Typology of transit-oriented development to promote sustainable urban structure

Abstract Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) has emerged as a transformative strategy in sustainable urban planning, aiming to integrate land use and public transportation to foster compact, walkable, and mixed-use communities centered around high-capacity transit systems. This study explores the spatial characteristics of TOD along the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor in Tabriz, Iran—a rapidly growing metropolitan area facing challenges such as urban sprawl, traffic congestion, and inefficient land use. The analysis focuses on four fundamental dimensions of TOD: density, diversity, design, and distance to transit stations. A 600-meter buffer zone was delineated around each BRT station, following international TOD planning standards, to assess the spatial structure and performance of the corridor. Spatial analyses were conducted using ArcGIS, while K-means cluster analysis was performed in SPSS to classify and interpret TOD typologies. The findings indicate significant spatial heterogeneity in TOD indicators across the BRT network. Four distinct TOD typologies were identified, ranging from active TOD zones with high density and land-use mix to areas lacking TOD features entirely. The study highlights the uneven integration of transit infrastructure with surrounding land uses and identifies critical zones with potential for TOD-based redevelopment. By contextualizing TOD principles in a Middle Eastern urban setting, this research contributes to the global discourse on sustainable transport and urban structure. It offers practical insights for urban planners, local authorities, and policymakers seeking to improve land use efficiency, enhance transit accessibility, and promote balanced urban growth in developing cities.