Strategies for Urban Development and Transformation

What if we designed cities for people, not just cars? Lancaster, CA, is proving it’s possible—in just 8 months, they transformed a five-lane road into The BLVD, a pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined street that has become a model for urban revitalization. What did the transformation look like? Before: A five-lane thoroughfare dominated by cars, with vacant storefronts and limited community engagement. After: A pedestrian-friendly boulevard with a central "rambla" inspired by Barcelona, fostering a thriving downtown with increased foot traffic and economic growth. What’s great is that this wasn’t just an environmental benefit, it was also economic. The $11.5 million initial investment attracted $130 million in private investment and is estimated to generate $273 million in economic output within 4 years. By encouraging people to park once and explore on foot, the redesign has boosted community engagement and safety. Lancaster’s approach reflects the New Urbanism movement, prioritizing walkable, people-centered downtowns over suburban sprawl. Having lived in the Bay Area for nearly 10 years, there’s so much I love about the area — the public transit, the weather, and the people. But I see so much room for improvement. Lancaster’s development is a testament to the future of what cities can look like if we invest in sustainable urban design. I’m a huge fan of mixed-use developments to boost local economies (and imagine living above a local grocery store—no more lugging bags for blocks!). By making sure all stakeholders are involved in the planning, we can integrate green spaces and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to create welcoming and useable public areas. Lancaster’s transformation proves that cities CAN be people-first, green, and economically booming. What would you change about your city? Drop your thoughts below! #UrbanRevival #CityDesign #SustainableCities #Placemaking #WalkableCities #UrbanPlanning #SmartGrowth

What if US cities took a cue from Germany and developed collective ownership models for new construction? Borrowing from the German housing concept of Baugruppen which are resident-led development consortiums, our upcoming white paper discusses how incremental, resident-developer led vision can result in holistic, meaningful communities. Essentially here are the steps: 1. The city creates or revise zoning overlays and pilot districts that explicitly permit collective ownership, co-development, and non-speculative multi-family housing on small lots. (hello, megasites!) 2. Lay down necessary infrastructure and parcel out large sites into contextual parcels (think of each parcel as a minivillage of its own). 3.Create development culture: Provide technical assistance, legal templates, design examples, and connections to architects and lenders willing to work with resident-led groups. CDFIs and the city should work hand in hand. Instead of relying upon one private sector master developer, cities could take a lead on infrastructure and plat out large sites as we once did. Here, in a Chicago example, each ChiGruppen block consists of a half-block configuration with alley access on the rear end of 25' by 125' lots. Parcels are individually owned or grouped, but are tied into a collective ownership of the block itself - cohorts of resident-developers pool together resources to invest in their half block, borrowing from a "kit of plat" of preapproved modules. In these "super PUDs" (planned unit developments), there would be no restriction on use or design, so resident could combine buildings, ADUs, parking, etc. These semi-public and semi-private voids become shared gardens, work patios, child play zones, or outdoor dining spaces, responding fluidly to residents. The porosity of this block is spatial and social: narrow pathways allow pedestrian cut-throughs, shops and stoops spill onto the sidewalk, and uses toggle between domestic, civic, and entrepreneurial. The buildings form edges without becoming barriers. There is no front-versus-back dichotomy, every edge has the potential to face something vital. Natural courtyards arise! Crucially, this neighborhood is not planned, per se. It is incrementally assembled. Homes, shops, and workspaces are added, adapted, or replaced over time, accommodating a variety of users and investment scales. This bottom-up approach encourages community wealth-building while softening the impacts of gentrification or speculation. The result is a family-friendly, collective ownership model that encourages diversity of uses, different types of much-needed housing, a pocket neighborhoods that can sustain themselves. Imagine a whole district like this - it may just start to make our cities feel a bit more alive! What are your thoughts? Stay tuned as a draft of Thinking Big by Thinking Small drops next week! #urbanism #urbanplanning #architecture #urbandesign #redevelopment #development #baugruppen #strongtowns

The City of Toronto allows up to 4 units per residential lot! Toronto has become a leader in the approach to infill development, demonstrating how to balance growth with livability. One of the city’s standout strategies is “gentle density.” Solutions like laneway suites and garden suites provide much-needed housing while blending seamlessly into existing neighborhoods. These small residential units add density without compromising the character of the area. Toronto also focuses on mid-rise, mixed-use developments along transit corridors such as Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue. These projects increase housing options, enhance walkability, and connect residents to essential services—all while reducing car dependency. The city’s extensive public transit network, including the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, ensures that these developments are accessible and well-integrated. Affordability is central to Toronto’s approach. Policies like inclusionary zoning ensure that new developments near transit hubs include affordable housing, addressing the housing shortage while fostering more equitable communities. It’s not just about housing—Toronto has repurposed industrial spaces like the Distillery District and Evergreen Brick Works into cultural and community hubs. These projects bring people together while giving old spaces new life. Toronto’s success shows that infill development isn’t just about adding density. It’s about creating neighborhoods that are sustainable, connected, and reflective of the people who live there. As cities everywhere face growth challenges, Toronto offers an inspiring model. How is your city rethinking its underutilized spaces? This Project by LGA Architectural Partners in Toronto turned an unused parking lot into 12 residential units. #infill #toronto #design #architecture

If you think urban reinvention begins with external funding or technology, think again. It begins with some critical so-called ‘local ingredients’: political will and courage, local autonomy, and the ability to look at development issues differently. Political Will and ‘Policy Entrepreneurs’: Reform-minded mayors and policy champions within departments (what we call ‘policy entrepreneurs’) play a critical role in unlocking bottlenecks and taking calculated risks. In Dhangadhi and Pasig, these individuals helped a mission-oriented approach into policy making. UNDP works to amplify their influence, helping create the institutional safety to experiment, iterate and scale. Decentralization as a Minimum Condition, Not a Guarantee: Decentralization offers local governments proximity to citizens and assets, but without the "muscle" of sufficient fiscal space and institutional capacity— crucial elements that go beyond mere mandates—cities cannot effectively respond to evolving challenges. Through our portfolios, we are equipping cities to flex this "muscle" turning autonomy into transformative action, by aligning policy levers, planning instruments, and engaging citizens in governance processes. Windows of Opportunity: Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Whether it’s the waste” bulge” in Pasig or shifting political dynamics in Khulna, moments of disruption create space to reimagine the rules. Our work with cities has reframed crises as entry points to tackle structural barriers, build new alliances, and shift urban trajectories. The Portfolio Approach: Connecting Nodes Across Systems: Cities aren’t collections of siloed sectors; they are complex systems of actors, assets and interests. The portfolio approach helps reframe urban challenges as opportunities for strategic coherence, bringing together disconnected projects and partners under a shared ambition. In doing so, UNDP supports cities to become network orchestrators, not just service providers, rewiring relationships between departments, donors and communities. Demonstrating What’s Possible: First Movers Unlock the Field: Transformative change rarely begins with consensus – momentum needs to be built. Most of the interventions started with early signals that shift perception of what’s possible. Whether it’s Pasig’s Innovation & Circular Economy (ICE) Hub or Dhangadhi’s plastic ban linked to women’s livelihoods, first bets have demonstrated proof of concept, inviting others to join and invest. To better grasp these key lessons, read on the in-depth cases of 3 cities: https://lnkd.in/dp5msHTq Alex Oprunenco Aisha Marzuki Purnima (Nima) Bajracharya Gwyneth Anne Palmos Sarah Sabin Khan UNDP Accelerator Labs UNDP in Asia and the Pacific #UrbanreInvention #CircularEconomy #Governance #PolicyInnovation #SustainableCities #SocialImpact

In cities across the country, the familiar signs of economic and cultural erosion are becoming harder to ignore: “For Lease” signs papering once-thriving storefronts, shuttered restaurants frozen in time, and office suites collecting dust behind art deco facades. But behind every vacancy lies an opportunity—not just to fill space, but to reimagine what these places can mean for their communities. As placemakers, our role is to transform these dormant sites into engines of creativity, culture, and commerce. By deploying targeted, low-barrier solutions like artist studios, co-retailing hubs, and temporary commissary kitchens, we have the chance to revive historic districts not through massive redevelopment, but through intentional, people-centered activation that celebrates local identity while fostering inclusive growth. #Placemaking #UrbanRevitalization #HistoricPreservation #CreativeEconomy #ArtistStudios #CoRetailing #CommissaryKitchens #VacantToVibrant #MainStreetRevival #AdaptiveReuse #CulturalTourism #CommunityDevelopment #EconomicGrowth #CreativePlacemaking #SupportLocal #SmallBusinessSupport #UrbanInnovation #HistoricDistrict #FoodEntrepreneurs #PublicSpaces #CulturalDistricts #MainStreets

Most cities struggle to balance growth with affordability. Atlanta found a way to do both. The BeltLine was once nothing more than abandoned rail lines and overgrown lots—a forgotten relic of Atlanta’s industrial past. But a bold vision turned those old tracks into a 22-mile loop of trails, parks, and development that’s now the heartbeat of the city. It’s a story of what happens when developers, city planners, and communities work together—and what the future of urban revitalization could look like. 🚶 It started with walkability and public space. Before the BeltLine became a real estate hot spot, it was an idea to reconnect the city. The first major investment wasn’t luxury condos—it was parks, trails, and green spaces that made Atlanta more livable and accessible for everyone. 🏗️ Developers followed the momentum. Once people saw the potential, private investment poured in. Abandoned warehouses turned into modern lofts, neglected lots became mixed-use developments, and entire districts—like Ponce City Market and Krog Street—were revitalized into thriving community hubs. 💡 The community played a key role in shaping the vision. The BeltLine didn’t just attract developers—it engaged residents, local businesses, and artists. Public art installations, small business grants, and affordable housing incentives ensured that longtime Atlantans could benefit from the transformation. 📈 It boosted property values while prioritizing inclusivity. Real estate near the BeltLine surged in value, bringing in new investment. But city planners worked to ensure affordable housing remained part of the equation, with dedicated funding for mixed-income developments and protections for legacy residents. What cities and developers can learn from the BeltLine: 🌳 Public infrastructure drives private investment. Walkability, parks, and green space increase real estate value and make neighborhoods more desirable. 🏡 Balanced growth is possible. When developers and policymakers collaborate, cities can grow without displacing communities. 📍 Mixed-use is the future. The best developments integrate housing, retail, culture, and public space into one seamless experience. The BeltLine proves that real estate isn’t just about buildings—it’s about creating places where people want to live, work, and connect. When cities and developers think long-term, everyone benefits. — Thank you for reading! More about me: Over the past 6 years, I've worked on dozens of commercial real estate acquisitions, from beginner developer's first deals to institutional portfolio acquisitions of $100M+. If you liked my content on commercial real estate, entrepreneurship, and personal growth, connect with me for more! #RealEstateDevelopment #UrbanRevitalization #AtlantaBeltLine #Placemaking #CommercialRealEstate

How can designers create solutions that ripple through entire communities? Imagine a park bench. It’s a simple design, right? But what if that bench, originally intended to provide a place for rest, became part of a much larger system designed to promote healthy lifestyles in a city? Now, it’s not just a bench—it’s part of a network of walking paths, bike lanes, and shared green spaces that encourage social interaction and well-being. This shift in thinking is exactly what the Social Design Pathways matrix helps us achieve. Created by the Winterhouse Institute, the Social Design Pathways matrix pushes us to think beyond isolated solutions. It challenges designers to collaborate across disciplines, scale up their impact, and work with a wide range of stakeholders—from community members to city planners. For example, when a team of designers, landscape architects, and social workers come together, they’re not just designing a park—they’re helping to reimagine how a city supports the health and social needs of its residents. The beauty of this approach is that it encourages designers to step out of their comfort zones. The more diverse the collaboration, the bigger the potential for change. And these aren’t just theoretical ideas. According to the World Health Organization, cities that prioritize active transportation systems, such as bike lanes and pedestrian paths, report significant improvements in public health and reduced environmental impact. The ripple effect is real. By using tools like the Social Design Pathways matrix, designers can clarify their intentions, collaborate effectively, and ultimately create holistic solutions that address complex social challenges. It’s not just about designing objects—it’s about designing systems that foster long-term, sustainable change. What design project are you currently working on that could benefit from this kind of collaborative, big-picture thinking? #SocialDesign #CommunityImpact #SustainableDesign #DesignForChange #Collaboration

Cheonggyecheon: From Freeway to Urban Oasis—A Model for City Transformation Cheonggyecheon in Seoul is a standout example of what’s possible when cities put people and the environment first. For decades, the stream was hidden beneath a congested multi-story freeway, dividing neighborhoods and prioritizing cars over community. Instead of renovating the aging infrastructure, Seoul’s government took a bold step: they removed the freeway, restored the natural stream, and reconnected the city with 22 new bridges—12 for pedestrians, 10 for vehicles. The results are remarkable: Reconnected neighborhoods: The stream now links both sides of the city, making it easier for people to walk, gather, and engage. Healthier public space: Green corridors, water features, and pedestrian bridges have replaced concrete, improving air quality and well-being. Sustainable urban mobility: The city invested in public transport and discouraged car use, reducing congestion and supporting active lifestyles. Cheonggyecheon is proof that visionary, people-centered planning can turn barriers into bridges—literally and figuratively. It’s a global model for urban renewal, sustainability, and social connection. What’s one urban transformation that inspires you? How can we apply these lessons to our own cities? #UrbanDesign #CityTransformation #Cheonggyecheon #SustainableCities #PublicSpace #Placemaking

We’ve been building Rancho Sahuarita for 25 years—and while it started as a development, it’s become something much deeper: a living, breathing example of how design fosters true community. Here are 3 things we’ve learned: 🔹 𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 “𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲” (Borrowed from Teri Slavik-Tsuyuki🙂) At Rancho Sahuarita, the lake park came before the homes. The sidewalks were wide, the trails interconnected. When you give people places to 𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, belonging happens faster. We designed for interaction from day one. 🔹 𝟮. 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲. It’s easy to build “amenities”—it’s harder to integrate them into real life. Our water park, fitness center, and splash pads aren’t afterthoughts—they’re woven into the rhythm of the neighborhood. That’s what makes people stay, and stay involved. 🔹 𝟯. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀. We didn’t design for demographics (despite great market studies done by RCLCO  all those years ago). We designed for 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴. Every playground, school route, and event was shaped by a question: “Would my own family thrive here?”  My dad asked that. And our team does the same. That's how our program for families with special needs was born, or why "Story Time for Tots" thrives. Our programming is a reflection of our team. Design can’t 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 community—but it can create the conditions where it grows naturally.

🏗️ What if development worked with nature instead of against it? Traditional site design often prioritizes maximizing buildable area—but at what cost? Increased runoff, flooding risks, and higher maintenance expenses are just a few of the challenges that arise. Low-Impact Development (LID) flips the script. By using nature-based solutions, LID: 🌿 Reduces runoff with permeable surfaces and green infrastructure 💧 Improves water quality by filtering pollutants before they enter waterways 🏘️ Enhances community spaces with green buffers, rain gardens, and natural drainage At Olsson, we’ve seen firsthand how LID strategies can create more resilient, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing developments. Instead of treating stormwater as a problem, we turn it into an asset that enhances the site. Some of our favorite LID techniques include: ✔️ Bioswales that slow, filter, and direct stormwater naturally ✔️ Permeable pavers that allow rain to seep into the ground instead of overwhelming storm drains ✔️ Rain gardens that provide both function and beauty, reducing runoff while adding greenery The result? Smarter, more sustainable development that benefits both people and the environment. 💡 What LID strategies have you seen successfully implemented in your projects? Let’s discuss! ⬇️ #SustainableDevelopment #GreenInfrastructure #SmartGrowth #CivilEngineering #WeAreOlsson