Mixed-Use Density Analyzer for Transit-Oriented Development
Analyze and optimize mixed-use density patterns for transit-oriented developments
What You Can Do
You'll quantify optimal density distributions across residential, commercial, office, and amenity uses within 5-10 minute walk times of transit nodes. Claude helps you model density scenarios, evaluate how proposed densities achieve ridership thresholds, identify ground-floor activation opportunities, and generate evidence-based rationale for zoning negotiations and design review presentations.
Features
Calculate residential, commercial, office, and amenity density ratios tailored to site context and transit capacity
Model how density distributions affect minimum transit ridership thresholds and mode share projections
Identify mixed-use programming and frontage requirements that activate public realm while maintaining residential livability
Test sensitivity analyses (density reductions, use swaps, height changes) and quantify impacts on project feasibility and urban outcomes
Compare your TOD density patterns against successful precedents (Vancouver, Arlington, Docklands) to validate approaches
Generate evidence-based narratives and metrics for municipal planning departments, design review boards, and community stakeholders
Evaluate how density distribution supports 15-minute neighborhood patterns and maintains livability
Correlate density decisions with construction costs, absorption rates, and financial feasibility across use types
Example Output
Scenario 1: Station Area Master Plan Density Mix
- Residential: 250 du/acre (mid-rise 6-8 stories)
- Retail/Services: 3.0 FAR ground-2 stories
- Office: 2.5 FAR (floors 3-10)
- Hotels/Civic: 1.2 FAR
- Parks/Open Space: 15% site area
- Projected Daily Transit Boardings: 8,400 (meets 8,000 threshold)
- Estimated Walkability Score: 78/100
Scenario 2: Reduced Residential (-20%)
- Residential: 200 du/acre
- Projected Daily Transit Boardings: 6,200 (below threshold)
- Feasibility Impact: Developer requires 18% higher retail pricing
- Recommendation: Maintain 250 du/acre; offset with 12% office increase
Scenario 3: Ground-Floor Activation
- Required non-residential frontage: 85% (retail, café, civic uses)
- Residential street-facing lobby setbacks: 20ft with greening
- Active edges along transit plaza: 100%
- Ground-floor ceiling heights: 14ft minimum for retail, 12ft residential
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file with skill overview, usage guidelines, and DO/DON'T parameters:
- Density Mix Template: spreadsheet framework for calculating residential, commercial, office, and amenity FAR/du/acre targets
- Scenario Modeling Checklist: structured prompts for testing density variations, use swaps, and sensitivity analyses
- Ridership Threshold Calculator: metrics and formulas linking density distributions to minimum transit boarding projections
- Ground-Floor Activation Framework: guidelines for frontage requirements, use programming, and public realm activation by density zone
- Benchmarking Comparison Tool: precedent project data (Vancouver, Arlington, Docklands) for contextual validation
Who It's For
- Urban Designers — Develop context-specific density strategies for transit nodes and station area plans
- City Planners & Zoning Administrators — Justify density bonuses, mixed-use requirements, and form-based codes to municipal review boards
- Real Estate Developers & Project Managers — Model feasibility impacts of density changes and optimize development economics across use types
- Transit Agencies — Evaluate whether proposed TOD densities will achieve ridership targets and support service viability
- Design Review Boards & Community Stakeholders — Understand density rationale and livability safeguards in TOD proposals
Best For
- Station area master plans and TOD feasibility studies
- Zoning code development and density bonus negotiations
- Ground-floor activation and public realm programming strategies
- Scenario modeling and sensitivity analysis (density reductions, use swaps, phasing)
- Ridership projection validation and transit capacity analysis
- Benchmarking TODs against comparable successful projects
- Design review documentation and stakeholder presentations
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