CTS-México hosted a workshop about sustainable transit-oriented development. Photo by CTS-México.

CTS-México helped local authorities and land developers develop comprehensive strategies for sustainable transportation and urban planning at the federal, municipal, and local level during a workshop held on July 24 about sustainable transport-oriented development.

Team members of the Public Space Authority (AEP), an organization established in September 2008 by the city government, attended the workshop, led by CTS-México Assistant Director Salvador Hernandez, with support from Alejandra Rangel and Laura Janka, experts in mobility and urban development.

Felipe Leal, former director of the Faculty of Architecture of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), said transit-oriented development is a useful tool that can help advance the Mexico City government's goal to link urban planning with sustainable development.

Creating public spaces and building infrastructure for walking, cycling and public transport are pillars of transit-oriented development, CTS-México experts explained. These principles have the potential to be key elements in city projects, like the revitalization of the Plaza de Garibaldi, Plaza de la República, and bridge repair projects.

At the workshop, CTS-México staff emphasized the following TOD principles:

1. Maximizing local travel by walking and cycling, in an environment that is comfortable, safe and attractive.
2. Connecting neighborhoods and making the most of regional travel via public transport that is convenient, efficient and accessible.
3. Promoting public life through spaces that promote social interaction through pedestrian and bicycle accessibility.
4. Promoting economic activity and housing through land use that creates a dense and diverse built environment with good design.
5. Creating efficient relationships between public space and the built environment through active ground-level floors that promote social interaction.
6. Building safe and enjoyable environments through the rational use of cars.
7. Building a strong social fabric by establishing neighborhood identity and promoting safe and just environments.