Evaluation of the potential for implementing Τransit Οriented Development policies. The case of the Thessaloniki metro system

Abstract

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is an urban development model that focuses on the structural and functional organization of space around public transport. In contrast to car-centric development that has led to overconsumption of land, traffic congestion, and accessibility problems, TOD promotes the use of public transportation and non-motorized modes of transportation, such as walking. Since the 1980s, TOD strategies have been the flagship of sustainable urban development policies, but their implementation has not always been effective. Issues such as urban gentrification, the increase in real estate prices, the creation of suburban-type residential areas and other types of problems became obstacles to the achievement of its original goals. To manage its implementation challenges, the use of preparedness indicators has been proposed, which assess the prospect of an area to successfully implement a TOD strategy, considering its urban and transport characteristics. This article attempts to develop a composite preparedness index by assessing elements such as land use mix, urban density, accessibility, mobility networks, and real estate market. The application of the composite indicator is carried out for selected transit stations of the Thessaloniki metro system, highlighting the necessity for spatially specific urban development policies, and the key role of the indicators in policy making.