Is transit-oriented development (TOD) an internationally transferable policy concept?

Abstract

Many cities and regions have embraced the concept of transit-oriented development (TOD). This paper explores how transfer of TOD as a policy concept impacts its implementation in the Netherlands. The study determined international policy ideas and tools that have contributed to implementation and tested them with Dutch experts using workshops, serious gaming and design charrettes. The findings suggest a number of factors complicating policy transfer, and that 'softer' transferable lessons (e.g., good actor relationships, information sharing) are much more difficult to transfer than 'harder' technical tools. Using policy lessons and tools in learning exercises helps to develop contextually appropriate policy solutions.

Introduction: drawing lessons from international policy-transfer initiatives in regional and urban development and spatial planning

“…They demonstrate the crucial importance of negative lessons in the process of learning from abroad (Dunlop, 2009;Evans, 2006), i.e., of learning about what not to do (Miao, 2018, in this issue; Thomas et al, 2018, in this issue). The transfer process is 'creative'; it is not about copying and adopting the senders' solutions, but requires actual learning and adaptation to the given context.…”

“…Related to this is the role of the motivation of both sides of the transfer process: when there is perception of gains on both sides, recipient and sender, this tends to facilitate engagement. Such gains can relate to concrete incentives, such as the presence of funding opportunities for the initiatives launched by the transfer process (Dąbrowski et al, 2018, in this issue;Ertugal, 2018, in this issue; Thomas et al, 2018, in this issue) or be less tangible or seemingly outside the scope of the transfer itself (Dąbrowski et al, 2018, in this issue). This, in turn, points to the importance of the embeddedness of transfer activities in a wider strategic partnership, reaching out to other policy areas and shaping long-term goals, and of the presence of an 'eco-system' for transfer, inclusive not only of platforms and normative conditions but also of networks of actors who can drive the process, 'territorialize' it (Miao, 2018, in this issue) and create the conditions for the implementation of the ideas and practices being imported.…”

“…The transfer process is 'creative'; it is not about copying and adopting the senders' solutions, but requires actual learning and adaptation to the given context. This includes avoiding the mistakes of others, as well as improving the original practices where possible (Dolowitz & Marsh, 2000;Stead 2012, cited in Thomas et al, 2018, in this issue). Learning, even without a lack of tangible outcomes, can be an aspect of success as such.…”

“…As illustrated in the examples discussed by Thomas et al (2018, in this issue), the success of policy-transfer initiatives may be enhanced by the mobilization of professionals from outside government who can provide the specialist skills needed to overcome barriers and act as 'transfer brokers' supporting policy-makers in their journey from abstract (ideas) to applied learning (implementation). Experts external to the administration can bring in techniques that are novel to the specific policy or context (e.g., gaming simulations and design charrettes, as discussed by Thomas et al, 2018, in this issue) and facilitate communication among actors whose mindsets are different culturally, disciplinarily and institutionally.…”

Transit-Oriented Development Policies and Station Area Development in Asian Cities

“…Many studies and policy documents discuss the guidelines for TOD policies. Based on a careful examination of the existing documents, Figure 1 summarizes the key issues concerning TOD policies (Ditmar and Ohland 2003;Curtis, Renne, and Bertlini 2009;Salat and Ollivier 2017;Thomas et al 2018).…”