When suburban voters and political leaders oppose transit funding sales taxes, the entire region experiences the consequences. Atlanta is the latest case study in this political dynamic.
Maria Saporta writes an editorial about the emerging "micro-regionalism" approach to transportation planning in the Atlanta area, growing from conflicting approaches to transportation investment funding schemes between county governments.
In November, voters in the City of Atlanta likely will get an opportunity to increase their investment in MARTA by a half-penny sales tax for 40 years – adding to the penny it passed in 1971.
At the same time, the rest of Fulton County likely will get to vote for .75 of a penny for transportation projects – most going to roads – for the next five years.
According to Saporta, that kind of "micro-regionalism" is a far cry from a regional approach to transportation.
Saporta rests the blame on the leadership of cities in Fulton County, who have put the breaks "on a plan that should be serving the entire metro area." Now the future of a regional transportation plan is in doubt, and the city of Atlanta, rather than the entire region, will have a competitive advantage in transit.
FULL STORY: City of Atlanta and MARTA can create transit model in age of micro-regionalism
76 Projects on Atlanta's Transit Wishlist
The recently formed Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority released a new regional transit plan.
Suburban Atlanta Rejects Transit, Again
The third time was not the charm for a transit sales tax in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
Voters Considering Game Changing 'Connect Gwinnett Transit Plan'
Suburban Gwinnett County could change the course of its history by finally voting to connect to the Atlanta region's transit network.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research