Mayor Andre Dickens joined global leaders, innovators, and policymakers on Wednesday morning for the 2025 HOPE Global Forums — the world’s largest annual gathering focused on building an economy that works for everyone. With more than 5,200 delegates representing 40 countries, the Forum brought Atlanta center-stage as a model for how cities can prepare for the future while expanding opportunity for all.
The Mayor participated in At the Builder’s Table: Future Proofing Cities, a conversation moderated by Leroy Chapman, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, alongside Mayor Paul Young of Memphis. Their discussion zeroed in on one essential question: How do cities not only survive the enormous economic, technological, and climate shifts ahead — but thrive?
Why the Conversation Matters
Future-proofing isn’t theoretical for Atlanta. Every decision the city makes right now — investments, infrastructure, housing, technology, youth programs — shapes whether residents across every ZIP code will benefit from growth decades from now.
Mayor Dickens used the stage to spotlight Atlanta’s strategy: intentional planning, neighborhood-focused investments, and a commitment to equity as the backbone of resilience.
Key Themes from Mayor Dickens
Building a High Quality of Life — Today and Tomorrow
The Mayor opened with the big picture: cities must deliver for residents now and build systems that can adapt to rapid change — climate, technology, population growth, and the future workforce.
Atlanta’s “Group Project”
He highlighted the collaborative backbone that makes Atlanta work:
- Neighborhood Planning Units
- Midtown Alliance & Buckhead business partnerships
- Atlanta Committee for Progress
- Cross-sector public and private partnerships
This ecosystem, he emphasized, is how big ideas turn into measurable action.
Future-Proofing Moves Already Underway
Mayor Dickens walked through some of the administration’s most significant long-term investments:
- Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative — tackling root causes of inequity.
- 20,000 affordable housing units underway, with rapid housing options like The Melody.
- $60M Homeless Opportunity Bond strengthening housing security.
- Atlanta Urban Development Corporation & Showcase Atlanta — permanent structures that future mayors can build on.
- Stopping de-annexation efforts and keeping Atlanta whole.
- Climate Resilience Action Plan — the city’s first.
- Transformational youth investments, early childhood support, and Atlanta Teen programs.
- One Safe City reforms including violence prevention, training investments, and the Public Safety Training Center.
- Economic mobility wins through Invest Atlanta.
- BeltLine build-out + major MARTA expansions.
- Workforce upskilling to prepare residents for emerging industries.
- Top-tier fiscal health, including Atlanta’s AAA bond rating.
- Technology & Innovation leadership, pushing to make Atlanta a top 5 tech hub.
A Regional Chair with a Regional View
Mayor Dickens noted the significance of serving as Chair of the Atlanta Regional Commission — seeing 20 years ahead, understanding growth patterns, and planning responsibly for a metro area that is aging, densifying, and diversifying.
A Tale of Two Cities
Organizers framed the session as “a tale of two cities”: Atlanta, which has leveraged its history to propel itself culturally and economically, and Memphis, which is still pushing toward its stride.
Both mayors spoke candidly about resilience, regional identity, and the shared responsibility to ensure opportunities reach every resident.
Closing Thought
The Mayor ended with this reminder: future-proofing isn’t one big decision — it’s the discipline to make many small, smart decisions over years. And it’s a commitment to ensuring that Atlanta remains a city where young people want to build their lives.
