Building Connected Neighborhoods: The Case for Transit Oriented Development in Johnson County

​Imagine living in a neighborhood where you can walk to work, shop, or take the bus without needing a car. That vision is within reach for Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, but too many transit corridors remain locked into low density or single-use zoning. The result is predictable: land sits underused, and residents without cars are left with limited access to jobs, schools, and services.

Transit Oriented Development, or TOD, offers a way forward. By encouraging housing, shops, and services near transit, communities can reduce household costs and make daily life more convenient. This is especially important for students, low-income families, people with disabilities, and zero-car households.

The region has clear opportunities. Very highly suitable areas for TOD are prioritized into two tier systems. Tier 1 sites, such as downtown Iowa City and Coralville’s Oakdale area, are already zoned for mixed use development, which is a reason that TOD should be implemented in these locations. Tier 2 sites, like Iowa City’s South Side and North Liberty’s West Side, would require zoning changes but could provide long-term benefits if developed with transit in mind.

​The steps are straightforward: add more housing near bus routes and allow flexible zoning for mixed use projects.
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Transit Oriented Development is not only a planning strategy. It is a commitment to building communities that are accessible, affordable, and equitable. Johnson County leaders should make it a priority.
 
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