Transit Oriented Development

Movement is created as long as development is on going. Development projects will require commuting and connectivity. People travel from residence to work place, to shops, to leisure, to amenities and to another residence. People are always on the move. The more we travel, the more we pay for it. To pay for the cost of fuel if motorised vehicle is used, the cost of damaging the facilities and polluting the environment, the cost of time spent, the cost of conflict between both meeting parties and etc. So, logically speaking, the least we travel, the least of cost that we need to pay directly or indirectly footed by others such as the environmental cost. Of course, some might argue that the least you travel, the least opportunities for you to make money and to enjoy life. Is this true? To certain extend yes, but...

The advancement of technology has actually made it possible to make money and to enjoy life without the need of travelling extensively. By making a call, by browsing the Internet, by writing an sms or e-mail, by sending an e-card, by paying via e-pay, by connecting to GPS; Your transactions, requests for information and sales are possibly done.

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is talking about creating a mixed uses and diversify neighbourhood which optimise the advantages of public transport and provide accessibility, connectivity and walkability. A strategically located transportation terminal is the prominent feature. It is a call to optimise the use of land resources and to reduce environmental damages by having efficient and effective system of commuting. Hence, the question of planning and execution in concurrent stage.

What will happen if ICT advancement is added to the Transit-oriented development? I presume, it is an alternative mean in reducing the physical travelling within TOD and replacing it with wired communication, a tool to live with ease and a possible solution to environmental degradation, and of course the price to pay for less human interaction and less mind working and greater dependency for machine to work is not small. Are we ready for it, the long term and with the public in mind? Do developers shared long term responsibility in making the TOD work, for example to provide necessary infrastructure? Do agencies ready to execute TOD concept, for example constructing the rail line before an area is developed? Do public prepare to change and to adapt to TOD in embracing the goodness, for example be environmental friendly and technology savvy? These need to be addressed.