Development Plan - City of Playford - SA.Gov.au

“Sidewalks not only provide a circulation network for pedestrians, but also can serve as a
neighbourhood meeting place and play area for children. In general sidewalks should be
provided on both sides of the street.” p 40 Residential Streets 3 rd Edition ULI, NAHB,
ASCE, ITE 2002
“Design safe, accessible footpaths….ideally on both sides of the street” p 8 Healthy By
Design – a planner’s guide to environments for active living. Heart Foundation 2004
3.3 Transport Oriented Development (TOD)
Reconnecting Perth: The Cross-Portfolio Transit Oriented Development Program, describes the
concept of TOD as follows:
‘TOD refers to a mixed-use community with a central node of activity, located within an average
800 metres walking distance of a transit stop.
“TODs mix residential, retail, office, open space and public uses in a walkable environment,
making it convenient for residents and employees to travel by transit, bicycle, foot or car.”
(Calthorpe, 1993, p.56).
Aside from the obvious focus on the transit station, TOD also places significant emphasis on a
high degree of variety in the urban form; with a relatively dense mix of land uses located within
close proximity (10-minute walk) to transit. Accumulated research and experience from around
the world indicates that a railway station has the potential to have a profound impact on
development within its precinct. In general, the influence of commuter rail stations on property
and on train ridership is most marked within 400m walking distance, remains strong to 800m
and can extend to beyond 1km. These dimensions define the station catchment area for walkon
ridership’
Reconnecting Perth outlines the following key reasons for encouraging TOD:
A new rail station is likely to have the following medium and long-term effects:
• an increase in property values. Accumulated research shows that the value of houses in
close proximity to a rail station can be increased for every metre closer to the station.
• increased viability for higher density and higher quality residential development;
• improved viability for expanded commercial development and economic activity.
The benefits of TOD include:
• social sustainability: sense of place, mix of uses and housing densities to accommodate a
diversity of residents. Improved access and mobility for all age groups and lower income
residents, without the need for or reliance on private vehicle use, can help to reduce social
isolation;
• economic sustainability: encourages affordable housing, reduced car dependence with
private cost implications, increased transit ridership and less operational subsidy, more
efficient use of existing infrastructure and reduced infrastructure/development costs;
• environmental sustainability: Context for higher densities and more compact urban form
resulting in less sprawl and therefore reduced urban encroachment into natural bush and
agricultural land. Reduced car usage has associated reductions in greenhouse gas
emissions, energy use and congestion and traffic trauma.
The draft Cheltenham Park DPA provides recent reference to the concepts of TOD. The following
text is quoted from this DPA:
TOD is generally defined as development undertaken within walking distance of public transport
in a manner that improves the accessibility and attractiveness of public transport
Playford North DPA -36-
Jul 08
Final DPA 20 August 08.doc Version 3