AURA is a grassroots volunteer urbanist group dedicated to building an Austin with abundant affordable homes in walkable neighborhoods. We advocate for more allowing more affordable types of homes—from fourplexes to apartments—and expanding transit, bike lanes, and sidewalks in all parts of Austin.
We are dedicated to a vision of an Austin where everybody is welcome and everybody’s interests matter: young and old, rich and poor, renter and homeowner, healthy and sick, citizen and immigrant, lifelong resident and new arrival. The greatest asset our city has is its people, and our city is at its best when it facilitates connections between all.
What We Do
AURA members track what’s happening at City Hall, CapMetro, and other city agencies—staying on top of upcoming decisions and opportunities to make Austin more affordable, walkable, and transit-friendly. We share what we learn with our members and the public, and we organize and mobilize Austinites to make their voices heard when it counts.
We also dig into land use and transportation proposals and develop our own stances and policy recommendations, which we bring directly to Austin City Council, transit agencies, and other decision-makers.
AURA is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization. Become a member, and add your voice to the growing chorus calling for a more inclusive, connected Austin.
Our History
We began in 2013 as a group of community activists, formerly known as Austinites for Urban Rail Action™, advocating for a transparent, data-driven approach to choosing the best rail route and plan for Austin. As we reached out to residents and built community, it became clear there was appetite for organizing around a broader range of urbanist issues beyond rail alone.
In 2014 we broadened our mission and became AURA: An Austin for Everyone, advocating for better land use and transportation policy to make Austin more affordable and connected for everyone. In 2014 and 2015, AURA was voted Best Grassroots Group by Austin Chronicle readers.