Decatur

Empty Decatur Square plaza with fall trees in Decatur, Georgia

Decatur Approves New Food Cart Program

Mobile food vendors can now apply for permits to operate in several of the city’s public spaces.

June 5, 2023 - Eater Atlanta

Aerial view of gazebo and surrounding lawn and buildings in Decatur Square, Decatur, Georgia

Decatur Reveals Proposed Downtown Master Plan Updates

The city wants to boost economic development in its historic core, improve transit and connectivity, and encourage more housing near its MARTA rail station.

March 8, 2023 - Decaturish

Aerial view of Decatur, Georgia with cloudy sky

Decatur Moves Closer to Legalizing Duplexes, ‘Missing Middle Housing’

A proposal to permit multifamily housing units in areas previously zoned for single-family homes passed its first hurdle, but requires a second vote to go into effect.

January 19, 2023 - Decaturish

Rendering of proposed Church Street raised separated cycletracks and reduced traffic lanes

Separated Bike Lanes, Traffic Calming Coming to Decatur Street

Decatur's Church Street is set to undergo a transformation that will reduce traffic lanes, add cycletracks, and widen sidewalks in an effort to make the corridor more 'people-friendly.'

February 18, 2022 - Urbanize Atlanta

2018 Razzle Dazzle Parade

The Midwest Paces the Nation in Population Loss

Two cities in Illinois are examined as case studies of population decline in the post-industrial economy.

June 10, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Bike Infrastructure

Bike Lane Program Creates Controversy in Atlanta Suburb

Decatur, Georgia planned big for bike infrastructure, and now car commuters are saying traffic is more congested than ever.

February 4, 2020 - Atlanta Journal Constitution

A Small Town Supports Citywide 25-mph Speed Limit

One town in Georgia recently conducted a public opinion poll finding that most of its 19,000-plus citizens support reduced speed limits on all city streets.

January 16, 2015 - Decatur Metro

McMansions Spark Debate in Decatur, Georgia

Call them teardowns, infill, or McMansions, the affluent suburb of Decatur, Georgia is dealing with growing concern about neighborhood character and tree canopy as property owners adopt the trend toward new, large houses in existing neighborhoods.

July 1, 2014 - Atlanta Creative Loafing

Building Resilience Through Reconnected Communities

What has the United States lost in its journey from a nation of communities to a nation of individuals? Resilience, for one, says Scott Doyon, who suggests how we can utilize community design and planning processes to regrow social ties.

August 14, 2013 - PlaceShakers

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.