TOD in the Park: Examining Development at Edmonds SkyTrain Station

This thesis investigates development surrounding Edmonds Station in Burnaby, BC. The area within 500 metres of Edmonds Station has seen high rates of growth since the opening of the SkyTrain in 1985 thanks to supportive regional, municipal, and neighbourhood-level planning policies. Using a mixed methods approach, neighbourhood plans and development patterns are examined to establish the degree to which they are consistent with the design goals and objectives of transit-oriented development (TOD). The research finds that the present-day physical environment around Edmonds has amalgamated a number of suburban characteristics with rapid transit infrastructure, and thus established the area as a family-friendly and walkable community. However, more work is needed to integrate the station with the neighbourhood and improve the community’s self-reliance. The thesis concludes that development near transit can successfully diverge from planning norms for TOD, to make transit-oriented living an attractive option for more people.