Is the Triangle in danger of Atlantafication?

[LordHelmit]

Originally Posted by urbanmyth

I wish we were more like Charlotte.

ew

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by urbanmyth

I wish we were more like Charlotte. they started with light rail, changed their zoning rules at the same time, and the city is much more accessible for all because Charlotte planned ahead. The Triangle still thinks that rail transportation follows development. Development follows transportation. No one wants to be Atlanta, Georgia. I won't even fly through Georgia.

Atlanta is arguably the best example for urban infill in the Southeast and is basically the most realistic model of a sprawling city undergoing lots of urbanization you're going to find in this region. Atlanta gets criticized a lot for what it got wrong in years past (and other Sunbelt cities have made the same mistakes) but not enough credit for what it has done and is doing to correct course.

[dariusxiv]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Atlanta is arguably the best example for urban infill in the Southeast and is basically the most realistic model of a sprawling city undergoing lots of urbanization you're going to find in this region. Atlanta gets criticized a lot for what it got wrong in years past (and other Sunbelt cities have made the same mistakes) but not enough credit for what it has done and is doing to correct course.

What are some of the policies/projects do you believe Atlanta has done that should be implemented here?

And what have they done that should be avoided?

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by dariusxiv

What are some of the policies/projects do you believe Atlanta has done that should be implemented here?

Atlanta obviously has a different history and is built out differently than Raleigh and the Triangle so it can be hard to say which things Atlanta has done should specifically be implemented in Raleigh. But when it comes to things that represent great progress for Atlanta, you have to talk about things like the Beltline, the proliferation of TOD (office and residential) at MARTA stations, the densification of Midtown, and the development of certain New Urbanist-type projects across the city/metro.

And what have they done that should be avoided?

Almost anything in the 1950s-80s.

[ZeusAV]

Originally Posted by NC2ATL60

But wait, Atlanta has rail transit. Matter of fact, its Heavy Rail! Oh and its 48 miles in length, with 38 stations! Look at that!

So now, I just want to know what the F you're rambling about? Oh and trust, we aren't missing your presence!

While Atlanta does indeed have rail transit it can be argued that MARTA isn't as great or useful as it could be due to the NIMBY's and strong opposition to expanding it to other parts of the metro for various reasons. This is similar to the reason why Atlanta can't get a desperately needed Northern Arc built to relieve 285 closer to the city.

Even though the Triangle doesn't have transit yet, one of the things they might be able to do if they can get something approved sooner rather than later is actually get the routes planned and agreed upon to go into the areas of the metro where it's needed rather than waiting too long to the point where wealthy suburban towns reject any plans for transit in their vicinities.

This is where Charlotte is getting it right in that the vast majority of the metro desires rail and the surrounding counties are (not yet) anti-Charlotte so they are planning the routes already right now, just waiting for funding. Atlanta has too many counties, towns, and other jurisdictions to deal with in order to get MARTA fully fleshed out in the most efficient manner for reducing road traffic. When it comes to transportation planning, it seriously hurts Atlanta that the overwhelming majority of the population in its metro lies outside the city of Atlanta and Fulton County. The Triangle doesn't have this issue just yet as Raleigh, Durham and Wake County contain the majority of the population.

[rnc2mbfl]

Originally Posted by ZeusAV

When it comes to transportation planning, it seriously hurts Atlanta that the overwhelming majority of the population in its metro lies outside the city of Atlanta and Fulton County. The Triangle doesn't have this issue just yet as Raleigh, Durham and Wake County contain the majority of the population.

Certainly Wake County carries the lion's share of the population in the Triangle, and it actually increases its portion each subsequent year as the Triangle grows, but......
Wake County has many municipalities and Raleigh proper doesn't even represent half of the county population. A heavy rail that has a dependency on existing tracks (the most likely way to get commuter rail in today's economic model), runs through Garner, Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, RTP and Durham. It's not as simple as one might think being primarily just a two county game. With 170,000 residents, Cary is a formidable player along with Raleigh and Durham, and RTP is going to want to have a strong voice as well.

[ddm2k]

Originally Posted by dariusxiv

Specifically:
1. Uncohesive/poorly planned growth; unchecked sprawl
2. Excessive commutes due to massive traffic
3. Failure of local governments to cooperate to address regional infrastructure planning (roads, schools, mass transit, etc.)
4. Economic stratification due to unaffordability
5. Increasing crime

If so, what are steps that could be taken prevent overall degradation in quality of life, but also allow for inevitable growth?

Are government officials here proactive and have a long-term vision for sustainability?

I am speaking as a newcomer who considered Atlanta for relocation but was turned off for the reasons above.

Raleigh hit the sweet spot and is clearly a great place to live. However, from reading the forums there is a great of deal of fear that it will go down the path of Atlanta (and other cities similarly affected).

Old thread, but somehow still near the top of the Raleigh threads list. You get what you get, I guess.

If by unchecked you mean unregulated, you'd be right, and that's a good thing. If I don't want my dollars to be in competition with higher earners bidding up the same piece of property I have my eyes on, I shouldn't have to live in a high-density area if I don't want to.

If I want a 5 BD, new construction home that's not on 1/10th of an acre: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6...48749332_zpid/

I can go out farther, and get a little more, for a little less:
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5...48756735_zpid/
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...15493442_zpid/

Some people won't ever use mass transit, even if there was a direct line from their door step to their work. Automobiles are mobile storage units, personal bubbles, and we can set the climate control however we please. It's quiet time. Or we can be as loud as we want on the phone. For some, they're a place to scream, a place to cry after a bad day (eek!). Ours cars are a part of American culture that aren't leaving the picture any time soon.

[Edward Teach]

Originally Posted by ddm2k

Old thread, but somehow still near the top of the Raleigh threads list. You get what you get, I guess.

Old? It was started 2 months ago.

[LordHelmit]

Originally Posted by ddm2k

Old thread, but somehow still near the top of the Raleigh threads list. You get what you get, I guess.

What was the point in saying this? The Atlanta forum has a thread from 2008 near the top of the thread list. Your point?