19. Atlanta, GA

Inland Port Takes Steps

Atlanta, GA: Inland Port Takes Steps

Hotlanta? How about Greenlanta? The city leads the southeast in LEED-registered buildings—over 140 projects are currently seeking certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. It also has a “no net loss” policy for its trees. One challenge to Atlanta: urban sprawl. Five hundred thousand Atlantans live in the city proper, while five million people are sprawled into the eight-county metro area. To remedy that, city planners are working on dense, transit-oriented development along Atlanta’s BeltLine, a 22-mile-long old railroad track that runs the perimeter of the city. Next on the agenda? Diversifying its energy portfolio.

Atlantans enjoying the sun at the city's Dogwood Festival. (Photo by Daniel Mayer)

Atlanta's Rankings

Atlanta sustainlability rankings chart Cities are ranked relative to each other. A longer bar denotes a higher ranking.
Atlanta, GA: City Charts

City Study 2008: Atlanta Articles

Since When is a Growing Beltline Good?...

Since When is a Growing Beltline Good?...

Anyone who listens to doctors, personal trainers, and nutritionists is well aware that an expanding belt line is not a good thing. Unless, of course, you happen to be the city of Atlanta. If all goes as planned, the “Beltline” project, nicknamed for a set of unused railway tracks surrounding the city, will include light rail, 1,300 acres of new parks, affordable housing, and walking and cycling trails. Over the next 25 years, Atlanta residents can expect to see an estimated 2.8 billion dollars of investment surge into the old railway line, whose design is based on a Georgia Tech student’s master’s thesis.more »

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Latest Comments
Ken O.
Ken O. says

Here's some perspective on why the Peach State's capitol is leading on Green Building... they passed a "cool roofing" amendment to the state code in the mid-90s.

http://www... more »

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Atlanta Talk

Beth B.

Discussion: Atlanta is ready for a Sustainable Building Ordinance

Well it would have helped if I hadn't typed so fast : ) When I say our side I mean a large group of interested parties who support the ordinance not just Southeast Green. And... more »

Ken O.

Discussion: Track Energy Consumption and Savings

So far Greening Neighborhoods/Atlanta is the most active neighborhood block party in the country. Your group is off to a great start. Let's see who else decides to man up! more »

Ken O.

Discussion: Heating and Air Conditioning

Please make sure not to breathe in the fiberglass! Good work on insulating your house. If everyone did this they'd be saving lots of money every month in the winter and summer... more »

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The first law of sustainability: population growth and/or growth in the rate of consumption of resources cannot be sustained. —Dr. Albert Bartlett

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