Race and the Shaping of Twentieth Century Atlanta (Fred W. Morrison Series in Southern Studies)

Rating:
Summary: If you had no idea race controls YOUR city's planning.......
Review: "Race and the Shaping of 20th Century Atlanta" is a great outline of how race can change and direct the planning of cities. A little tough to remember the acronyms sometimes, but overall a good history. Addresses zoning issues, building projects, and even why Atlanta's interstate and public transportation are where they are. It's a fascinating look at how race affected and even still affects our lives today. As Bayor himself says while lecturing about urban history and city planning, "you get what you plan for." Certainly, Atlanta still shows the product of decisions that were made as early as our city's founding! Thought the book is titled "...Atlanta," it certainly can be applied to many of our great cities. It's amazing how it all works together. Great read--definitely good for those interested in many topics, from architecture, to urban history, to city planning, to racial issues.

Rating:
Summary: If you had no idea race controls YOUR city's planning.......
Review: "Race and the Shaping of 20th Century Atlanta" is a great outline of how race can change and direct the planning of cities. A little tough to remember the acronyms sometimes, but overall a good history. Addresses zoning issues, building projects, and even why Atlanta's interstate and public transportation are where they are. It's a fascinating look at how race affected and even still affects our lives today. As Bayor says himself when lecturing about city planning, "you get what you plan for." Certainly, Atlanta still shows the product of decisions that were made as early as our city's founding! Thought the book is titled "...Atlanta," it certainly is a book that can tell us about many cities. Great read.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for any new Atlantan
Review: If you live in Atlanta and wonder why its Briarcliff becomes Moreland when you cross Ponce, why Marta [stinks], or why even now this vibrant city seems so segregated, you need to read this book. It is an enlightening (if at some points dense) view of the history of Atlanta from the perspective on race and especially for my generation (those who grew up after the civil rights movement) it is a book about the side of race relations you can not truly fathom until you are able to put Atlanta of the past together with Atlanta today.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for any new Atlantan
Review: If you live in Atlanta and wonder why its Briarcliff becomes Moreland when you cross Ponce, why Marta [stinks], or why even now this vibrant city seems so segregated, you need to read this book. It is an enlightening (if at some points dense) view of the history of Atlanta from the perspective on race and especially for my generation (those who grew up after the civil rights movement) it is a book about the side of race relations you can not truly fathom until you are able to put Atlanta of the past together with Atlanta today.