A New Start for How and Where Metro Atlanta Grows

by Jeff DuFresne, Executive Director
Urban Land Institute - Atlanta

Seventy-five years ago, in December 1936, the Urban Land Institute was chartered during a time of great uncertainty in financial markets, shifting economic growth engines, changing demographics and household composition, and an ongoing influx of immigrants. Cities around the country were trying to recover from the Great Depression and position themselves as leaders in an economy then dominated by manufacturing.

The world is changing. For ULI Atlanta, December 2011 could be considered a new starting point -- a date to think ahead about what’s to be accomplished for the next 75 years. ULI Atlanta is uniquely positioned to lead in this time of change by anticipating how the impact of urban design and development will meet expectations of Atlanta residents for livability, amenities, flexibility and choice. Land development is, by nature, a forward-looking enterprise. The work we start now will become the Atlanta of tomorrow. Whether we’ve learned from the past will be measured by how much of what we build remains relevant, appealing and worth preserving in 75 more years. 

Go to www.uli75.org to see what ULI has planned to celebrate our 75th anniversary!