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Atlanta Urban Design Commission visual arts materials

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.VIS443

Scope and Contents

This collection contains images, historic property surveys, and maps which depict Atlanta and its neighborhoods. AUDC generated these materials, gathered by trained volunteers and unidentified photographers, to document and study the neighborhoods and important structures to gauge their historic significance. Materials depict residences, commercial buildings, streetscapes, religious structures, schools, cemeteries, industrial sites, parks, and government buildings. Also included are city maps, neighborhood maps, subdivision plats, floor plans, concept drawings, and architectural drawings. Materials were likely used to illustrate the conditions of the city between 1973 to 1995 and the possibilities for future developments based on historical information gathered. Additionally, the materials contain images of AUDC staff and affiliated persons during events and staff meetings.

Dates

  • 1912-2005, undated (bulk 1973-1995)

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.

Biographical / Historical

In 1975, the city of Atlanta Department of Budget and Planning established the Atlanta Urban Design Commission (AUDC) as part of the Historic Preservation Program "to maintain and enhance the city of Atlanta through the preservation of its historical and architectural heritage and to prevent the destruction of cultural assets.” The mayor and city council appointed eleven Atlanta residents to the Urban Design Commission which is responsible for developing and administering the city’s historic preservation and urban design activities. They designate zoning protection for buildings, sites, and districts based on their historic, architectural, and/or cultural significance. Through these reviews and information gathered from public hearings the AUDC makes recommendations to the city council. In addition, the Commission reviews public art works on city property and the location, design, alteration, or demolition of parks, buildings, and other city infrastructure. It also reviews and makes recommendations to the city of Atlanta Zoning Review Board and Board of Zoning Adjustment pertaining to protected sites, and it organizes programs to increase public awareness about historic preservation and urban design. In 2010, the Urban Design Commission became part of the Office of Planning in the Department of Planning and Development. In 2017, the AUDC became part of the Department of City Planning within the Office of Design.

Extent

19,312 item(s) (4,525 black and white negatives, 4,272 color slides, 4,055 color photographic prints, 2,974 surveys, 2,787 black and white photographic prints, 497 color negatives, 86 maps, 49 sheets, 41 architectural drawings, 14 floorplans, nine photocopies, two black line drawings, and one color postcard)

Language

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

These materials are arranged in three series. Series I: Neighborhoods; Series II: Georgia architectural and historic property surveys; and Series III: Maps. Each series is arranged in alphabetical order with titles supplied by staff. Control numbers are intentionally out of order to maintain alphabetical order.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Many of the images in this collection are located in cold storage (CS) as indicated in the descriptive inventory. Patrons must allow 24 hours after retrieval of cold storage item(s) before viewing material.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

This collection contains digital material that is available at: https://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/digital/collection/p17222coll30

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 2005

Related Materials

Atlanta Urban Design Commission records, MSS 1272, Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center

Bias in Description Note

As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information. We choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, and bias is reflected in our descriptions, which may not accurately convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materials. Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment. In working with this collection, we often re-use language used by the former owners of the material. This language provides context but often includes bias and prejudices reflective of the time in which it was created. The Kenan Research Center’s work is ongoing to implement reparative language where Library of Congress subject terms are inaccurate and obsolete.​

Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or descriptions, please let us know by emailing reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.

Processing Information

This collection was processed in 2024.

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Atlanta Urban Design Commission visual arts materials
Subtitle
ahc.VIS443
Author
Mariah Isbell
Date
July 2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

http://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/
Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040