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 citizens and civic leaders a guide to these ideas.
We define “urbanism” broadly. We read 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.
Next Book: Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence
Nov 4, 2026
We will discuss a book about gun violence, what causes most homicides, where they happen, and how acts of violence could be reduced in American cities.
Jens Ludwig is an economics professor, director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab and a longtime researcher into the causes of violence.
In our discussion, we will focus on how Urban Atlanta’s cities could reduce gun violence and how other institutions could play a role.