In this edited volume, Etienne and Faga bring together nearly three dozen planning academics and practitioners to describe how the City of Atlanta and its larger region grew from a small rail depot in the 19th century to economic and cultural capital of the “New South,” Olympic host city, home of the world’s busiest airport and true international city. 

They and their contributors trace the history of several signature developments including the city’s highway system, rapid transit system, revival of its downtown and streetcar system, Atlantic Station, in-town ring of greenway and light-rail known as the Atlanta Beltline, and Centennial Park. The volume also engages some of the challenges of Atlanta’s rapid growth including the displacement of low-income communities for stadium development, transit access, planning adequate water supply for a fast-growing region, impacts of the foreclosure crisis, historic preservation, regional economic development planning and more. 

Planning Atlanta will be of interest to researchers, practitioners and others who want to understand this complex and fascinating American city.”

Notable Contributors: Shirley Franklin, former mayor of Atlanta (2001-2009); Douglas Allen, professor emeritus of architecture, Georgia Tech; Mtamanika Youngblood, president of Sweet Auburn Works and founder and president for The Center for Working Families, Inc.; Frank Alexander, Emory Law Professor, former dean and co-founder of the Center for Community Progress; Brian Leary, managing director of Jacoby Development and former president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc.; Alex Garvin, author and faculty, Yale School of Architecture; Michael Dobbins, former planning/urban design director in New York City, New Orleans, Birmingham (Alabama), Berkeley (California) and Atlanta, and professor of practice at Georgia Tech; and many others.