Transforming Your City with Transit: Lessons from Kansas City
Billions of dollars in economic development thanks to transit
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) could be the most important policy/planning initiative of the 21st century. As cities around the world run out of room to build and expand outward, densification is the new growth trend. Put more people in less space and put more services close to where people are living to make better use of the space available.
And a cornerstone of densification is TOD.
Before he became CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), Frank White, III led the agency’s TOD program. Frank looked at land that could be better used for mixed use development–with transit at the heart of it–and brought homes, businesses, and services to them. Now as CEO, Frank is pushing KCATA and leaders in the two-state, seven-county region to help the agency live up to its original mandate of managing regional transportation and development.
And it seems to be working.
With cornerstones like KCATA’s MAX BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) and KC Streetcar’s streetcar system, Frank and his team are connecting areas of the city together and generating billions of dollars in economic development.
How did he do it?
You’ll just have to listen to find out.
Transit Unplugged TV: What’s awesome about Tulsa? BRT!
While at the SWTA (South West Transit Association) conference, Paul asked a few folks what could make transit in Tulsa even better. What do you think would make transit better in your city?
Frequency? Microtransit? Light rail? Maybe even flying cars!
Each episode of Transit Unplugged TV gives you a look into a different city’s transit successes and challenges. Maybe you’ll pick up some ideas from another part of the country or the world.
Coming up this month we’ll have the second installment of the BBQ showdown with Kansas City! Watch for the trailer next week for a sneak peek.
