Transforming Mobility Barriers to Connectivity: Examining the Impact of the AeroATL Greenway Plan in Reconnecting Communities Around Aerotropolis Atlanta

Airports are critical connectivity infrastructure that support regional mobility flows and elevate cities’ positions within an interconnected global network. However, airports can also act as mobility barriers, encouraging carcentric developments that hinder locals from reaching nonairport destinations. We use Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (H-JAIA) and the AeroATL Greenway Plan (the Greenway)—a newly proposed trail plan in the Atlanta aerotropolis region—as a comparative case study to explore contrasting roles of network flow infrastructure. We quantified the barrier effect of H-JAIA on biking and walking trips using a distance-based metric (the ratio of Euclidean to modeled travel distance), evaluated the Greenway’s potential impact through scenario modeling with origin–destination flow data from a regional activity-based model, and developed a public-facing web tool that allows users to select any origin and destination pair on a map and view how the Greenway would alter trip routing and experience. Our results provided evidence that H-JAIA and its surrounding environment impede local mobility flows. The Greenway had a stronger impact on enhancing trip experience than on reducing travel distance, though the specific effects varied by segment and implementation scenario. These findings were validated in a participatory modeling workshop, where community stakeholders explored the tool and provided feedback based on their lived experiences. This integration of narrative framing, data-driven methods, and interactive engagement helped strengthen community trust and build momentum for future Greenway implementation.