Social Impacts of Transit Oriented Development on Disadvantaged Communities

Research Team: Douglas Houston (lead) and Michelle E. Zuniga

UC Campus(es): UC Irvine

Problem Statement: Planners need tools to better understand the social and community impacts of transit-oriented development (TOD) so they can proactively address barriers and challenges to equitable sustainable development for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Although TOD can help achieve regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals and spur local revitalization, in some cases it results in gentrification and residential displacement of long-term residents. Fear of negative TOD impacts on housing affordability, neighborhood identify, and social cohesion have driven many community groups to forcefully oppose near-station developments and planners need new approaches for integrating community perspectives into the TOD planning process.

Project Description: This study surveyed residents regarding their perceptions (negative and positive) of neighborhood change and associated development along an existing commuter rail corridor and planned route of the new OC Streetcar in the City of Santa Ana, a largely low-income, Latinx community in central Orange County, California. A total of 329 surveys were collected between August and October 2019. Findings from this study include that on average residents are satisfied with neighborhood access to transport and amenities, and that higher neighborhood satisfaction was associated with a more positive assessment of development and neighborhood change. Residents living near the streetcar route had more negative assessments of change, reflecting heightened concerns about housing costs, displacement, and parking.

Status: Completed

Budget: $70,381