Matthew Garbet contributes a guest column to the SaportaReport wherein he debunks the "Tipping Point Theory of Transit"—that cities should continue to support cars until a complete transit system is realized.
Matthew Garbet responds to what he calls the "Tipping Point Theory of Transit," described thusly: "If we keep building the BeltLine, expanding the Streetcar, and growing MARTA, one day there will come a Tipping Point, when people will begin abandoning their cars for our finally completed system." Added to which, is the key: "Until we get there, however, we need to recognize reality and continue to build for cars, especially via parking."
Garbet cries foul on that theory, instead arguing that for as long as cities, like Atlanta, make planning decisions to support the car, people will continue to drive. "At some point we will need to choose to make driving more costly. The easiest and most efficient way to do so, with the most benefits, is to dramatically reduce the amount of parking while increasing its cost."
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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.
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