The big idea: Build around transit

What it means, and why it's a good thing:

In its simplest form, transit-oriented development means that if you want to build up neighborhoods and businesses, you have to recognize transit as a key element. Rising gas prices, a growing concern for the environment and a renewed interest in urban living has moved transit from a government priority to a priority for savvy developers.

Transit-oriented development - or TOD as it's called in planning and design circles - creates mixed-use and high-density developments that rely less on automobiles for transportation, and features pedestrian-friendly design.

Placing residential developments near transit hubs not only reduces traffic congestion and pollution but also makes neighborhoods safer, more livable and more sustainable.

How does Philadelphia stack up?

Unfortunately, decades of decentralization and neglect have left areas around many of Philadelphia's transit stops underdeveloped. Despite having one of the five largest regional rail networks in the country, the city lags behind other cities its size.

But Richard Voith, a vice president of the economic-consulting firm Econsult Corp., and an early proponent of TOD, says recent developments have put Philadelphia on the right path moving forward.

"We've put things in place, we've put leadership in place - at SEPTA and the city and the state - that actually cares about this," Voith said. "So wherever we've been, which has not been very good . . . that has changed."

Voith, who served for three years as vice chairman of SEPTA's board, points to Washington, Denver and Atlanta as examples of cities doing transit-oriented development right.

Best example:

Experts like Voith and Scott Page of Interface Studio, a local firm that has produced several TOD studies, cite the Comcast Tower and the Cira Centre as good examples of integrating transit with commercial development.

Bart Blatstein is blazing a trail with the Piazza at Schmidt's, a $150 million mixed-use complex in Northern Liberties at Germantown Avenue and 2nd Street, a short walk from the Girard station on the Market-Frankford line.