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This thesis examines the topic of transit-oriented development (TOD) and its evolution in the United States since the rise of public transportation systems in the late-19th century. Using the work of modern day TOD scholars and organizations, this thesis presents the various definitions of transit-oriented development and examines the characteristics designers and developers of TODs should strive towards in order to “create places that function differently than conventional development ” (Dittmar 22 2004). Using the work of urban historians and theorists, this thesis relates the characteristics of successful transit-oriented developments back to time-tested urban design and planning ideas and theories. This will help to show that TOD should not be viewed as a utopian concept, but as a real world solution to the issues urban regions face today, including sprawling and placeless suburban communities, long and laborious commutes along congested highways, and automobile-oriented neighborhoods and developments. Transit-oriented development will also be traced through time from its inception in late-19th century streetcar suburbs all the way to its place in city planning processes today