Welcome to the November edition of the Surbon Signal.

This month, I am covering Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) which has been the subject of some recent presentations, share a curated mobility reading list, and highlight upcoming events.

1. Transport-Oriented Development: What It Is, What Good Looks Like, and Three Practical Steps to Embed It

Transport-Oriented Development (TOD), or Transit-Oriented Development in North America, is emerging as a central organising principle for future mobility. As governments face rising operating costs, ambitious decarbonisation targets, and a growing need for inclusive growth, TOD offers a framework to ensure public transport investment delivers long-lasting economic, environmental, and social value. Global case studies—from Vienna’s Aspern Seestadt to integrated hubs in Paris, London, and Toronto—show that the question is no longer whether TOD matters, but how to embed it effectively and affordably in real projects.

1a.What TOD Actually Is

There are number of different definitions of TOD but at its heart, TOD places high-quality public transport at the heart of urban growth. It brings daily life - jobs, homes, retail, education, parks -closer to stations so people naturally choose walking, cycling, and public transport over private cars. Key benefits include:

Sustainable mobility through significant mode shift (C40 estimates a 16–20% reduction in transport-related carbon emissions).

Financial resilience via increased ridership, land-value uplift, and mixed-use development.

Social equity, ensuring access to opportunity and supporting affordable housing.

Health and wellbeing through active travel and people-first design.

In essence, TOD is both a land-use strategy and a mobility transformation tool.

1b. What “Good” TOD Looks Like

Global best practice consistently features: Integrated land-use + transport planning Cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Copenhagen align density, zoning, and transport from the start—never treating transport as an isolated engineering project. High-density, mixed-use development Vienna’s Aspern Seestadt is a standout example: 240 hectares, 20,000 residents, 20,000 workplaces, and a mode-share target of 40% public transport and 40% walking/cycling. Universal accessibility and active mobility Stations become civic anchors with direct walking routes, continuous cycling infrastructure, and well-designed public realm. Reduced car dependency Parking is carefully managed, limited, and priced to encourage low-car living. Aligned governance and funding London’s Elizabeth Line and Paris’ Grand Paris Express show the impact of strong governance combined with development levies, betterment taxes, and public–private partnerships. Inclusive outcomes Affordable housing, gender-sensitive design, and meaningful community engagement help ensure TOD benefits are shared—avoiding displacement and inequity.

1c. Three Practical Steps to Embed TOD in Projects

1. Hardwire TOD Objectives Into Project Briefs and Procurement Most TOD failures stem from treating TOD as an optional “add-on”. Instead: Make TOD outcomes mandatory as part of project requirements (density, accessibility, land-value capture, active travel) depending on the local context. Use the shift to MAT (Most Advantageous Tender) to prioritise social value, sustainability, and urban integration—not just price. Require bidders to demonstrate TOD delivery in design, construction, and operations.

2. Include TOD in Project Governance Model TOD spans planning, housing, transport, environment, finance, and economic development. Practical steps include: Create station-area working groups with authority over zoning, permitting, and phasing. Align transport authorities and developers before detailed design. Use mixed funding models—development contributions, levies, land value capture—to reinvest value locally.

3. Prioritise Early Wins Around Stations TOD takes 10–20 years, but visible progress can start immediately: Upgrade walking and cycling links within 500 - 800m of transport stations. Activate stations with pop-up retail, coworking, events, or leisure uses. Pilot affordable housing, micromobility hubs, or temporary public spaces to signal momentum. Early wins build confidence, attract investment, and demonstrate that TOD is happening, not just planned.

2. Curated Reading List

A few standout reads this month: 🚉 TOD Potential in Oxfordshire — A bold 15-year plan to enhance rail capacity and unlock station-area development opportunities across the county.👉 Read the article

🚆 Sleeper trains: Switzerland to Sweden A new cross-border night train route connecting two of Europe’s most scenic regions. 👉 Read the article 🌿

MIT Senseable Lab — RE-LEAF Global Initiative, A fascinating global project rethinking how cities can embed nature-led cooling solutions. 👉 Explore the project 🐠

Coral reef regeneration partnership (EAD & ENEC) A large-scale effort to cultivate 500,000 new coral reefs—an inspiring environmental partnership. 👉 Read the announcement ​

3. Upcoming Events

I am really looking forward to attending and speaking on TOD at UITP MENA Conference 2025 this week in Kuwait and hearing about transport news and trends from across the MENA region and beyond.

If you’d like to connect at the event or discuss your next project, you can schedule a meeting here.​

Looking for more insights like these?

Try my free Transport Bidding Roadmap email course — five days of focused, practical advice.
👉 transportbiddingroadmap.com​

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