Fifteen years ago, a graduate student at Georgia Tech submitted his master’s thesis, which served as the inspiration of today’s Beltline. Ryan Gravel’s “Belt Line – Atlanta: Design of Infrastructure as a Reflection of Public Policy” proposed a plan for Atlanta that could “reduce dependence on automobiles, re-use valuable urban land, create economic growth for the city, improve mobility in traffic-congested Atlanta, and make evident historic special boundaries and settlement patterns, contributing to civic identity.”
Gravel’s vision focused on transit infrastructure and redevelopment of the central city. But this evolving network of trails, parks and future transit could have an even stronger benefit to public health.
When we think about the Beltline and public health, our thoughts turn immediately to the obvious: the opportunities for physical activity such as walking, biking, rollerblading or running. The trail has already proven to be a popular venue for Atlantans seeking to be more active. Atlanta Beltline Inc., which manages all aspects of the trail and its development, actively promotes healthy lifestyles through its running series, yoga and aerobics classes and activities such as “Walk With a Doc,” which offers an opportunity to discuss health topics while strolling with a medical professional.
Environmentalists can point to the health benefits of the Beltline: cleaning up polluted soil along the trail, and developing a stormwater runoff system at the Historic Fourth Ward Park to ease the burden on the city’s sewer system.
But the intangible, social capital benefits of the Beltline may offer the biggest long-term boost to public health.
Social capital can be thought of as the web of relationships in a community — the goodwill and sense of shared purpose between people and organizations coming together to pursue common goals that build trust and improve general well-being.
Over the years, some symbols of progress in Atlanta — the Downtown Connector, for example — have had the unfortunate result of diminishing social capital, dividing the city geographically and socially, and cutting people off from their neighbors and services. The Beltline offers the promise of reconnecting the city and its neighborhoods, healing divisions and creating public trust.
“Social determinants” such as housing, employment, community involvement and feelings of connectedness are increasingly recognized for their essential role in promoting good health. We are seeking greater balance in our lives and want to improve our quality of life by reducing commute time, taking the time to care about our neighbors’ well-being, and being civically engaged.
The Beltline makes a substantial contribution in nearly all of these areas. Giving more people the opportunity to live closer to work and play – and spend less time commuting – allows more people to spend time being physically active, and to be involved in their children’s schools and their neighborhoods.
The Beltline also provides the green spaces that can bring people together and rebuild a sense of community. A scene on a typical day on the Beltline trail includes a racially and economically diverse mix of walkers, bicyclists, parents with children, and older citizens. When people participate in the Beltline’s community engagement sessions — and later realize their input is taken into consideration when features are built — they realize they can work together for a better, healthier community.
As Paul Morris, CEO of Atlanta Beltline Inc., noted at the recent Urban Health Lecture at Georgia State University: “By providing and activating parks, trails, transit and affordable intown living, the Atlanta Beltline creates unique opportunities for healthier, more sustainable living in Atlanta.”
Because of visionaries like Ryan Gravel and others, we have rediscovered the link between urban planning and public health. It’s not just about providing a convenient place where people can burn some extra calories. It’s about building community. Going forward, let’s look at the Beltline not only as one of the most innovative public transit and transportation efforts in the world, but also as one of the boldest public health experiments.
Michael Eriksen is dean of the School of Public Health at Georgia State University.
