Georgia Partnership Seeks to Boost Clean Transportation in Black Communities

The Electric Black Future initiative seeks to address historic disparities in transportation, energy, and technology workforce by helping Black communities in three Georgia cities shape their e-mobility futures.

2 minute read

May 20, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By Mary Hammon @marykhammon


Atlanta Scooter

Alan Kidd / Shutterstock

According to Atlanta media outlet WABE, a partnership of multiple Georgia groups, local governments, and the state department of transportation are working together to bring cleaner transportation to Black communities over the next three years. “The Electric Black Futures project will work with Black communities in Atlanta, Albany and Savannah to develop plans for electrifying transportation,” writes reporter Emily Jones. “The initiative aims to correct past injustices while shifting away from fossil fuel-powered transportation that worsens climate change.”

With $1.4 million in funding from the Department of Energy, the Electric Black Future project will work directly with Black communities to develop e-mobility plans to enhance public transit, electric shuttle, e-bike and e-scooter, and walkability in communities that have historically been left without transit access and exposed to more pollution from gas-powered vehicles. It will also work to address occupational segregation in the clean energy sector, where only 8 percent of workers are Black or African American.

“As we build a future powered by clean transportation, it is imperative that those facing the greatest challenges are prioritized in the planning process. Through deep listening sessions and documentation of community stories and thorough assessment of community needs and dreams, we will harness community input to develop actionable strategies aligned with local, state, and federal e-mobility initiatives, workforce training programs, industry investments, and job opportunities to demand that Black Georgians should be at the heart of their own communities’ innovations,” the Electric Black Future’s website reads.

Friday, May 17, 2024 in WABE

Single-family homes in a suburban neighborhood in Florida.

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power

The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

June 16, 2024 - The Guardian

Multistory apartment building under construction.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing

Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

June 10, 2024 - Nooga Today

Aerial view of intersection in New York City with yellow cabs and zebra crosswalks.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths

Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

June 13, 2024 - Todd Litman

Brick high-rise apartment buildings in New York City

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply

New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

June 18 - University of Kansas

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18 - Shelterforce Magazine

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18 - Lewisville Leader

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.