The End of Atlanta's Sprawl

The age of sprawl is ending in Atlanta, according to Christopher Leinberger, who highlights the city's move towards a more dense, walkable future.

1 minute read

November 8, 2008, 5:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"The underlying population and employment growth will continue -- well above national rates. However, where that growth will locate is evolving."

"We are witnessing the beginning of the end of sprawl. Like much of the rest of the country, the overproduction of automobile-driven suburban development at the fringe of the Atlanta metropolitan area has reached its limits. The combination of outrageous commutes, environmental degradation and the increasing number of consumers preferring a "walkable urban" way of life have combined to start the end of the geometric increase in land consumption of the past half century."

"Metro Atlanta is following a national trend in creating and growing high-density, walkable urban places. The two-week party that was the Olympics in 1996 first showed you how exciting a temporary walkable urban place could be, and you set out to make it permanent over the subsequent decade."

"But it definitely is not confined to downtown."

Wednesday, November 5, 2008 in Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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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

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