| The concept of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is well known as an approach to connecting sustainable land-use with public transportation. In 2007 the Phoenix metropolitan area implemented a TOD Zoning Overlay District to encourage TOD in anticipation of the city's new light rail system. However, it remains unclear whether the TOD Zoning Overlay District and light rail have encouraged TOD along the corridor as expected. This study investigated TOD along the Valley Metro corridor, and analyzed the influence of the light rail and TOD Zoning Overlay District on development patterns, property values, and the connectivity between Valley Metro stations and adjacent communities. For this thesis, a landscape analysis was performed on three sample stations, and interviews were conducted with professionals in the fields of Planning, Transportation, and TOD. The results demonstrate that the Valley Metro light rail did not affect property values, and the TOD Zoning Overlay District did not influence land-use or encourage TOD along the corridor. |
