ORLANDO-Transformation. That’s the word that enters economist David Marks’ mind when he looks at the plans for the SunRail commuter rail system that will link Orlando with Volusia, Seminole, and Osceola communities. As Marks sees it, the SunRail will transform Central Florida into a modern, sustainable community that will dramatically improve Central Florida’s economy.

“SunRail’s 61-mile route will eventually define the core of urban living in Central Florida,” says David Marks, a nationally-recognized urban economist who has amassed a 20-year study of sustainable communities. “For an area of about two-miles from these rail stations—an area of approximately 8,000 acres—we’ll see the sort of urbanization that has made many European communities and some American communities more livable.”

The 120,000-acre SunRail corridor is home to about 423,000 people. That’s 16% of the region’s 2.6 million residents and about 28% of the region’s employees. Eventually, Marks predicts these figures could approach 50%. He says SunRail will also reduce the need for road-building efforts in outlying suburban areas and reduce traffic congestion in urban areas.

“Like most American communities, Central Florida has followed a 20th-century fossil fuel model for growth,” Marks says. That translates to thousands of acres of asphalt highways to distant suburban communities and millions of hours wasted driving back and forth to work, as well as fuel costs and environmental impacts. Marks predicts more sustainable economic policies will eventually lead city and county governments to incentivize growth within the SunRail corridor and discourage growth from many outlying areas.

Central Florida’s population density stands at about 0.9 people per land acre, and 3.57 people per land acre for the SunRail corridor. These low densities mean virtually every adult has to own a car. “Boston and Washington, D.C. have a population density of about 19 people per land acre, which is more sustainable,” Marks says. “In Santa Monica, California, density is about 17 people per land acre. In parts of London and Paris, it’s over 100 people per land acre.”

Greater density means more opportunities for walkable communities, multi-model transportation, and community amenities in walking distance, such as parks, swimming pools and athletic fields: Says Marks, “SunRail is a giant leap into a more sustainable future for Central Florida.”

Instant Insights /

Economist: SunRail Commuter Rail Will Transform Central Florida

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