Enhancing neighborhood functionality through transit-oriented design, a study of sustainable development, proximity, and mobility

This study evaluates transit-oriented development (TOD) around Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates station to curb sprawl, reduce car dependence, and shorten trips. A geo-spatial baseline was assembled by digitizing vector data in GIS, producing land-use shapefiles from satellite imagery, and validating features with Google Earth and OpenStreetMap. Field observations supported audits of walkability, block structure, and transit accessibility. Spatial analysis quantified public-realm gains by calculating areas for parking and green spaces and by testing block permeability and route continuity. Land-use shapefiles were created to generate existing conditions maps and benchmark scenarios. Findings indicate that the Al Barsha station area combines diverse uses, active frontages, and proximity to services, yet exhibits gaps in continuous sidewalks, limited safe crossings, and coarse blocks. The design package recommends parking lots totaling 12,000 m²; a linear green spine of 17,900 m²; pedestrian walkways covering 16,000 m²; two cul-de-sacs measuring 2.68 km each; and an active corridor of 5.08 km to support cycling and local connectivity. Together, these elements rebalance street space, prioritise people over vehicles, and strengthen access to transit. Overall, the proposals operationalise TOD principles compact form and pedestrian networks advancing the MOE precinct toward an accessible and safe urban environment aligned with international best practice. Transit-oriented development (TOD) has emerged as a strategic approach to counter urban sprawl, reduce automobile dependence, and minimize excessive commuting. This study explores TOD principles within the Mall of the Emirates (MOE) station area in Dubai, assessing walkability, connectivity, transit accessibility, mixed-use intensity, mode shift potential, and spatial compactness. Drawing on established framework, our methods encompass field surveys, GIS-based satellite imagery, and official planning documents to deliver a comprehensive site assessment. This study established that MOE station neighborhood (Al Barsha) demonstrates strengths in land use diversity, ground-level activity, and proximity to local services, it lacks continuous pedestrian routes, safe crossings, and appropriately scaled blocks. Findings proposed several key design elements, including Parking Lots (12,000 m²), a Green Spine (17,900 m²), Pedestrian Walkways (16,000 m²), two Cul-de-sacs each measuring (2,676 m/2.68 km), and an Active Corridor (5,076 m/5.08 km) for cycling and neighborhood connectivity. These proposals will help to fully realize TOD’s potential, reconfiguring streetscapes, bolstering pedestrian infrastructure, and balancing public and private transport provisions are recommended. Such refinements will ensure that this critical transit node evolves into a optimize neighborhood functionality, fostering a more accessible, dynamic, and environmentally sustainable urban environment, aligning with global best practices in TOD.