The Atlanta Beltline Partnership's annual report shows how revitalization programs, workforce housing, parks and trails have been blossoming. Yet transit development has lagged behind, reports Kaid Benfield for The Atlantic.
The Beltline, which loops around Atlanta, is a project expected to include 22-mile public transit, trails and parks that pass through the most distressed neighborhoods in the inner city.
The Historic Fourth Ward Park east of the Beltline has been a highlight because it uses energy-efficient LED lighting, the park's lake provides "capacity relief to the combined sewer system," and five acres of the park used to be a brownfield.
"Of the 20 pages of ABI's report allocated to substantive accomplishment, 14 are devoted to parks and green space."
On the other hand, the ABI report shows uncertainty about transit's future in the Beltline, Benfield reports.
"Even the near-term projects are described as 'moved into design' in the next five years. I suspect that, put another way, the city doesn't believe it is in a position to make promises."
"If a project of the BeltLine's massive ambition is to succeed, sooner or later it is going to have to become the top transit priority for the city. It's just too complicated to get done otherwise."
FULL STORY: The Country's Most Ambitious Smart Growth Project
What Makes a Transit System Great in the U.S.
Transit should make people's lives better, with density a key component of successful systems.
Halloween Costumes for Urban Planners — 5th Edition
Looking for fun halloween costume ideas? Look no further than Planetizen for the latest halloween costumes.
How Los Angeles' Urban Parks Battle Climate Change
An overview of how Los Angeles County’s Department of Parks and Recreation is creating projects that tackle the effects of climate change, by planner Clement Lau.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
Can We Please Give Communities the Design They Deserve?
Often an afterthought, graphic design impacts everything from how we navigate a city to how we feel about it. One designer argues: the people deserve better.
The EV “Charging Divide” Plaguing Rural America
With “the deck stacked” against rural areas, will the great electric American road trip ever be a reality?
Judge Halts Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal
Lawyers must prove the city was not acting “arbitrarily, capriciously, and illegally” in ordering the hasty removal.
Engineers Gave America's Roads an Almost Failing Grade — Why Aren't We Fixing Them?
With over a trillion dollars spent on roads that are still falling apart, advocates propose a new “fix it first” framework.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)