Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a tool that aids in achieving sustainable urban development. It promotes economic, environmental, and social sustainability by integrating land use and transportation planning. Many researchers have investigated mass rapid transit (MRT) station regions for TOD in developed cities. However, in a developing city such as Dhaka, measuring node-based TOD (TOD index) during MRT construction has been disregarded in planning future land use. Furthermore, no prior research on quantitative TOD measurement in Dhaka exists. As a result, we developed a framework for both quantitative and spatial node-based TOD measurement based on the four Ds (density, diversity, destination accessibility, and design) of the TOD concept. With 17 stations under construction, MRT 6 was selected as our study area. The TOD index was measured by nine indicators based on the four criteria (4Ds), spatially in the geographic information system (GIS). After calculating the indicators, the TOD index for each station’s 800m buffer was estimated using the spatial multi-criteria analysis (SMCA). A sensitivity analysis of four TOD scenarios was performed to check the model’s robustness. Additionally, a heatmap of the TOD index for MRT 6 was created for informed planning and policymaking. Furthermore, statistically significant hotspots (both Getis Org Gi* and Anselen Local Moran Statistics) and hotspot clusters were identified. Finally, we illustrate the station-based ranking based on the maximum TOD score. In addition, a detailed spider-web of nine indicators for 17 stations depicts sustainable TOD planning. However, regarding density and diversity, sustainable development and (re)development policies should be implemented not only for MRT 6 but for all Dhaka’s TOD regions.

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a planning strategy that combines land use and transportation planning to promote economic, environmental, and social sustainability. While developed cities have embraced TOD, developing cities need to adopt it faster. This has resulted in a need for robust TOD measurement frameworks for developing countries. Furthermore, existing frameworks often use subjective weightage for different TOD indicators, which can lead to human biases. To address these issues, the authors aimed to develop a more robust and objective framework for measuring TOD in developing cities, particularly Dhaka, Bangladesh. The authors used density, diversity, destination accessibility, and design criteria to select eight indicators for measuring TOD. However, a buffer radius of 800 meters was taken for each of the 17 stations to calculate TOD. An objective-weighted spatial multi-criteria analysis (OSMCA) was used to evaluate the framework. The model’s robustness was assessed by analyzing the sensitivity of eight TOD scenarios and identifying hotspot clusters using statistical methods. Additionally, the authors ranked the stations based on the highest TOD score and compared TOD with developed and developing cities to gain planning insights. They proposed three different TOD planning methodologies for nodes that emphasize the importance of design, destination access, and density for (re)development, zoning, and affordable housing policies in Dhaka’s regions. Finally, the study discussed limitations and future research priorities.

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