Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 27, 2025
Stantec Architect Drives Florida's Transit-Oriented Development Revolution
TLDR
- Stantec's transit-oriented development expertise offers developers reduced parking costs, expedited approvals, and density incentives to capitalize on Florida's urban growth opportunities.
- TOD integrates mixed-use zoning with transit hubs using placemaking and shared parking to create walkable communities within half-mile radii of stations.
- Transit-oriented developments create affordable housing, reduce traffic congestion, and build connected communities that improve quality of life and workforce mobility.
- Florida's climate makes TOD ideal, with transit proximity providing comfort in humid months and encouraging walking and biking during mild weather.
Impact - Why it Matters
Transit-oriented development represents a critical solution to Florida's growing transportation and housing challenges, directly impacting residents' quality of life and economic opportunities. As urban populations continue to expand, TOD offers a sustainable alternative to car-dependent sprawl, reducing traffic congestion, lowering transportation costs for families, and creating more walkable, livable communities. The integration of affordable housing incentives through programs like the Live Local Act means more Floridians can access housing near job centers and transit, addressing the state's affordability crisis. For developers and investors, these projects unlock new opportunities in growing urban markets while contributing to more sustainable, resilient cities. The shift toward transit-oriented development also supports environmental goals by reducing carbon emissions and promoting more efficient land use patterns that preserve natural areas and reduce urban heat island effects.
Summary
Arturo Vasquez, a principal and senior architect at Stantec with over 37 years of experience, is leading transformative transit-oriented development (TOD) projects across Florida through his work at the firm's Miami office. His recent projects include the Fort Lauderdale Searstown high-density mixed-use residential development, the 79th and Biscayne mid-rise multifamily in Miami, and the Homestead Triangle transit district mixed-use development project. Vasquez emphasizes that TOD provides an alternative to isolated developments by promoting cohesive growth along key corridors connected to transit hubs, increasing ridership while reducing traffic and inefficient land use.
The integration of Florida's Live Local Act with TOD sites creates a successful formula for incentivizing increased housing affordability and densities with expedited growth paths in transit-served areas. Stantec's expertise in affordable housing, local zoning, and transit-related sites enables them to educate developers on effectively integrating these incentives. The recent legal approval of unsolicited proposals to public transit agencies further accelerates development by unlocking growth quickly through public-private partnerships without lengthy RFP processes.
Florida's unique geography and climate make it particularly suited for TODs, with networks like Brightline and rapid transit bus corridors connecting key cities efficiently. These developments support Florida's climate patterns by providing pedestrian comfort during hot, humid months and encouraging walking and biking during mild months. Stantec's approach to cohesive TOD master planning begins with placemaking, creating significant public spaces where retail, housing, commerce, and strategic parking integrate seamlessly with transit infrastructure to create walkable, connected communities that drive economic growth.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Stantec Architect Drives Florida's Transit-Oriented Development Revolution
