TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT: LEADING STRATEGIES IN ASIAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a key strategy for sustainable urban planning, aimed at creating compact, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods around major public transport hubs. Although TOD originated in the West, it has found its most large-scale and innovative implementation in Asia, where high population density and rapid urbanization have demanded effective solutions for creating comfortable urban environments that meet modern requirements. Despite TOD’s origins and initial development in America, Asian countries have recently emerged as global leaders in pioneering advanced TOD strategies. This article examines the core principles of TOD, its evolution, and contemporary features in leading Asian economies: Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Japan. Key trends are analyzed, including deep integration of transport and urban development, financial sustainability, vertical density, and seamless pedestrian environments. Asia’s experience demonstrates that TOD not only solves transportation challenges but also fosters comfortable, economically viable, and eco-friendly urban spaces.