Final Thoughts Concerning the Atlanta Beltline Project

            As the semester comes to an end, I am able to reflect on all that I have learned about the Atlanta Beltline project over the last few months.  I sought to understand what role public health had in the design and development of the Eastside trail of the Atlanta Beltline.  My primary focus within the public health features of the Atlanta Beltline has been on the specific methods of increasing overall health and wellness of area residents by focusing on fitness and nutrition.  I look specifically at features of the built environment which aid in improved fitness and nutrition habits of local Old Fourth Ward and Inman Park Residents, such as art and architecture, social cohesion, parks and green space, food access and sports and other outdoor activities. It was exciting to learn that public health initiatives were included in all development and planning phases of Atlanta Beltline project. From the initial planning phases, environmental assessments were conducted to ensure the project remained conscience of its ecological footprint.  Even landscape design was taken into account in order to maximize impact on improving mental health function.    I discovered that in many ways, projects like the Atlanta Beltline and New York City’s Skyline are significantly public health focused.  On the surface, projects such as these may appear to be purely a city beautification endeavor.  However, when examined more closely, beautification efforts improve the quality of life of area residents which in turn improves mental as well as physical health. This is the ultimate purpose of the Atlanta Beltline project.

            As part of the overall project, I was fortunate to be able to attend my first community engagement meeting which detailed updates to the Westside Trail of the Atlanta Beltline, set to open in July 2017. This meeting brought forth several of the questions that I pondered throughout the semester.  While I think that the Beltline project is a wonderful idea to encourage active living, some of the unintended consequences have left the most vulnerable populations of our city out of the conversations and decision making processes. Housing justice, as a result, is a growing concern for area residents as many are slowly being forced from their homes due to rising costs.  In my opinion, Atlanta Beltline, Inc has a responsibility to take a more active role in preserving the integrity of area neighborhoods and communities especially in cases of vulnerable populations. Despite the draw, however, the Atlanta Beltline is a great asset to the City of Atlanta and can be an effective tool to appeal to those industries, businesses or individuals desiring to relocate to the city.