Transit oriented development and people : a study of the socio-economic patterns emerging in the transit influence zone of Anand Vihar metro station

Abstract

Transit-Oriented Development in India is a fast-growing phenomenon with over 14 major cities in the country adopting it in their city Master Plans and other emerging cities planning to adopt it in the coming years. The prevalence and popularity of TOD as a planning tool is gaining traction but its implications in the Indian scenario, including most of the developing world, are unmapped. The current disposition is compelling a rushed implementation of TOD, throttling into uncharted territory. This research attempts to conduct a brief socio economic study of one such TOD influence zone in the wide and dense network of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation at the Anand Vihar Metro Station.

The outcomes reveal the presence of certain patterns of homogenisation in the TOD Influence Zone, characterised by economic factors such as income levels, property values, occupation etc. The study also indicates towards a scarcity of government interventions in the sphere of TOD vis-a-vis equity and inclusivity. It is therefore recommended that TOD be implemented not merely as an urban planning strategy, but also as a policy paradigm that encourages environmental, economic, and social sustainability.