The City of Atlanta announced the upcoming year-long celebration of Neighborhood Planning Units’ (NPU) 50th Anniversary. Legislation establishing the NPU system was signed and approved on August 13, 1974, and five decades later the City is excited to look back at the system’s rich history, commemorate this milestone, celebrate key accomplishments, and reimagine the system for the future. The NPU system is the official avenue for residents and businesses to influence neighborhood planning and growth.

“Neighborhood Planning Units have reached their 50^th year thanks to the vision of Mayor Maynard Jackson, and thanks to the residents and businesses who show their love of their city through community engagement. As we celebrate this milestone, let us continue to move Atlanta forward by further empowering participation in the collaborative city planning provided in NPUs,” said Mayor Andre Dickens.

The Department of City Planning is preparing for a full year of events and initiatives in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, City departments, partner agencies, and community organizations and business organizations. These partnerships will help celebrate expressions of civic power and reach more Atlantans with the opportunity to be part of this work.

The City will celebrate the NPU’s 50th Anniversary in three phases. Phase 1, “Legacy of Love” (January-April), will honor NPU trailblazers and commemorate former Mayor Maynard Holbrook Jackson’s legacy. Phase 2 (May-August) and Phase 3 (September-December) will focus on celebrating the NPU system’s present and reimagining the system for an even more effective 50 years ahead.

Former Mayor Maynard Jackson captured the importance of public participation in his 1974 inaugural speech saying, “We must be a city of love, and our definition of love must be a definition of action... Love must be a city filled with people working together to improve the quality of all our lives.”

Earlier this year, Mayor Dickens announced series of events celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the inauguration Mayor Jackson—Atlanta’s first Black Mayor.

For more information about the 50th Anniversary celebrations of NPUs and ways to get involved, please visit us at npuatlanta.org.