A Transformational Project
The Atlanta BeltLine has the potential to break down barriers and connect people, communities, and cultures that have been intentionally segregated for generations. Our goal is to implement the BeltLine project in a way that ensures all Atlantans have the chance to participate in and benefit from its economic growth for generations to come.
Our Guiding Principles
Guided by principles of equitable and sustainable development, the Atlanta BeltLine is delivering transformative public infrastructure that enhances mobility, fosters culture, and improves connections to opportunity. The Atlanta BeltLine is committed to building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing, and public spaces for all.
As stated in the BeltLine Equitable Development Plan that was adopted by the ABI Board in June 2009, the Atlanta BeltLine’s equitable development efforts utilizes a comprehensive and integrated approach that incorporates the following key components:
- Developing and planning core BeltLine amenities in a way that creates a more livable and geographically balanced Atlanta;
- Recruiting economic development in a way that creates business and job opportunities;
- Minimizing displacement of Atlantan residents and leveraging economic opportunity in a way that stabilizes neighborhoods;
- Incorporating and encouraging community voice in project implementation;
- Preserving and enhancing the historic and cultural character of neighborhoods; and
- Leveraging existing neighborhood assets (economic, social, and environmental) in ways that encourage community connectivity, competitiveness and sustainability.
Our Vision for Equity and Inclusion
The Atlanta BeltLine’s equity and inclusion vision is that: All legacy residents, new residents, and business owners – regardless of age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, ability, income, or political ideology – benefit and prosper from the economic growth and activity associated with the Atlanta BeltLine.
This vision is consistent with the Atlanta BeltLine’s overall vision and is guided by an understanding that inequities undermine the city’s collective prosperity and threaten the region’s ability to remain globally competitive. We must also acknowledge that everyone is situated differently and the relationship between place and race in Atlanta is glaring. The prosperity of the region and the success of the Atlanta BeltLine depends on every person having a fair chance to fulfill their human potential and thrive.
The Atlanta BeltLine is beginning its journey towards equity and inclusion. Our success depends on creating and preserving affordability; reducing residential, commercial and cultural displacement; reducing racial and economic disparities; promoting transit and connectivity; empowering BeltLine communities for the future; and ultimately improving the overall quality of life for all BeltLine residents.
The Numbers Tell the Tale
We measure our progress toward our equity and inclusion vision in several areas – housing affordability, economic development, transit access, inclusion, and quality of life – to demonstrate the Atlanta BeltLine’s progress and results over time. All data is disaggregated by age, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual identity where appropriate.
Both the Demographic Data Explorer and Investment Data Explorer tools support ABI’s equity and inclusion vision by tracking progress toward project goals and flagging demographic and economic trends that may require policy intervention. These tools are also designed to inform the public and promote transparency and accountability.
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. is tracking the following metrics:
Housing Affordability
- Number/percent of affordable housing units created and/or preserved (60% of Area Median Income or less) through the Atlanta BeltLine Housing Trust Fund
- Number/percent of legacy families receiving tax abatements/exemptions in BeltLine neighborhoods
- Number/percent of legacy families receiving home repair incentives
- Number/percent of single-family homes preserved
Economic Development
- Number/percent of jobs created in the BeltLine Planning Area
- Number/percent of livable wage jobs created within the BeltLine Planning Area
- Number/percent of new businesses created in the BeltLine Planning Area
- Number/percent of legacy businesses expanded in the BeltLine Planning Area
- Number/percent of legacy businesses receiving facade improvement incentives in the BeltLine Planning Area
- Number/percent of workers hired from BeltLine neighborhoods through Atlanta BeltLine development contracts
- Dollar amount/percent of investments going to minority/disadvantaged/women-owned businesses
- Number/percent of businesses receiving economic development incentives from Atlanta BeltLine on the south and west side
- Number/percent of small businesses receiving contracts from Atlanta BeltLine
- Dollar amount/percent of funding to support local artists and arts and culture organizations
Transit Access
- Number/percent of people in walking distance to transit and trail
- Number/percent of residents with access to transit
- Number of miles of trail and transit infrastructure
- Dollar amount/percent of BeltLine funds invested in improving affordable transportation access, especially on south and west side
Inclusion
- Number of community engagement events held
- Type of engagement opportunities provided
- Number/percent of community members engaged
- Number/percent of underrepresented community groups in attendance
- Number/percent satisfied with community engagement
- Number/percent of community who feel community engagement strategies were effective
- Number/percent of community who is aware of Beltline mission, vision and work
Quality of Life
- Number/percent of park acreage in BeltLine neighborhoods on south and west side
- Number/percent of acreage of brownfield remediation/environmental clean-up in BeltLine neighborhoods, especially those on south and west side
- Dollar amount/percent of resources invested in public art which preserves and enhances history and historic culture of communities of color in BeltLine neighborhoods
A Thorough Accounting
A transparent process is essential to the project. We want to provide detailed information about our efforts to build equity and inclusion. Please contact us if you are unable to locate the information you are seeking in this list.
| Title | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BeltLine Equitable Development Plan | Successfully creating a vibrant sense of place requires that the newly created environment positively benefits the people living there, including both existing and new residents. The BeltLine Equitable Development Plan seeks to ensure geographic balance through equitable investment in all communities along the corridor, preserve single family neighborhoods, as well as cultural and historic qualities, minimize involuntary economic displacement through tax policies and affordble housing initiatives, and create long-term employment and small business opportunities. | |
| Racial Equity Action Plan | Racial equity action plan for the Atlanta BeltLine. |
