Working for Smart Growth:
More Livable Places and Open Spaces

 

Transit Issues

Public transportation is a critical component of smart growth. By allowing people to travel without a car, transit supports vibrant, walkable communities that offer access to jobs and amenities for all people, not just those with cars.

New Jersey is fortunate to have one of the most extensive transit systems in the country, including commuter rail, buses, light rail, subways and ferries. That network helps power the state’s economy by giving millions access to jobs, goods and services, while also helping reduce auto congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. It is vital that appropriate investments in this system continue to be made, especially as the state’s transit-rich cities continue to revitalize, in order to keep New Jersey economically competitive.

New Jersey Future Blog
Transit-Oriented Development Is Popular, but Won’t Happen by Itself

Westfield Northside Town Square rendering from the Lord & Taylor / Train Station Redevelopment Plan which was a 2023 Smart Growth Award recipient.
New Jersey’s transit towns are experiencing something of a revival in the last decade and a half. This is an important positive development, since transit-oriented development (TOD) advances multiple societal goals. For example, […]

Creating Safe Communities and Options for Walk-Bike-Ride Transportation in New Jersey

“Every decision about transportation is an opportunity to build a clean, healthy, and more prosperous future,” declared Christopher Coes, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as he provided prepared remarks to open the session “Delivering Walk-Bike-Ride Transportation in New Jersey” at the 2023 Planning and Redevelopment Conference co-hosted by the NJ Chapter of the American Planning Association and New Jersey Future.

Next Stop: Transit Friendly Communities and TOD Opportunities

Transit-friendly planning is a proactive, transit-focused approach developed by NJ Transit that is applicable to any community. Transit-friendly planning and transit-oriented development (TOD) are important components of smart growth because they allow people to live, work and play without having to rely on a car.

Helping NJ Drive Less: The Need to Dedicate Funding to Transit and Safe Streets

Electric vehicles are great, but they won’t reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector fast enough, nor will they do anything to alleviate congestion. This past October, the United Nations published the Emissions Gap Report 2022, declaring that an important action for the transportation sector is to “integrate land use and transportation planning to prioritize public transit over private automobiles.”

Transit-Oriented Development is Pedestrian-Oriented Development

Despite being the most densely populated state in the country with over 150 train station towns, New Jersey is not a safe place for pedestrians of any age. In our effort to reduce car dependency, increase pedestrian safety, and encourage placemaking that serves the public, NJ ended 2022 with several announcements designating funds for advancing pedestrian and bicycle safety and transit-oriented development (TOD), indicating that the administration recognizes the importance of creating and fostering transportation options besides driving.

Articles and Stories
Condominiums and Artists Spaces in an Old Hat Factory

2016 Smart Growth Awards: The F. Berg Hat Factory Complex in Orange will be redeveloped into residences and artists spaces, and will serve as an anchor to the Valley Arts District.

Creating Places To Age in New Jersey

There is a significant mismatch in New Jersey between where large numbers of older residents live and which municipalities are most prepared to accommodate them. This report matches every municipality against four age-friendliness indicators, and analyzes the degree to which New Jersey’s older residents are living in places that, from a land-use perspective, are not prepared to accommodate their changing needs. January 2014.

Targeting Transit: Assessing Development Opportunities Around New Jersey’s Transit Stations

New Jersey has 243 transit facilities, ranging from small single-track stations to major multi-line hubs. The unique characteristics of each station, of its immediate neighborhood, and of its surrounding municipality mean that a wide variety of development strategies should be brought to bear in order to maximize each location’s potential. This report shows how data assembled by New Jersey Future can be used to make decisions on how to target various kinds of transit-oriented development efforts. September 2012.

New Residents Help Revitalize an Older Suburb

2016 Smart Growth Awards: A new multi-use building comprising retail, rental apartments and a parking garage, will bring an influx of new residents near Bloomfield’s train station.

2012 Smart Growth Award Winners

Two plans, an innovative zoning code, a feasibility study and three projects are winners of New Jersey Future’s 2012 Smart Growth Awards. Joseph M. Taylor receives the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

See all New Jersey Future Blog posts and articles in this category »
 

Reports, Presentations and Testimony

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