Abstract:
In May 1999 the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Board adopted policies as a part of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) that included a new implementation program including implementation funding for an Activity Center/Town Center Investment Policy for small cities and suburban sub-centers within the region. This funding was to focus on existing small downtowns in the region. This program, more popularly known as the Livable Centers Initiative (LCI), is to encourage more dense residential development, mixed land uses, connectivity within and between activity centers and to apply “smart growth” principles that will reduce single occupancy automobile travel and encourage transit, bicycle and pedestrian travel. To date more than 40 cities, towns and suburban sub-centers have been funded for an LCI Study. Many of these areas have already received implementation funding for LCI recommended improvements In order to receive LCI implementation funding, each activity center/town center must conduct an LCI Investment Policy Study. The purpose of the LCI Study is to develop projects and programs that reduce dependency on automobiles for local trips; that improve alternative transportation access to existing and future transit systems; that develop facilities and land use patterns that encourage vibrant, human scale activities in town centers and activity areas. The paper will describe in detail the strategies that have been proposed in the LCI studies already completed, the successful implementation of these strategies, and the results of this implementation. Case studies of over 20 LCI Town Centers/suburban Centers will be used to describe those strategies that appear to be the most successful in reducing automobile travel and in increasing the use of other modes. Also included in the case studies are land use/redevelopment strategies to encourage reinvestment in existing downtown areas. These strategies will be described in the paper.
