With the release of the TOD Standard 2.0 in November 2013, ITDP updated the guidelines and metrics for best practices in transport oriented development and kicked off the process of applying the new scorecard to urban development. The TOD Standard is an assessment, recognition and policy tool focused on integrating sustainable transport and land use planning and design. By quantifying planning and design performance, such as distance from mass transit or level of pedestrian accessibility, the Standard can be used to evaluate and benchmark completed projects against global best practice.

ITDP’s next step will be evaluating interesting, completed projects using the TOD Scorecard. For a development to be scored, it must meet several criteria. The Standard is intended to apply to projects spanning at least two blocks (e.g. multiple buildings with a through street or publicly accessible pedestrian passage between them). Developments should be planned or designed under a single authority (e.g. one government agency or private developer), and should have been completed within the past 20 years. For example, eligible projects include developments like Central Saint Giles, in London, UK, Jianwai Soho, in Beijing, China, or the Pearl District, Portland, Oregon, USA. ITDP is excited to apply the Standard to innovative, interesting projects in a diversity of urban contexts.

The TOD Standard is poised to become a powerful tool in establishing best practices in transit oriented development. By looking at projects around the world and in a variety of development contexts, we can reinforce the message that good developments help people and help their cities, making their environment a safer, healthier and happier place to live.

If you have suggestions for developments you would like to see scored, contact mariane.jang@itdp.org or tweet @ITDP_HQ using hashtag #itdpScoreThis