Across the United States, patterns of urban growth are changing. As metropolitan areas expand and once-unincorporated communities seek greater control over development, services and local identity, new cities are emerging. These incorporations – often driven by residents’ desire to guide their own future – represent a new phase of urban evolution: one focused on aligning infrastructure investment with community priorities.
A New Chapter in Cobb County
In Cobb County, Georgia, this transformation is taking shape through the City of Mableton, the first new municipality established in the county in more than a century. With a population of over 78,000, Mableton was officially incorporated in 2024 and is now laying the groundwork for long-term growth and prosperity.
STV is proud to partner with Mableton through a new on-call engineering services contract that positions the city to move quickly and strategically on its infrastructure needs. As one of four firms selected to support its development, we are helping to deliver the public assets that will define Mableton’s next century – roads, bridges, parks, civic buildings and more. Our team is providing a full range of services, including construction and program management, utility coordination, traffic, structural and environmental engineering, landscape architecture, parks and recreation planning and site design.
Helping a new city establish its infrastructure systems from the ground up is a rare opportunity. It allows us to apply STV’s experience in program management and community-driven design to see that every investment supports both current residents and future generations.
The Rise of New Cities
Mableton’s incorporation mirrors a broader national trend taking hold across the Southeast and beyond. Communities from Mulberry, Georgia, to St. George, Louisiana, and Winnabow, North Carolina, have recently sought cityhood as a means to better manage growth, control land-use decisions and establish their own standards for mobility, sustainability and resilience.
These new cities are being formed during a pivotal moment for infrastructure in America. Federal and state funding programs are emphasizing better access, climate readiness and smart-city technology. For newly incorporated municipalities, this environment presents both a challenge and an opportunity: to build foundational systems that are modern, inclusive and scalable from day one.
Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Growth
For cities like Mableton, the early years of incorporation are about building capacity – physically, administratively and economically. Establishing public works programs, upgrading roadways, expanding park space and developing sustainable stormwater systems are essential first steps.
STV’s multidisciplinary team is supporting Mableton as it transitions key services from the county, prioritizes capital projects and develops a cohesive approach to infrastructure delivery. Earlier this year, we completed the city’s first major capital project: the build-out of its community development and code-enforcement facility. This project demonstrates how thoughtful planning and collaboration can yield immediate results and momentum for a young city’s future.
Partnering for the Cities of Tomorrow
Through our national Cities Initiative, we continue to support and advise communities at every stage of their evolution – from long-established urban centers to emerging municipalities like Mableton. Our philosophy is rooted in partnership and innovation: helping cities design infrastructure that reflects the people they serve and the futures they envision.
Mableton represents what’s possible when local vision meets purposeful investment. By combining strong governance with improved and more connected infrastructure, new cities can create the conditions for lasting prosperity. STV is honored to play a role in that journey – building the foundations of tomorrow’s cities, one partnership at a time.
