Sam MFollow

Date of Award

Summer 2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Administration (DPA)

Department

Public Policy and Administration

Committee Chairperson

Kristen B. Crossney, Ph.D

Committee Member

Dottie Ives Dewey, Ph.D

Committee Member

Allison H. Turner, Ph.D

Abstract

The problem explored in this mixed-method research is that many cities are unprepared for urban growth, which can only increase poverty and crime. The traditional transportation system is inadequate to support the increase of urbanism; it is responsible for polluting the air, increasing greenhouse gases, and losing thousands of lives annually due to car crashes and road-related accidents. The transportation sector is responsible for 28% of the overall greenhouse gas emissions (Environmental Protection Agency, 2018), and the economic costs of vehicle crashes in the United States totaled $340 billion (Department of Transportation, 2019).

This study aimed to measure how Transit Oriented Development (TOD) impacts rent cost, vehicle ownership, population growth, unemployment rate, and housing unit cost in a TOD area and compared the economic impact of a TOD community to a similar non-TOD community. Statistical analysis tests found statistically significant correlations between land use policies, unemployment rate, salary, rent, and population growth. The study concluded urban policies played a crucial role in shaping the Tysons region and led to enhancing economic development, decreased vehicle ownership, and lowered monthly rent when compared to a non-TOD comparable region. The study recommends that municipalities adopt flexible zoning policies and start by creating a TOD policy to lay the foundation of the objectives, goals, scope, and implementation plans of TOD projects. Cities must seek and foster partnerships with the private sector to strengthen opportunities to attain grants and technical expertise.

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