Assessing Transit-Oriented Development Impact on Community Livability in Metro City

Thesis Abstract

Urban centers worldwide are increasingly implementing transit-oriented development (TOD) as a strategy to promote sustainable urban growth, improve access to transit services, and enhance overall community livability. However, the extent to which TOD initiatives positively influence social, economic, and environmental dimensions of community wellbeing remains underexplored in the context of Metro City. This study aims to comprehensively assess the impacts of TOD on community livability, focusing on infrastructural accessibility, safety, social cohesion, economic vitality, and environmental quality within selected TOD and non-TOD neighborhoods. The specific objectives include evaluating residents' perceptions of livability, measuring actual infrastructural and environmental changes, identifying factors influencing livability improvements due to TOD, and providing policy recommendations for optimizing TOD initiatives. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach anchored on a convergent parallel design. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to a sample of 600 residents across six selected neighborhoods—three identified as TOD zones and three as non-TOD control zones—using stratified random sampling. The questionnaire measured perceptions of community livability indicators such as safety, accessibility, social interaction, housing affordability, and environmental quality. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including urban planners, local government officials, and community leaders, to gain in-depth insights into development processes and challenges. The validity and reliability of the survey instrument were established through pilot testing, Cronbach’s alpha analysis (values exceeding 0.8), and expert review. Data analysis involved multiple techniques. Descriptive statistics summarized residents’ perceptions, while inferential analysis employed t-tests and ANOVA to compare livability indicators between TOD and non-TOD neighborhoods. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify determinants of perceived community livability, with variables including proximity to transit stations, infrastructural upgrades, and socioeconomic characteristics. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative interview transcripts following Braun and Clarke’s framework, revealing common themes around social cohesion, safety, and environmental benefits linked to TOD. Additionally, a modified version of the Theory of Sustainable Urban Livability guided the interpretation of findings, emphasizing the interaction between physical development and community wellbeing. Preliminary expectations suggest that TOD neighborhoods exhibit significantly higher levels of perceived accessibility, safety, and social interaction, alongside improvements in environmental sustainability metrics, compared to non-TOD areas. However, challenges such as rising housing costs and displacement risks may offset some livability gains. The findings are anticipated to contribute novel insights into the nuanced impacts of TOD in a developing metropolitan context, bridging gaps in existing literature by integrating residents’ perceptions, quantitative infrastructural assessments, and policy analysis. The study underscores that effective TOD enhances community livability through integrated planning that prioritizes social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunities. It recommends adopting inclusive, participatory planning processes, implementing affordable housing policies in TOD zones, and fostering community engagement to sustain livability benefits. The research concludes that strategic TOD implementation can serve as a pivotal tool for sustainable urban transformation in Metro City, balancing infrastructural development with community-centered approaches. Future investigations are suggested to longitudinally monitor livability outcomes and explore the scalability of best practices identified within this study to other urban contexts.