TOD BASED LAND USE PLANNING FOR OUTER RING ROAD OF SURAT CITY

The motivation for this report is to explore whether the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) principles, parameters and components can be applied and adapted in Indian cities with existing large populations and diverse land use patterns before the introduction of BRTS (bus rapid transit system). Since Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is a recent technique using certain parameters and components to create the desired high density development around transit, this report analyzed whether the same parameters and components are being used or are applicable to the areas around the recent transit systems in cities of India. Transit oriented policies for these cities were also analyzed. The TOD analysis for the Indian context concluded that at least some or all of the TOD components, Design, Density and Diversity exists in the areas around the transit stations. Although the population densities around the newly introduced transit systems may be adequate for transit ridership, accessibility to transit and multimodal connectivity is lacking. The proposed transit oriented strategies in India do address new high density development around the transit stations, investing in critical transportation infrastructure and better traffic and transportation management and parking management. Pedestrian safety and convenience are also addressed. The strategies do not address immediate and short term solutions for generating transit ridership and moving people away from private vehicles towards the use of public transportation. Therefore, the proposed strategies may not reduce congestion on an immediate and short term basis.