Atlanta Design Festival 2023

Atlanta Design Festival (2023)

Atlanta played host to the Atlanta Design Festival, a global celebration of creativity that unfolded from October 14 to October 22, 2023. The City of Atlanta Department of City Planning (DCP) took center stage, orchestrating two insightful tours and contributing to a thought-provoking panel discussion during the event.

Showcasing Atlanta's Design Brilliance

Ranked among the top 50 design festivals globally by Dezeen, the Atlanta Design Festival provided a unique platform for creative leaders and organizations to converge and showcase Atlanta as a city of innovation in the world of design. Under the banner of MA! Design is Human, the festival brought together architects, product designers, tech enthusiasts, marketers, and more to engage, experience, and enrich Atlanta's cultural and creative communities.

Collier Heights: A Glimpse into Atlanta's Past

One of the highlights of DCP's participation was the tour of Collier Heights, a suburban gem in the postwar South that became a haven for Black Atlantans. Dr. Juanita and Mr. Harold Morton, our knowledgeable tour guides, led a group of 22 participants through the neighborhood's historical homes, each a testament to the architectural preferences of its influential residents.

The shuttle tour ventured through local streets, providing a unique opportunity to explore migration patterns within Atlanta. The journey was more than a physical one; it was a historical exploration culminating in light refreshments at the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church. Here, attendees had the chance to hear firsthand from residents, gaining insights into the neighborhood's evolution over time.

South Downtown: Breathing New Life into History

The second tour, guided by April Stammel, former Senior Vice-President of @SouthDwntn, explored the potential of South Downtown Atlanta. An assemblage of over 50 buildings and six acres of surface parking, the neighborhood holds a vision of revitalization. Historic Hotel Row, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcased its century-old facades, and preserved architectural features. The tour started on Mitchell Street, SW and weaved through several blocks, concluding with a reception at the former location of Newport, LLC.

Housing Design for All: A Thoughtful Dialogue

The DCP also played a pivotal role during the Creative Future Conference, hosting a panel discussion titled Housing Design for All. Featuring esteemed speakers Jim Irwin, Joel Dixon, and Jacob Vallo, moderated by Savannah Sicurella of the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the panel delved into the challenges and opportunities of creating affordable, accessible, and sustainable housing for all Atlantans. It was an insightful exploration of innovative design solutions that can reshape our communities to be more inclusive and sustainable.

The City of Atlanta Department of City Planning left an indelible mark on the city's design landscape. Through engaging tours and a thought-provoking panel, DCP showcased Atlanta's rich history, architectural diversity, and commitment to creating a future that is inclusive, sustainable, and creatively inspiring.

The success of these events underscores Atlanta's position as an innovator of ideas, and the DCP's role in shaping the city's design narrative for years to come.

Many thanks go to…

Elaine DeLeo and Bernard McCoy, the co-founders of the event and dedicated organizers who ensured a seamless execution of the Atlanta Design Festival, curating an experience that captivated participants and celebrated the city's creative brilliance.

Dr. Juanita and Mr. Harold Morton, our knowledgeable and passionate tour guides of the Collier Heights neighborhood.

April Stammel, Senior Vice-President of @SouthDwntn, who guided participants through the revitalization vision of South Downtown, offering a unique perspective on the historic buildings that define the area.

Esteemed speakers Jim Irwin, Joel Dixon, and Jacob Vallo, alongside the insightful moderation of Savannah Sicurella of the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Q&A: Sitting Down with Eric Mack, the artist behind the Studio mural

Have you seen the cool mural that adorns our façade on Broad Street? The mural is a piece by Eric Mack, a local artist. Our public art project manager, Dorian McDuffie, sat down with him to discuss his background and process.

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Where are you from?

“I was born in Charleston, South Carolina and raised in Goose Creek, South Carolina until I graduated at age 17 and moved to Atlanta to attend the Atlanta College of Art.”

When did you discover your interest in art?

“Probably in elementary school.  My mom was a part-time librarian at Trident Technical College in Charleston.  My curiosity was nurtured there early on; I spent every day after school with her in the college library getting exposed to real literature.” 

“At the time, breakdancing was coming on the scene and you had to have your cardboard and all of your utilities.  I would make drawings of dudes doing different breakdancing moves (backspin, the Egyptian move), hats to the side, the symbols – full details. I would sell the drawings in school for fifty cents.”

“I went from selling breakdancing drawings to jeans and clothing.  Rap videos started coming out and I would look at the styles from musicians I liked, and use paint markers to draw on jeans.  I had a big, yellow Bart Simpson on one leg and then I would have my name in big letters running down the front with the New York Knicks and Public Enemy symbols in the back.”

Artist Eric Mack at Mack’s Barbershop.

Artist Eric Mack at Mack’s Barbershop.

“Once I wore it to school -- that was it.  I was going home with two and three pairs of jeans and jean shorts.  Football players were giving me their clothing and their numbers to paint along with the Stratford Knights (our high school).”

“Then I started cutting hair.  At the time Kid & Play was big so I had the high-top fade.  I always liked to push the envelope.  I started cutting designs in my hair, like Big Daddy Cane.  By the tenth grade, I had a barber shop called Mack’s Barbershop.  I’m selling art, just not on paper – they were wearing it.”

Who are some of your influences?

“My work is formed by systems, patterns and forms, so I look at a lot of architecture. My favorite architect is Dame Zaha Hadid. She’s the bomb. Her forms, the compositions, the deconstructive style of architecture that she’s known for. In contemporary installation art, there’s an artist named Sarah Sze.”

What does your artwork represent for you?

“…My life and things that I like.  Everything that I’ve put into the work has always moved me, whether it be flyers, typography, a funny saying.  In some of my older work I would put in random discipline reports from school.  Some of them were funny. I had cut class and my Spanish teacher was going in on me and I sat down, I looked at her and said “(forget) this (crap).”  I went into the office and they typed it verbatim and I kept it and worked it into the work.  Things that make me laugh and things that stimulate me visually.” 

“I don’t get bored quickly, but I want to be entertained. So, I like to make work that entertains me.  If the viewer can join in on that entertainment, great, but the work is not made for the viewer.  I’m making what I want to look at.  If someone buys the work, I’m super excited but if they don’t, that work can live with me at my home studio for the rest of my days because I made what I wanted to look at.”

Talk to me about your work, do you have a specific palette? What else informs your work?

“The feeling around the idea.  One of my past shows was geared towards looking at architecture and its influence. So, my palette used colors associated with construction, soils, different wood tones, cement and asphalt, that mixed with other tones that I like.”

“Also, visual systems. Before architecture it was systems found in our natural world.  I look at furniture, architecture, botanical inspiration…it’s all symmetry, divine proportion and repetition of shape, pattern and form.”

Where are you currently showing?

“I’ll be showing at White Space Gallery in Atlanta and Channel to Channel Gallery  in Nashville in 2020.” 

Tell me about where you work and what you do.

“I’m teaching at Kipp Strive Primary. It’s really fulfilling to work with young minds.  I’m doing something really good and trying to be a positive influence because I’m working in the West End.  What you find out about children is that they teach you what is going on in the community.  It’s not the adults, it’s the children. They inform you by how they act, how they move around, what they say.  I’ve connected with that community in ways I never would or could have if I wasn’t working in education.” 

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Was the mural at the Atlanta City Studio your first mural?

“It was the first mural using my design. I’m known for two-dimensional works but over the years I’ve done a lot of three-dimensional pieces as well. The first mural I did was at Kipp Collegiate High School about five years ago.  I collaborated with Brandon Sadler (a noted graffiti artist in Atlanta). It was for the Jesse Owens movie.  They wanted it to help inspire different students.  I needed Brandon to work with me because I never worked outdoors before.”

What was your experience like working on the mural?

“At first, I said, “I’m honored that you all like the work, but do you really want me to paint on the exterior?” You said, “Yeah!” I said, “Wow, it sounds like she believes in me.” Once the sketch was done it brought it all to reality.  Once I got through to the second color, I said, “I can do this.” and I saw it.  The peacock green was working with the burgundy, then I said, “OK, this is mine!” Then I couldn’t stay away from it.  I would get there at seven in the morning work until 5:30, go home, pick up my daughter, eat, put her to sleep, then I’m back at the mural at 8:00 (at night), stay until 1:30 even 2:00 (in the morning).  At first, I thought I would have to spend a couple hundred dollars on security but what I found out is that when you’re out there making art, a lot of negative vibration might see you, but you’re not going to attract that kind of element.” 

“Art was the great unifier on a dark Broad Street night. A lot of people are giving comments, but they are in the form of jovial questions.  Of course, people asked for spare change, but no one came at me or made me feel unsafe.  It was totally cool.”

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What do you hope for Broad Street and downtown in general?

“I think that there’s a lot of potential.  There’s a lot of energy in this area.  The bikes are out people are walking, they’re walking their dogs… There’s a lot of residents in the area that would support businesses.  Number one, the community wants something that can cater to them. They want something that they can be proud of in their area.”

“There was a father and his two kids.  The son comes up to me and asks what I’m doing.  I tell him I’m doing a project for the City.  He said, “I’m an artist.” I told him “I’d like to see some of your work some time.”  He told me that he had some work in his book bag and pulled it out. He unrolls it, it looked like a color-field abstract painting.  What I know working in education, is that they might not remember what you say but they remember how they felt. He might remember, once the mural is complete, that he talked to the man that made that mural and I showed him my artwork.  He’ll have that memory.”

Keeping Atlanta Atlanta: The Future Places Project

Led by the Department of City Planning, the Future Places Project is taking a close look at Atlanta’s historic preservation guidelines, which were developed nearly 30 years ago. Gathering input from residents, advocacy groups, lawmakers, land surveys and existing documentation, the project will re-evaluate and give structure to the City’s historic preservation guidelines to ensure that Atlanta can support historic preservation for the next 30 years and beyond.

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The Future Places Project consists of six components, which will help shape the City’s historic preservation efforts in the future.

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  • Engagement of residents, property owners, advocates, and people who are new to the conversation.

  • Comparison of ourselves to other cities and places.

  • Collection of information, maps about what we know and what we learn, and completion of some field survey work.

  • Study of historic places in the City’s parks.

  • Creation of a “Story of Atlanta.”

  • Design of a road map for what lies ahead.

This initiative launched in September with a two-part kick-off meeting at the Atlanta City Studio highlighting the goal of this effort and the first round of public meetings concluded in October.  Attendees at these forums had the chance to share their thoughts on historic preservation through participation in a variety of exercises including the following activities:

  • Atlanta Myths

  • What are other cities doing?

  • Historic Preservation Survey

  • What fits best? (Infill housing demonstration)

  • Review of the City of Atlanta’s Historic Parks and a Mapping of Atlanta’s History

A survey on the project is also currently open.  A little over 500 people have completed the Future Places Project survey to date.  Preliminary results show that while there are varying degrees of understanding around the topic of preservation, about 86% of respondents find historical places valuable and 47% feel a physical connection to the past would be lost if historic places were not protected. Of places ranked as important, archaeological sites and cemeteries are the top two out of three choices.  Pre-1860 was identified as the most important time period, followed by the 50s-70s and the Civil War era. However, social activism & protest movements, along with discrimination and segregation were elevated as most critical topics.  We are excited about these results and look forward to a full analysis following additional input through surveys and other public forums.

We continue to schedule additional pop ups at varying events around the city and welcome invites to engage smaller groups in the initiative throughout the remainder of this year. 

There is also an opportunity to view information and take the survey on our project page: http://bit.ly/FuturePlacesProject

 

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Lines Are Drawn: Be Sure to Join Us for the Chattahoochee RiverLands Greenway Study Public Forum

In 2018, The Trust for Public Land, Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), Cobb County and the City of Atlanta came together to develop a vision for a 100-mile long public realm along the Chattahoochee River. For more than 25 years, The Trust for Public Land has collaborated with dozens of partners such as these to protect and preserve the Chattahoochee, with the Chattahoochee RiverLands Greenway Study representing a landmark opportunity to build upon existing efforts such as the Metropolitan River Protection Act (MRPA) and redefine the river as a beloved local, regional and national asset.

Working with nationally renowned landscape architecture and urban design studio SCAPE, the study is being shaped by significant research, guidance from key stakeholders and input from people who have attended public forums. And now, following months of listening, three potential approaches have emerged:

●       Path of Least Resistance

●       Path of Least Ecological Impact

●       A Network of Destinations

The three options weight certain criteria differently, resulting in a varied mix of parks, trails and other amenities along the river. 

A November 2 public forum will offer an opportunity for community members to review maps associated with each of the three approaches and provide feedback to further inform the development of Chattahoochee RiverLands.

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“Our region is growing in so many ways; this process is critical to ensuring quality of life for everyone who has a stake in our region,” said Byron Rushing with the Atlanta Regional Commission. “As with any complex process, compromise will be key. The final plan will take safety, wayfinding, development pressures and other expressed issues and opportunities into consideration.”

The planning process is expected to conclude in spring 2020. Following the release of the study, cities, counties, NGOs and others will work together to bring different parts of the plan to life over the coming decades, factoring in hyper-local needs and remaining nimble as community dynamics change.

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Please join us on Nov. 2 and tell us what you think - every voice matters!

Read more: Walt Ray with The Trust for Public Land and Byron Rushing with the ARC shared early insights into the process in their Q&A for Saporta Report, The Future Begins Now: An Update on the Chattahoochee River Master Planning Process.

A Walk in the Park: the Lush Greenery of Cascade Heights

Bette Maloy, one of the Landscape architects on staff at Atlanta City Studio coordinated a series of nature walks in southwest Atlanta. Today she tells us about the walks and her experiences connecting people to nature.

When entering Cascade Heights, it’s apparent why the neighborhood is called “Atlanta’s Community in a Park”. The dense canopies are impossible to miss, and the lush greenspaces encourage exploration.

Residents eagerly communicated to the Atlanta City Studio staff that nature is a core value in this historic district. Evidence of that sentiment can be seen through the preservation of Lionel Hampton Nature Preserve (previously threatened by development), the beautiful water features and infrastructure investments in Adams Park, and the educational programming of the Outdoor Activity Center (which doubles as the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance’s headquarters). Guided by voices of the community, the Studio created opportunities to highlight this beloved asset. One of the events was a series of nature walks featuring Cascade’s greenspaces and open to anyone. I coordinated these sessions with a co-host who narrated and led us through each space. The following is a collection of experiences I had while reconnecting people to their backyard parks:

Citizen environmentalist, Bruce Morton, speaking on his involvement in the preservation of Lionel Hampton Nature Preserve

Citizen environmentalist, Bruce Morton, speaking on his involvement in the preservation of Lionel Hampton Nature Preserve

Prior to ever meeting Kathryn Kolb, executive director of non-profit Eco-Addendum, I learned of her involvement in Atlanta’s parks and natural greenspaces. Kathryn leads nature walks all over the City, as well as creates naturalist programming and stewardship training (some of which take place in Cascade Springs Nature Preserve). Kathryn’s knowledge as a Certified Naturalist, and her familiarity with Southwest Atlanta, made her an ideal leader for our “Walk in the Park” series. We selected our five locations: Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, Lionel-Hampton-Beecher Hills Preserve, Adams Park, The Outdoor Activity Center, and Herbert Greene Nature Preserve. The first four of these are considered the “major parks” of Cascade, and Herbert Greene feeds into all of these parks via the Utoy Creek.

View from edge of Utoy Creek at Herbert Greene Nature Preserve

View from edge of Utoy Creek at Herbert Greene Nature Preserve

Our first walk in the series was located at Cascade Spring Nature Preserve, home of the only waterfall within city limits. It is also the site of the 1864 Battle of Utoy Creek. I was eager to learn the trail system and expand on my Civil War history, not realizing the true “nature” of forest facts we’d be taught along the way. As we waited in the parking lot for everyone to arrive Kathryn brought our attention to the Wood Thrush singing in the distance. The “ee-oh-lay” song may be familiar to many but had never registered in my ears before. As we stood in silence, we could hear other species beginning to chime in. Kathryn broke the silence by informing us that Wood Thrushes are experiencing a serious population decrease (of 50-some percent), and how their decline impacts entire ecosystems. We hadn’t even started our walk and I already felt a sympathetic connection to this species and the forest ahead.

Antidote for Poison Ivy, native Jewelweed surrounded by invasive Japanese Stiltgrass

Antidote for Poison Ivy, native Jewelweed surrounded by invasive Japanese Stiltgrass

As we proceeded along the boardwalk that opens into the preserve, native and invasive plant species were already brought to our attention. Horse Balm, Wild Ginger, and Bellwort are all indicators of the “original forest”. Jewelweed, the natural antidote for Poison Ivy. Japanese Stiltgrass is a wildly invasive and fast-growing weed, but simple to eradicate if diligent measures are taken. For me, this was a more intentional way to look at our environment. I wanted all my nature walks to be guided – good thing we had four more.

Did you know that it takes 10-20 minutes for a forest to “reset” after being disturbed by visitors? If you’re ever walking through a forest with a large group, the commotion will undoubtedly send animals into hiding. An exercise Kathryn led during a particularly large walk in Herbert Greene involved sitting by the Utoy Creek, a Chattahoochee River tributary, in silence for 15 minutes. Sure enough, after about 10 minutes the forest creatures started getting back to their routine, and after 15 we felt immersed in their habitat. No one wanted to leave our peaceful sanctuary.

White oak acorns served as a mid-walk snack – they’re edible!

White oak acorns served as a mid-walk snack – they’re edible!

While each preserve had different experiences to offer, there were many overlapping themes. We learned how to identify ecosystems based on tree species thriving in each environment. Natives American Elm and Tulip Poplar can be found in lower lying floodplains, while Beeches and Oaks do best on ridges. What seemed to be the most important of the overlapping themes were our frequent discussions of Georgia’s original forest, also called “remnant forests” and “Old Growth” forests. Atlanta is a relatively young city with a different layout than other major cities. We remained small and rural well into the 20th century, so a lot of our forests remained undisturbed. When Atlanta’s population started to increase in the 1950s, development reflected suburban lifestyles (and sprawl) which fortunately preserved a lot of our original forests directly within in the city. This gives us the remarkable opportunity to experience healthy ecosystems which are hundreds of centuries old in many of our intown neighborhoods. In fact, we saw the longevity in our white oaks and live oaks, the longest-lived tree species in our ecosystem (500-800 years).

Each walk had its own unique character, from the wide paved trails in Lionel-Hampton to the natural pathways at the Outdoor Activity Center. Each told its unique story through old trees, waterways, and mossy boulders.

If you haven’t been to any or all of these locations, here are few reasons why you should:

Group shot in front of ~200 year old Beech at the Outdoor Activity Center

Group shot in front of ~200 year old Beech at the Outdoor Activity Center

Cascade Spring Nature Preserve has the only waterfall in Atlanta. Not only are there many walking trails to choose from, but there are plenty of incredible sights. This preserve has an outdoor classroom, the frame of an old greenhouse, and springhouse from when the area used to be mined for fresh water. You can read plaques that tell stories of the Civil War and the 1864 Battle of Utoy Creek that took place there.

Lionel Hampton-Beecher Hills Nature Preserve has both paved and natural trails. This preserve is popular amongst bikers and is easily accessible to the Westside Beltline. It is the largest greenspace in the southwestern quadrant of the city, and home to a variety of forest types.

Adams Park has recreational facilities, a great playground, small streams, and diverse forests. It contains remnant native forest areas and old mossy boulders.

The Outdoor Activity Center is home to West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, a 20-year old organization that leads environmental justice efforts and environmental education for youth. Behind the center, which hosts urban agriculture garden and native plantings, is an urban forest, including a Beech tree dating back to the mid-1800’s.

Herbert Greene Park is a haven for wildlife. This is also where the north and south forks of the Utoy Creek join and become a small river. There are sandbars to walk on which bring you face to face with the water. Ancient rock formations can be found here as well.

Fall color in Herbert Greene Nature Preserve

Fall color in Herbert Greene Nature Preserve

The Broad & Poplar Crosswalk Journey

Today we hear from our Public Art Project Manager, Dorian McDuffie, on the process, development, and execution of a public art project at Broad Street and Poplar in Downtown Atlanta.

My first entrée back into the workforce after an extended leave was to work with the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning (DCP) to help fulfill a vision for Broad Street in Downtown Atlanta. A crosswalk mural was part of the plan for the enhancement of the intersection of Broad and Poplar Streets.  What??!! Are you kidding me?? I get to work on the kind of project I LOVE with the coolest (yes, I said it) department in Atlanta City government??  Uuuuhhh YES!!!!!!! 

Before I had the gig, I drove to said intersection and took a look. Ugly white stripes, uneven pavement.  The upside: it was at the end of what has to be one of the best designed and most utilized public spaces in the city. Because of a collaboration between DCP, Central Atlanta Progress (CAP), Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID), and FlatironCity, the plaza on Broad Street was completed in February 2018. Colorful tables and chairs adorn the space and are constantly full of people. Georgia State students flood the area along with Downtown residents and workers.

Broad and Poplar Streets before crosswalk mural

Broad and Poplar Streets before crosswalk mural

 The other upside: on the opposite end of the plaza, there’s a great crosswalk that was designed by my colleague Vanessa Lira. It makes that whole end of the street pop and is also populated with tons of Downtown pedestrians.

Crosswalk at Broad Street and Peachtree St

Crosswalk at Broad Street and Peachtree St

So, I go down the path of what I know… how to do a public art process 101…

·         Write a call for artists

·         Pull together a public art committee

·         Create a presentation for them

·         Present it to them

Here’s the twist: the committee could pick the top three finalists but not the final winner. That lucky artist was going to be chosen during one of the five “Block Party on Broad Street” events that were scheduled. These events occurred monthly from June through October and were designed to get people on the plaza in the evening. It was also an excellent opportunity to engage the public in dialogue and activities that will inform the future design and programming of the plaza. Allowing the public to vote furthered the mission of having as much community input as possible. I didn’t come up with this brilliant idea, my colleagues did (love working with smart, fun people).

So, the public art selection committee (thank you Heather Alhadeff, Briana Camelo, Sonia Sequeira, Theia Smith, and Freddie Styles) chose Adam Crawford, Deanna Sirlin, and Niki Zarrabi as the three finalists.  Check out their artwork, and their different styles.

Voter during the October Block Party on Broad (and me)

Voter during the October Block Party on Broad (and me)

Luckily the decision was left to the public. I’m still hoping for crosswalks to install the two who didn’t get the commission. 

Adam Crawford’s submission

Adam Crawford’s submission

Deanna Sirlin’s submission

Deanna Sirlin’s submission

Niki Zarrabi’s submission

Niki Zarrabi’s submission

 Niki Zarrabi was the lucky winner. Beautiful right? 

So now it’s time to work out logistics so that the artist could get started. I was extremely lucky to have a Public Works team who worked so well with me. And my colleagues, Simone Heath, Vanessa Lira, Bette Maloy, Quynh Pham, and studio director Kevin Bacon, (yes, THE Kevin Bacon) could not have been easier to work with nor more helpful.

 One office we forgot to coordinate with is the City of Atlanta Office of Film & Entertainment.  So, if you’re reading this and you plan events in Atlanta, ALWAYS check with them to see where and when they’re filming; failure to do so could completely derail your schedule. Once I called them though, they were extremely helpful and blocked off the entire month of October for filming on Broad. Thank you! Thank you

Artist Niki Zarrabi and assistants Sarah Loftus and Donna Zarrab

Artist Niki Zarrabi and assistants Sarah Loftus and Donna Zarrab

The site was even visited by Congressman John Lewis.

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With some tweaks to the design we ended up with a beautiful installation.  The neighborhood has embraced the artwork and the space has been beautifully enhanced.

Crosswalk at Broad & Poplar Streets

Crosswalk at Broad & Poplar Streets

So now it’s time to dedicate the artwork and acknowledge all the amazing people who made it happen.  We did a dedication with a twist. Little did the audience know, we were going to activate AND dedicate the space.

Commissioner Tim Keane was our first speaker and host for the evening. Wilma Sothern, Vice President of Marketing at Central Atlanta Progress spoke, as did Adam Shumaker, Broad Street resident and public transportation advocate. We had a blast! But the best was yet to come…

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gloATL, an amazing dance company whose work is moving public art, did a pop-up performance while Commissioner Keane was getting ready to give a “dissertation” on Atlanta City Design. They danced to the song Downtown by Petula Clark. It was great!!! 

This project is the first of many that this serendipitous pairing of public realm design and public art will produce for the City of Atlanta. I’m excited to be a part of a team of smart, forward-thinking people who will shape what our city looks like. I would like to thank Commissioner Keane and studio director Kevin Bacon for trusting me with this great project. Thanks for allowing me to share this story. Look for more of these from our amazing team at the Atlanta City Studio.

The Atlanta City Design: Aspiring to the Beloved Community

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Change is coming to Atlanta, and we’re going to be ready for it. Projections suggest that we could triple in population within the next couple of decades. It’s no longer a question of do we want to grow but rather how will we use growth to shape the city we want to become. Over a period of 18 months, we crafted The Atlanta City Design: Aspiring to the Beloved Community to be the city’s guiding design. Its purpose is to articulate an aspiration for the future city that Atlantans can fall in love with, knowing that if people love their city, they will make better decisions about it. These decisions will then be reflected in all the plans, policies, and investments the city makes, allowing Dr. King’s concept of the beloved community to guide growth and transform Atlanta into the best possible version of itself.

Our design is rooted in one of the most defining points in our city’s history: Atlanta’s outsized role shaping the Civil Rights Movement. In 1959, Dr. King described the outcome of the Movement as the beloved community. Far from a utopian fantasy, Dr. King saw the beloved community as a realistic and achievable goal – an actual community of people made possible by the Movement. As we prepare for the unprecedented growth ahead, the city must ensure that it also becomes more equitable, more resilient, and more committed than ever to welcoming everyone.

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The Atlanta City Design is the framework for inclusive growth that Atlanta has been missing. We didn’t create a plan with policy and regulatory recommendations for the next 10 years. We created an ambitious design that will perpetually challenge us to live up to our five core values of equity, progress, ambition, access, and nature in the hard work that lies ahead. Our physical design for the city reflects its physical form: not the sprawling highways that defines us now but our entire evolution beginning with our natural state as a verdant forest in the Appalachian Piedmont. This struggle between preservation of our natural condition and our drive towards urbanization is the basis for our design concept that designs for people, nature, and people in ature.

We’re committed to the Atlanta City Design and building the beloved community. In December 2017, we amended our charter to recognize the Atlanta City Design as the design of the city. It is already strategically realigning the city’s myriad plans, projects, policies, and priorities. These are the critical next steps of developing and detailing our design and include the city’s urban ecology framework, new mobility plan, zoning ordinance re-write, historic preservation strategy, and housing strategy. The Atlanta City Design is drawing these plans together with clarity and common purpose in way that has not happened before in the city’s history. It has also inspired a collaboration with the public school system to create an eighth-grade school curriculum in the Atlanta Public School System that is now being taught to over 2,000 students.

The Atlanta City Design is NOT a plan. Planning does a lot of very specific things. It manages the process of planning the city, including the development and enforcement of policies related to land use, transportation, and zoning. It reviews and permits the construction of buildings and other projects. It assists people on all kinds of technical issues and initiatives related to housing, urban design, and preservation. Most often, it’s deep in the weeds, sorting through a lot of details.

That is not what this is about.

The Atlanta City Design is our opportunity to step out of the weeds and consider the city as a whole – to dream about a future Atlanta that we want, and then design our approach to achieve it. This work is fun, but it is also essential, because when we look at the tremendous growth and change that is coming, we see that not changing is not really an option.

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This is why we created the Atlanta City Design. Our intention is to reveal the city’s physical identity as a basis for the design of our future, and then propose ways to improve and accentuate Atlanta’s authentic character in a form that can accommodate a much larger population. Envisioning what that looks like – how Atlanta can become a better place to live and do business while doubling, or even tripling, our population is essential.

Not since Daniel Burnham’s Plan of Chicago in 1909, has a city truly undertaken a long-term design vision fueled by fast-paced growth. Burnham designed the relationship between people and the public realm, proposed a physical form to bring form to formlessness, and led to the development of a public school curriculum to ensure engagement and endurance. Like the Atlanta City Design, the Plan of Chicago is aspirational. Over 100 years later, it continues to shape Chicago’s physical form.

The Atlanta City Design: Aspiring to the Beloved Community is the first step in a design process. Think of it as our concept design for the city. It describes who we are and how, based on that identity, we can leverage the change we see coming to create a dimensional, tangible, and aspirational form that will enable us to become a better version of ourselves. Following through on this aspiration is the next phase: the design development. This phase involves drawings the city’s myriad plans, projects, policies, and plans together with clarity and common purpose in service to the concept. Finally, over the next generation, we will operationalize the design’s actions and ideas through the actual construction of projects that shape the city. This will require the work of the Department of City Planning, the mayor and city council, other divisions of city hall, and many external partners, including everyday citizens.

The Atlanta City Design is capturing the city’s imagination, mobilizing its residents to action, and instilling a sense of accountability to its future. We are building the beloved community. When built, this design will enable a new generation of growth to create an even better Atlanta for everyone.