Transit-oriented development

In urban planning, a transit-oriented development (TOD) is a type of urban development that maximises the amount of residential, business and leisure space within walking distance of the public transport. In doing so, TODs aims to increase the public transport ridership by reducing the usage of cars and by promoting sustainable urban growth.

A TOD typically includes a central transit stop (such as a train station, light rail or bus stop) surrounded by a high-density mixed-use area with lower density areas spreading out from its center. A TOD is also typically to be walkable than other built-up areas through using smaller block sizes and reducing space dedicated to automobiles.

The densest areas of a TOD are normally located within a radius of 400m to 800m around the central transit stop as this is considered to be an appropriate scale for pedestrians, thus solving the last minute problem. Generally, in Singapore it is considered "integrated hubs" or "integrated transport hubs" (ITH).

TOD areas

 * Ang Mo Kio (AMK Hub)
 * Bedok (Bedok Mall)
 * Bishan (Junction 8)
 * Bugis (Bugis Junction, Bugis+)
 * Bukit Batok (West Mall)
 * Bukit Panjang (Bukit Panjang Plaza, Hillion Mall)
 * Choa Chu Kang (Lot One)
 * City Hall (Raffles City)
 * Clementi (Clementi Mall)
 * Dhoby Ghaut (Plaza Singapura)
 * Expo (Changi City Point)
 * Farrer Park (City Square Mall)
 * Hougang (Hougang Mall)
 * Joo Koon (FairPrice Hub)
 * Jurong East (IMM, Jem, JCube, Westgate, Big Box)
 * Jurong West (Jurong Point)
 * Kovan (Heartland Mall)
 * Lavender (V Hotel Lavender)
 * Novena (Novena Square, Square 2)
 * Orchard (ION Orchard)
 * Pasir Ris (White Sands)
 * Paya Lebar (Paya Lebar Square, One KM, Paya Lebar Quarter)
 * Punggol (Waterway Point)
 * Sembawang (Sun Plaza)
 * Sengkang (Compass One)
 * Serangoon (NEX)
 * Simei (East Point Mall)
 * Somerset (313 @ Somerset, Orchard Gateway, Orchard Central)
 * Tampines (Tampines Mall, Century Square, Tampines 1, New Tampines City)
 * Tanjong Pagar (Tanjong Pagar Centre)
 * Tiong Bahru (Tiong Bahru Plaza)
 * Toa Payoh (HDB Hub)
 * Woodlands (Causeway Point)
 * Yishun (Northpoint City)

Equity and housing cost concerns
One criticism of transit-oriented development is that it has the potential to spur gentrification in low-income areas. In some areas, TODs can raise the housing costs of formerly affordable neighbourhoods, pushing low and medium-income households further away from jobs and transit. When this happens, TOD projects can disrupt low-income neighbourhoods.

When executed with equity in mind, however, TOD has the potential of benefitting low and medium-income (LMI) communities. It can link workers to employment centres, create construction and maintenance jobs, and has the potential to encourage investment in the areas that has suffered neglect and economic depression. Moreover, it is well recognised that neighbourhood development restrictions,