Houston Transit Oriented Development

Location

Houston, Texas

Organization(s)

Texas Southern University, Houston Tomorrow, Baylor College of Medicine

Texas Southern University conducted an HIA to examine the health impacts of possible development patterns that could occur in the neighborhood near a planned station on a 30-mile, five-corridor light rail expansion. Transit-oriented development generally includes high-density housing and a mix of shopping choices near transit stops in order to encourage use of public transportation. The HIA examined potential health impacts that could result from the creation of city ordinances and incentives to promote transit-oriented development in the rail corridors, with a focus on one stop as an example. Increased access to public transportation and services, mixed-use land development and affordable housing are among the potential outcomes of transit-oriented development that could ultimately benefit health. The HIA found that a health-driven composite transit oriented development iniative would likely have a positive impact on health by slowing the onset of preventable diseases and positively affecting access to health care, opportunities for education, and employment.