Development Driven by Streetcar Projects

The Obama-era streetcars in the U.S. emerged as a significant urban policy initiative aimed at fostering transit-oriented development (TOD). Cities built these streetcar systems not merely for the sake of enhancing public transit, but primarily to stimulate new real estate development and economic activity in former industrial areas. The projects were often seen more as a means to increase property values and tax revenue rather than improve transit accessibility. For instance, developments along streetcar corridors, like in Washington D.C.'s H Street, saw significant gentrification, illustrating how these initiatives could drive urban renewal.