Atlanta Urbanist Book Group
A Better Atlanta, One Book at a Time
Our mission at the Atlanta Urbanist Book Group is to introduce new ideas to Urban Atlanta by reading recent books about cities, identifying the ideas we think would work in Atlanta, and offering civic leaders a guide to these ideas.
We define “urbanism” broadly. We are reading books about transportation, land use, housing, public safety, government reform, neighborhoods, social infrastructure, education, economic development, regionalism, diversity, politics, arts and culture, volunteerism, and more.
Our aim isn’t to review books but to show how their ideas apply to Atlanta today and suggest ways of moving from good ideas to good actions.
Interested? Like to join us for a discussion? Click here to sign up for our email notices about books and meeting dates.
You can also subscribe to our calendar of events on Google. Click this link to have our meetings connected to your phone’s calendar and updated two or three months in advance. You’ll never have to wonder when the Atlanta Urbanist Book Group meets next.
Next Book: How Infrastructure Works: Inside the Systems That Shape Our World
Mar 4, 2026
We will discuss a book that shows us the infrastructure systems around us and helps us see their challenges and opportunities. The greatest challenges: adapting these systems to climate change as we transition them to new forms of energy. Another challenge: There are major issues with aging infrastructure, including water and sewers. We have experience with this in the Atlanta area.
Deb Chachra is an engineering professor and frequent writer about technology and society.
In our discussion, we will look for lessons about infrastructure for Urban Atlanta.