The new Atlanta Department of Transportation has a new strategic plan, a new commissioner, and a whole lot of high hopes to live up to.
"Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced at a press conference [on Wednesday, November 13] Renew Atlanta general manager Josh Rowan will now serve as commissioner of the city’s new department of transportation," reports Sean Keenan.
"The new DOT will absorb the city’s Office of Mobility Planning and the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond program, as well as all other transportation-related operations of the departments of Planning and Public Works," according to Keenan.
"The mayor also unveiled the One Atlanta Strategic Transportation Plan, which lays out a three-year framework to reach Vision Zero—the goal of having zero traffic fatalities or serious injuries—by way of more than $200 million of mobility infrastructure projects," adds Kennan.
Officials from the regional transportation planning agency, MARTA, are on the record expressing high hopes that the changes in Atlanta will contribute to the cause of expeditiously achieving the goals of the More MARTA plan.
A transportation department for the city has been on the radar of city officials for well over a year. Mayor Bottoms expressed support for the idea during a State of the City address delivered in March 2019.
FULL STORY: Mayor announces new transportation department head, $200M mobility plan
Atlanta Streetcar Expansion Still Moving Forward
MARTA has drastically reduced its plans to construct new rail transit, but one project still has political support from the top at City Hall.
MARTA Scales Back Expansion Plans
Atlanta’s transit agency is slowing its plans to extend its bus and rail lines, prompting criticism from city officials.
BRT Stations Cut, Project Delayed in Atlanta
Inflation is taking a bite out of planned transportation projects in Georgia. The state's first ever bus rapid transit project provides the latest example of scaled back ambitions.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses
The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.
Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund
A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.
Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards
Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service