Atlanta

MARTA Launches Planning Effort for Northern Extension of the Red Line

A plan in the earliest possible stages of outreach and environmental review would extend the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's existing Red Line north of Atlanta farther into Fulton County.

April 15, 2015 - ATL Urbanist

Peachtree Plaza

Atlanta's Favorite Architect Inspires Science Fiction

Even movies set long ago and far, far away have to be filmed somewhere. With uncanny frequency, many of them, including "The Hunger Games" and "Insurgent," have been filmed in the futuristic/dystopian landscape designed by John Portman in Atlanta.

April 2, 2015 - The Atlantic

Foreclosure Sign

Homeowners Are Going Underwater Again

The narrative about the full recovery of the real estate market from the housing market crash of 2008 is only true in some parts of the country. In fact, an increasing number of homeowners owe more than their homes are worth.

March 22, 2015 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Surveying the Results of 150 Years of Persistent Growth in Atlanta

The American Institute of Architects will visit Atlanta this year, a month after the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War. What should we know about the city as it exists today?

March 18, 2015 - Architect

Millennial Advisory Panel Convened for Atlanta's Regional Planning Effort

The Atlanta Regional Commission is engaging Millennials in an ongoing planning effort that will determine the shape of the region through 2040.

March 13, 2015 - Atlanta Regional Commission

Atlanta Announces Bikeshare Plans; Targets 2016 to Double Bike Commuters

The contract is signed, after years of planning, Bikeshare is coming to Atlanta as part of an ambitious goal to double the number of bike commuters in the city by 2016.

March 4, 2015 - Atlanta Creative Loafing

McMansions

Does America Still Want Sprawl?

Increased awareness of sprawl’s negative effects has not led to a drop-off in its construction. Developers say they only build what the market demands.

March 2, 2015 - The Atlantic

Atlanta Voters to Decide on $250 Million Infrastructure Bond

States aren't the only ones looking for new ways to fund crumbling transportation infrastructure. Atlanta voters, for instance, will consider a $250 infrastructure bond proposal in the March election.

February 16, 2015 - Atlanta Creative Loafing

Atlanta Skyline

How to Revive a Transit Agency

Under CEO Keith Parker, Atlanta's formerly desperate transit agency is picking up steam after suffering annual deficits of up to $33 million. The service area has expanded, the fleet is being modernized, and voters approved a new transit tax.

February 6, 2015 - CityLab

Sprawl vs. Unions

The three very different stories of the building trades in Atlanta, Denver, and Portland show just how much urban development patterns affect workers.

February 6, 2015 - Shelterforce

Friday Funny: What Makes a Nerd-Friendly City?

Movoto has produced a pair of rankings: "The 10 Nerdiest Cities in America" and "The 10 Nerdiest Small Cities in America." According to the lists, there must be something in the water in Georgia.

February 6, 2015 - Movoto Blog

Riding New Atlanta's Streetcar for a Week: a Commuter's Diary

The debate about the effectiveness of streetcars as an alternative form of transportation (rather than just a driver of property values) isn't going anywhere. The latest test case for the ongoing experiment: Atlanta.

January 21, 2015 - Atlanta

Atlanta Streetcar

Atlanta Streetcar Finally Opens

It's 'back to the future' for Atlanta's $98 million investment that opened Dec. 30, although these will be modern, not vintage, streetcars that operate on a small loop. Streetcars last operated here in 1949. Mayor Reed intends to lengthen the route.

January 3, 2015 - The New York Times

Atlanta International Airport

RFQ Released for Atlanta's Planned 'Airport City'

The city of Atlanta is moving forward with a plan to upgrade the world's busiest airport to "Airport City" status.

December 29, 2014 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

The End of the Era of Cheap Water

In many places around the country, the price of water is increasing, quickly. While the reasons for the increase vary depending on the location, common to the issue is the ability of planning to either help or hinder the problem.

December 9, 2014 - Governing

Walk Along with an Atlanta Road Safety Audit

Metropolitan Atlanta accounts for half of the pedestrian fatalities in Georgia. One pedestrian advocacy group is doing the legwork to begin the process of improving the city's pedestrian infrastructure.

November 30, 2014 - PEDS

Collisions Trouble Atlanta Streetcar Testing

Some would argue that introducing streetcars to auto-oriented streets is a recipe for collisions. Drivers in Atlanta are already having trouble mixing with streetcars, before the system even launches.

November 25, 2014 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Switching to Transit in Atlanta—Affordable but Unlikely

Darin from ATL Urbanist picks up on a recent report by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) finding that residents of Atlanta can save big money by ditching their cars and riding transit.

November 17, 2014 - ATL Urbanist

MARTA Crowdfunds Bike Repair Facilities Near Stations

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) turned to crowdfunding for a small project that could have big returns in luring bikers to go multi-modal on public transit.

November 13, 2014 - Progressive Railroading

MARTA to Expand into Suburban Clayton County

After a ballot measure approved the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's (MARTA) expansion into a suburban county outside of Atlanta, the transit agency could set precedent on how to effectively adapt to sprawling suburbs.

November 7, 2014 - The Week

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.