Miami – Miami-Dade County, a region characterized by urban sprawl and environmental conservation areas, is confronting an affordability crisis, limited public transit, and insufficient housing to support its growing population and economy. London, despite being a densely populated urban environment with a complex transportation network, faces similar challenges. Both locales have successfully implemented transit-oriented communities (TOCs) to address these issues, aligning with local sustainability and equity goals.
According to World Economic Forum, TOCs, while not a new concept, are being scaled up to meet modern demands for density, resilience, and affordability. This involves innovative funding, integrated land-use and transport planning, public-private partnerships, and streamlined planning processes.
Miami-Dade County, comprising 34 cities, operates within a complex federal and state system in the US, which has at times hindered its progress in developing affordable transportation and housing infrastructure. To address traffic congestion and climate change, the county is focusing on mixed-use urban centers that are walkable, connected by premium transit corridors, and designed for resilience and energy efficiency.
The Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) program in Miami-Dade County reduces planning-to-implementation time for public transport expansion. Recent policies have encouraged more TOCs, introducing affordable and workforce-oriented housing units. The county is also progressing with the Better Bus Network (BBN), a reimagined bus service developed with public and private community stakeholders.
These initiatives have increased Miami-Dade Transit ridership, showing a 101% recovery from pre-COVID levels across all four transit modes. The county also unveiled the Link at Douglas, a 7-acre master-planned development transforming the Douglas Road Metrorail Station into a mixed-use transit hub, a public-private sector partnership featuring residential towers and public infrastructure improvements.
In London, the redevelopment of the iconic Battersea Power Station is a prime example of transit as a tool for urban regeneration. The Greater London Authority created an Enterprise Zone to finance the extension of the London Underground’s Northern line to Battersea, using a tax increment financing scheme. The £9-billion regeneration of Battersea Power Station has brought shops, housing, office space, and rapid transit connection to the area. When complete, it will provide over 18,000 new homes (4,000 affordable) and up to 25,000 new jobs.
For successful TOCs, public authorities play a crucial role in context-dependent planning. Investments in infrastructure need to be tailored to regional needs, with clear building regulations prioritizing community hubs. Design-based codes ensure desired outcomes for the built environment, allowing a mix of uses. Phasing can reduce financing challenges and adapt to market demands, while tax increment financing and master planning with resident input provide stability.
Both Miami-Dade and London demonstrate that there is no singular ‘best’ method for development that addresses sustainability and infrastructure needs. However, clear design specifications and regeneration visions aligned with long-term infrastructure planning are essential for creating equitable and thriving communities.