A Smart City Quietly Grows in Georgia

Peachtree Corners is putting the ‘smart city’ model into practice, taking a methodical approach to introducing new technology and autonomous devices.

2 minute read

October 12, 2022, 9:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


A small Atlanta suburb is rapidly becoming a model for the much-discussed ‘smart city,’ but the city may look less futuristic than you imagine, writes Mohar Chatterjee in Politico.

“The 45,000-person city is home to an unusual public innovation experiment. Peachtree Corners’ chief technology officer, who also happens to be the assistant city manager, runs an incubator called Curiosity Lab, which invites private firms to come test out their prototypes in a 500-acre public space called Technology Park Atlanta.” The concept recalls Walt Disney’s goal for E.P.C.O.T. and Larry Page’s idea for the smart city Sidewalk Labs would build: a living community as an innovation lab for new inventions and technology.

With the new technology, Peachtree will also have to navigate the new waters of data privacy and safety. “It’s the kind of place entrepreneurs and civic leaders will need to reckon with as they make their next round of high-tech promises.” The city is proceeding cautiously. For example, “Right now, Peachtree Corners has gone as far as any American city in integrating self-driving vehicles — but the city’s autonomous shuttles still run only in dedicated lanes.”

The city is using the strictest federal standards for data privacy as it encourages home builders in the community to install data-gathering devices. “[Chief Technology Officer and deputy city manager Brandon Branham] said he is aware of the ‘fine balance’ between ensuring data privacy and having a better operational base to deploy citywide IoT technologies.”

Tuesday, October 4, 2022 in Politico

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Floor-to-ceiling rotating gates at Fairmount subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems

SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

April 28 - Mass Transit

South LA Wetlands Park in Los Angeles, California.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope

Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

April 28 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Intersection in downtown Sacramento, California with neoclassical building with columns on left.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects

The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.

April 28 - The Sacramento Bee