In 1947, the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) was created in Atlanta and became the first publicly-supported, multi-county planning agency in the United States. The member governments were DeKalb and Fulton Counties and the City of Atlanta. MPC was the predecessor to today’s Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), which has grown to encompass 10 counties and the City of Atlanta.
ARC invites you to explore the fascinating story of regional planning in metro Atlanta at the ARC Archival Collection housed at the Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center. At the center, you will find reports of visions and planning efforts dating back to 1936, along with research, regional data and detailed records and transcripts of the meetings of the Atlanta Regional Commission Board and its Committees.
The Kenan Research Center provides public access to the collection as well as research assistance. The center is free and open to the public, Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm. ARC collection materials will be pulled from closed stacks upon request.
To survey the holdings in the ARC Archives, go directly to the Kenan Research Center’s Terminus Search Engine.
Search Tips: Terminus allows for Quick Search, Keyword Search and Title Search options. When searching by keywords, it may help limit your search results if you include Atlanta Regional Commission in your keywords.
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more.
