Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Network Roundup

An Atlanta Neighborhood's Vanished Street Grid

10:44 AM EDT on June 19, 2014

Atlanta's Vine City neighborhood was destroyed in the name of urban renewal. Image: PEDSAtlanta
Atlanta's Vine City neighborhood was destroyed in the name of urban renewal. Image: @PEDSAtlanta

Ever heard of Atlanta's Vine City? No? That could be because it was largely obliterated by urban renewal two generations ago.

These side-by-side images shared today by Darin at ATL Urbanist show the street grid in Vine City, near downtown Atlanta, in 1911 and today. And Darin says the city is poised to expand this hole in the city's fabric:

I found this image on the PEDS Twitter feed: look at the wonderful street grid we lost when the enormous state-owned Georgia World Congress Center/Georgia Dome complex was built on land connecting Vine City to Downtown.

The footprint of this property is actually being expanded with construction the new Falcons stadium, demolishing two community churches along the way.

This GWCC complex is a remnant of 1960s-70s “urban renewal” developments that aimed to revitalize city centers, like Downtown Atlanta, that were suffering from suburban flight.

Far from a success. the urban-renewal movement was a failure when it comes to good placemaking. It has left us with disconnected neighborhoods that are surrounded by megablocks and wide roads built for maximum car capacity.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Bike Portland shares a cool video showing off temporary pedestrian spaces Portland recently created as part of a "Better Block" event. Greater Greater Washington examines migration within the DC area for different demographic groups. And Bikemore reflects on the death of a local cyclist, killed on a cross-country charity ride.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Why Chicago Advocates Are Providing Bikes to Migrants

Unless funds are freed up from a larger entity, bike distribution to asylum seekers is going to stay in crisis mode indefinitely.

October 2, 2023

Monday’s Headlines Are Open for Business

Monday will be just another Monday for federal employees, as Congress avoided a government shutdown. Plus, declining gas tax revenue provides an opportunity to rethink transportation funding.

October 2, 2023

Why Connecticut is Investing in New Regional Rail

Gov. Ned Lamont will spend $315 million investment on new rail cars — but they're not going anywhere near Grand Central. Here's why.

October 2, 2023

NYers Share Their ‘End of Days’ Flooding Pics

It's bad out there. How bad? Here is a citywide roundup from our staff ... and our friends on social media.

September 29, 2023

To Help Save the Planet, Take the ‘Week Without Driving’ Challenge

Former Sierra Club President Ramón Cruz is urging Americans to give up driving for seven days — and support policies to make it optional for everyone.

September 29, 2023
See all posts