In the book, Dr. Fullilove, Professor of Clinical Sociomedical Sciences and Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University and Public Director of the American Institute of Architects, “takes readers on a tour of successful collaborative interventions that repair cities and reconnect communities to make them whole.” She does this using nine elements of restoration:

1. Keep the whole city in mind
2. Find what you’re FOR
3. Make a mark
4. Unpuzzle the fractured space
5. Unslum all neighborhoods
6. Create meaningful places
7. Strengthen the region
8. Show solidarity with all life
9. Celebrate your accomplishments

Urban Alchemy is also one of the textbooks being used in Georgia Tech’s Semester in the City: Engaging Westside Communities.

In her talk at AARL, which hosts regular arts and literature events, Dr. Fullilove asserts that despite the working assumption in our society, we are not in competition, and need to learn to build trust, build teams, and cooperate.  Pick up the book at Charis Books and More and find out how you can join in the collaborative and help us go “From Chaos to Communication”.

All meetings, facilitated by PEQ and presented by APD Solutions, were well-attended with redents being very vocal about their questions and concerns. Notable development representatives include Kimley-Horne, Cooper Carry, and Invest Atlanta. Elected officials present indluded: Byron Amos, Vice Chair for Atlanta Board of Education; “Able” Mable Thomas, State Representative; and Michael Julian Bond and Ivory Young, District 3 Councilmembers for Atlanta City Council.

The final meeting reviewed suggestions that APD Solutions has made over the course of their Neighborhood Implementation Planning process.

Some identified development themes included:

• Neighborhood Amenities
• Sustainability
• Heritage Tourism
• Entertainment
• Connections

The key project areas are:

1. James P. Brawley Corridor
2. Joseph E. Boone Corridor
3. Northside Corridor (mixed-use)
4. Northside Corridor (entertainment)
5. Martin Luther King Jr. Corridor

Recommendations for quick implementations:

• Streetscaping
• Traffic controls
• Land banking
• Urban Agriculture
• Tax Relief for seniors

View the Westside TAD Aggregate Map.