The MARTA Project

The MARTA Project is a study that investigates the walkability of the urban environment surrounding each of Atlanta's 38 rapid rail stations, with particular focus on the pedestrian experience and accessibility of public spaces, amenities, safe walking infrastructure, commercial facilities, cultural facilities, residential communities, mixed-use spaces, etc. In addition, this study analyzes the extant urban fabric surrounding each of the rapid rail stations in reference to decades-old historical documents that detail the intended zoning for civic, commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed-use amenities for the surrounding areas of each of the MARTA stations projected to be built. This study draws comparisons between the decentralized character of Atlanta's urban planning and public transportation and the decentralized nature of some of various socialist urban planning solutions that came out of the 19th and 20th centuries. Overall, the aim of this study is to stress the importance of reliable, fast transportation and full interconnectivity for maintaining a socially equitable, decentralized city.