Livable Buckhead’s Sustainability Impact

Where We Have Been. Where We Are Going.

Just what does Livable Buckhead (LB) do for Atlanta? We construct and implement creative solutions helping to address sustainability, livability, and commerce in Buckhead and the City of Atlanta. Contributing to the enhancement of resilient neighborhoods, we provide resources and guide development to make Buckhead a place where everyone can live, work, and play in a manner that supports our sustainability goals.

This comes to reality in the form of new walking trails and parks, providing and promoting alternative forms of transportation like the BUC, MARTA passes, and carpooling, facilitating corporate sustainability initiatives like recycling and energy efficiency, putting on engaging community events that promote wellness and a sense of community, and overseeing the development and construction of the Buckhead commercial core.

How do we do this? We work with regional partners like the Atlanta Regional Commission, Buckhead Community Improvement District, Buckhead Coalition, City of Atlanta, corporate sponsors and many others to leverage resources and develop programs that serve our community. In 2023 alone, LB brought close to 6 million in funding for the Buckhead community. For every local dollar invested, LB brought in $1.10 of external investment. For every CID dollar invested, LB brought in $1.88 of additional investment.

In 2018 we adopted a Sustainability Action Plan with a vision to infuse climate, social, and economic wellbeing into all our initiatives. Improving mobility in the Buckhead neighborhood is a foundational pillar of the Action Plan as we seek to transform the perspective of a place designed around the automobile to a more vital urban center focused on the pedestrian experience and mobility options. Let’s look at some of our mobility results from the past year.

The Buc Shuttle – Providing last-mile connectivity around the commercial core (April 2022- December 2023)

• 41,023 rides completed
• 198 highest number of daily rides
• 6,446 accounts created

Georgia Commute Options (GCO)

• Carpooling increased by 43% from 2022 to 2023 with 5,586 recorded trips.
• The Discounted Transit Program added five new partners.

The impact of these results eliminated 3.65M vehicle miles in commute and 1,300 metric tons of CO2 emissions. Our 2023 Ridership Survey for The Buc indicates 30% of potential riders would like to see the hours extended and 43% would like to see the service expanded.

Just a few other things to celebrate from 2023:

Livable Buckhead’s dedicated team of 11 members tirelessly works year-round to engage with residents and commuters, offering essential services, resources, and exciting events. Our programming covers various sectors crucial to sustainable living in the neighborhood, including Mobility, Public Safety, Greenspace, Waste, Energy, Arts & Culture, Health & Wellness, and Water. With a wide array of initiatives, we strive to impact and engage everyone, catering to diverse interests. Here are just a few highlights:

• The Atlanta Urban Design Commission awarded LB its Community Design Award for Cultural, Health, and Wellness Programs in June of 2023. Expanding greenspaces, we saw the addition of 57 trees. Just one mature tree will absorb more than 48 lbs. of CO2 and release oxygen in exchange.
• LB facilitated the start-up of a WaterHub at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital that will reduce the hospital’s water footprint by over 40% and save an estimated 750 million gallons of potable water over the next decade.
• Through grant funding, LB helped provide free glass recycling to 21 multifamily properties resulting in 40,155 lbs of glass diverted from the landfill–that’s the same weight as 4 African elephants!
• Volunteers are the advocates for our mission. With over 480 hours and 124 new participants in 2023, LB is extending its reach by serving the community through action and awareness.
• We promoted and educated the community with multiple series dedicated to recycling helping to reduce waste and highlighted the celebration of Atlanta Women Sustainability Leaders.

Our exciting initiatives on the 2024 horizon:

• In 2024, priorities for mobility include a new regional ride-matching platform and updated GCO Flex Work strategies.
• We will continue to perfect PATH 400 with the unwavering dedication of Denise Starling. PATH 400 will see continuous construction and infrastructure improvements such as Loridans to Sandy Springs, a new workout equipment installation, and rebuilding the roadway up to Miami Circle Gateway.
• Fundraising campaigns for safe infrastructure such as Raising the Rails and the continued support of the Monthly Giving Program are critical for future projects.
• Progressively addressing demands for a net zero future, we will be focusing on delivering carbon-neutral buildings, and increasing awareness while partnering with architects, developers, and local businesses. Specifically, the embodied carbon or emissions created during the construction process. We will continue supporting events fostering a culture of sustainability.
• A Pilot Plan for Employer Assisted Housing (EAH) is being developed.
• We’ll seek community input as we update our Sustainability Action Plan

It’s time to get to work cultivating a resilient sustainable future for our city. Follow us on the journey!