City On The Verge by Mark Pendergrast

City on the Verge by Mark Pendergrast is a deeply researched effort to capture the history of Atlanta and its neighborhoods, from the still elite area where the author spent his childhood to bustling zones of gentrification and immovable pockets of desperation.

The book examines Atlanta’s, and America’s, urban future, focusing on issues such as income inequality, long commutes, public transportation woes, sprawl, disparate neighborhoods, and racial injustice.

The author combines the story of how the BeltLine project has progressed with a historical discussion of the issues underlying the need for the project.

He situates City on the Verge within the larger context of urban America’s future, making it a must-read for urban-planning junkies, community builders, and anyone who cares about our future.

What I Liked

Ok – I live in the City of Atlanta, just blocks from the Southside section of the BeltLine next to a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood and a rapidly changing school cluster. I was fascinating to read a book basically about immediate changes that I am living through and participating in. Even though it’s difficult, I am hopeful that Atlanta can pull off a change to become a more sustainable, livable city that is still inclusive and affordable.

I have a bet with a friend in Boston about whether Boston can become affordable faster than Atlanta can become sustainable & livable. I’m betting on Atlanta.

What I Did Not Like

It’s a pretty niche book and even though the author tried to make Atlanta a microcosm for America – it’s still mostly a book about Atlanta.

City On The Verge by Mark Pendergrast

$8.02

In City on the Verge, Mark Pendergrast takes a close look at Atlanta's history and its evolving neighborhoods, touching on critical issues like income inequality and racial injustice. I found the book particularly engaging because I live in Atlanta and can see these changes firsthand. Pendergrast connects the BeltLine project to the broader challenges cities face, making it a great read for anyone interested in urban planning. However, I felt it was a bit niche; while it aims to represent urban America, it still feels very much focused on Atlanta itself. Overall, it’s a worthwhile read that sparks hope for the city’s future.

Pros:

• Deeply researched and informative about Atlanta's history and neighborhoods
• Addresses critical urban issues like income inequality and racial injustice
• Relevant for those interested in urban planning and community building

Cons:

• It's a niche book focused primarily on Atlanta, despite attempts to generalize to America.

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03/16/2025 02:27 am GMT