Integrating Metro Stations with the Adjacent Urban Fabric Using TOD Principles: A Case of Agargaon Metro Station, Dhaka

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles offer a promising framework for integrating metro stations with their surrounding urban fabric, promoting sustainable urbanization and efficient transportation systems. Dhaka, one of the fastest-growing cities globally, faces significant challenges in traffic congestion, air pollution, and urban sprawl. Introducing metro systems offers a promising solution to alleviate these issues and enhance urban mobility. This study presents a case study of Agargaon Metro Station in Dhaka City, examining its integration with the adjacent urban fabric using TOD principles. Through a combination of field observations, spatial analysis, and stakeholder interviews, the study evaluates the current state of Agargaon Metro Station. On-site assessments examined the station's physical infrastructure, accessibility, and connectivity with nearby areas, while Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyzed spatial data, including land use patterns and transportation networks. Semi-structured interviews with urban planners, government officials, and community members provided insights into the challenges and opportunities for implementing TOD at Agargaon. The findings reveal that the station is underutilized as a TOD hub, with inadequate pedestrian infrastructure and mixed-use developments, leading to poor connectivity and accessibility. The study highlights the necessity of improved land use planning, policy support, and community engagement to enhance the station's role in fostering TOD. These recommendations, if implemented, could alleviate traffic congestion, improve air quality, and create more livable urban spaces, thereby enhancing Dhaka's overall quality of life. Additionally, the research contributes to the social and economic dimensions of urbanization by offering a framework that can be adapted to similar metro stations in Dhaka and other rapidly urbanizing cities.