A wheelchair user describes what it's like to travel on Atlanta streets and on the city's public transit system.
Jennifer Rainey Marquez is a disability advocate living in Atlanta who uses a power wheelchair to get around. She says as her muscular disorder progressed, she became more aware of how urban design affected her ability to navigate the city.
"In Atlanta, the sidewalks are really good in some places and really bad in others. There are sidewalk closures, missing curb cuts, and crumbling concrete. I push e-scooters out of the way or pick them up when they’re blocking sidewalks or curb ramps," says Marquez.
She also uses public transportation in Atlanta. The station elevators and accessible train platforms and bus ramps mean she is able to board vehicles and is not limited to particular routes or stops. For her, the MARTA system actually stands out in comparison to other cities. "In a lot of cities, the trains are older, the platforms are older, there’s no elevator," notes Marquez.
FULL STORY: A disability advocate explains the joys—and challenges—of navigating Atlanta
MARTA Asking Riders For Feedback On Route Redesign
Atlanta's transit agency is asking for public feedback before a major system redesign.
$300 Million in Train Station Improvements Coming to Atlanta
Work on MARTA's Rail Station Rehabilitation Program will continue over several years, with some big changes for Downtown Atlanta included in the plan.
Downtown Atlanta Association Calls for Changes to Proposed BRT Line
The group expressed concerns with changes made to a key segment, which leaves riders with fewer connections to existing transit and does not position the line for future growth.
The Top Urban Planning Books of 2021
Planetizen's annual list of the top urban planning books of the year is here—maintaining a tradition that dates back to 2002.
The Roadway Expansion Paradox
Motorists want expensive roadway expansions provided that somebody else foots the bill, but when required to pay directly through tolls, the need for more capacity often disappears. What should planners do?
Urban Exodus: Data Don't Support the Popular Pandemic Narrative
Americans fled cities in waves during the pandemic, right? Not to so fast.
Study: At Least 1,500 Unhoused Died on the Streets of L.A. During the Pandemic
New research represents the first detailed picture of death among people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic.
Measuring the Economic Impact of the Great Allegheny Passage
Small communities once dependent on coal, coke, paper, lumber, and manufacturing now have a 150-mile bike and pedestrian path contributing to the local economy.
Houston Could End Homelessness With Less Than 2,000 Housing Units
Houston's homeless response program has yielded strong results in the last few years. Just 1,900 new affordable housing units could 'effectively end' homelessness in the city.
Nelson\Nygaard
BRAILSFORD & DUNLAVEY
Water Replenishment District (WRD)
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of San Carlos
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Royal Oak, Michigan
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.
