What Is TOD?

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) refers to walkable, mixed-use communities around high-quality transit resources. TOD can provide many benefits to City residents, including increased transit ridership, economic development, better transportation choices, more housing choices, reduced traffic congestion, and greater environmental sustainability. TOD occurs through new construction, such as converting underutilized parking lots next to transit stations, or through the redevelopment and repurposing of existing structures. Transit oriented development is typically located within a half mile of a transit station, with the highest density and range of uses within a quarter mile of the transit station.

Downtown Clarendon, Virginia
Oracle Park in San Francisco
A trolley on a street in Portland, Oregon
A downtown plaza and trolley in Sacramento

TOD in Baltimore City 

Baltimore has an incredible opportunity to increase transit-accessible housing, retail, and neighborhood amenities. The areas around many transit stations are underutilized, including large parking lots and vacant buildings. The areas around many bus stops may also offer opportunities to diversify uses and better-connect residents to transit resources. Transportation is typically the second largest household expense. Therefore, one of the principles of equitable development is to provide access to most daily necessities and services, such as work, shopping, education, healthcare, and leisure, within a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or public transit ride from any point in the city. Locating new development in proximity to transit lines is one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal. 

You can read more about transit-oriented development in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Our Baltimore, Your Baltimore (TOD chapter starting on page 98, or throughout the recommendations, such as the Transportation Equity section that starts on page 357). 

TOD Workgroup

Starting in March of 2026, the Department of Planning is partnering with the Department of Transportation to coordinate an internal study of the City’s TOD-supportive policies and programs. Representatives from DOP, DOT, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Mayor’s Office of Infrastructure Development, will evaluate ways in which to improve planning, zoning, design, community engagement, financing, and development outcomes for Baltimore’s current and future TOD opportunities. Contact Caitlin.Audette@baltimorecity.gov for more information about the workgroup's current progress. 

Additional Resources