Urban morphology and transit-oriented development (TOD): Planning and managing urban change in New Zealand

Despite transit-oriented development (TOD) being widely recognised as essential for sustainable urban growth, planning for TOD is slow to achieve successful outcomes. The theoretical and practical bases for place-specific and form-based TOD development plans remain to be clarified. In connection with an investigation of a railway transit node in Auckland, New Zealand, this paper combines geographical morphological and morphometric analyses for TOD planning and management plans. Based on the understanding of the spatial characteristics and development processes of a TOD area, morphological units are identified to articulate the geographical organisation of TOD activities. The subsequent morphometric analysis augments the understanding of the individual morphological units and specifies issues in the Auckland Unitary Plan and opportunities for improvement. The integration of traditional morphological approach and quantitative morphometrics has provided a more valid foundation for the achievement of both high-performing urban form and urban spatial continuity and integrity. Alongside international morphological and TOD studies, this research contributes to innovative sustainable development and enhances the practicality of morphological methods in New Zealand and beyond. • Research on geographical urban morphology as a basis for place-specific and form-based TOD planning and management plans • Study of the development process reveals morphological units that define the geographical organisation of TOD activities • Morphometric analysis augments the understanding of morphological units • The combination of traditional and digital urban morphology offers a new approach to TOD policy and practice