We're on the cusp of a transformation of Honolulu's urban core not seen since the post-statehood boom years. It'll be a dramatic reshaping of the way we live, work, and play, stemming the retreat of urban living to the suburbs; producing opportunities for affordable housing closer to where we work; stimulating business and retail growth; widening open spaces; and creating a future only limited by our imaginations.

I speak of TOD, Transit-Oriented Development. TOD is what's happening along rail transit routes in cities across the nation. In places like Phoenix, Santa Clara, Calif., and Portland, Ore., rail systems have catalyzed urban development and rejuvenated the areas surrounding the transit stations.

The Urban Land Institute has stated that TOD is one of the best bets for investors because Americans' housing preferences are shifting toward an urban lifestyle offering proximity to jobs, shopping and entertainment; affordability; mobility; and open space — in short, a better quality of life.

The City and County of Honolulu has held TOD workshops to gather ideas from residents on what they envision for their neighborhoods. We were one of four cities awarded a grant by Living Cities, and we used some of the money to invite TOD experts from the mainland to share their experience. They spent two days with local stakeholders identifying and developing methods to create new sources of community equity, wealth, and capacity from our rail project.

Participants included representatives from banks, affordable housing developers, nonprofit organizations, the University of Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools and businesses. We also held our second public symposium April 6 at Farrington High School, “;Building Community Wealth around Transit.”; Here's what the experts confirmed about TOD:

» Restores a sense of community among families and neighbors

» Preserves and creates affordable housing

» Add parks and plazas; preserves public views and opens new ones

» Creates networks of pedestrian-friendly and bike-friendly streets

» Creates a rich urban setting that is safe, exciting and full of housing, employment and social opportunities for all segments of our population. Increases pride in area.

And this doesn't even touch the many direct benefits of rail transit, which will ease the frustrating daily commute and lessen our dependence on imported fossil fuels.

But it won't happen overnight. And it won't be accomplished by government or private sector alone. We need community champions engaged and at the table.

These are exciting times for Honolulu. Elevated rail transit is Honolulu's best tool to combat traffic congestion. While discussion continues about the project itself, it is not too early to plan for TOD. It will take time to ensure that the goals of TOD reflect the goals of the many, rather than a few. It will take time to foster relationships driven by a community-based planning process among the private sector, public sector, nonprofits, and other organizations so that we all work together to achieve our shared goals for our home, our city.

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Mufi Hannemann is mayor of Honolulu