Urban Land Institute’s Post

Recommended reading for anyone interested in downtown revitalization. Thoughts on third places, placemaking, adaptive use, and downtown retail.

As I spent the week revisiting a city that I used to call home, this resource share is timely! Chicago’s re-development in the last 13 years has blown my mind—inspiring ideas and strategies to consider in other markets. While no city is without its unique challenges and obstacles, check out the trends that have recharged urban spaces—driving attraction and retention. #urban #development #redevelopment

Revolutionizing Urban Living: A New Blueprint for SF and NY San Francisco and New York are no strangers to urban challenges. Housing affordability and land use have been persistent issues for years. But what if a grid system could offer a fresh solution? That's the idea behind a new blueprint that promises enhanced urban planning and integration of green spaces. The approach includes transforming unused commercial properties into affordable homes, tapping into innovative engineering and urban planning. By learning from other cities, we can reimagine SF and NY as more sustainable, accessible, and enjoyable places to live. It's an exciting prospect that balances modern needs with the rich, historical tapestry of these iconic cities. Let's work together to create a brighter future for urban living. #UrbanLiving #Sustainability #AffordableHousing

The Rise of Tiny Homes: Revolutionizing Urban Housing Discover the growing trend of tiny homes and how they are transforming urban housing. Learn about the benefits, challenges, and considerations for building and living in these compact yet functional spaces. Join us as we explore the concept of pocket neighborhoods and the potential they hold for creating quality housing options. #TinyHomes #UrbanHousing #PocketNeighborhoods #CompactLiving #SustainableLiving #AffordableHousing #ModernLiving #HousingTrends #FunctionalSpaces #QualityHomes

The Rise of Tiny Homes: Revolutionizing Urban Housing Discover the growing trend of tiny homes and how they are transforming urban housing. Learn about the benefits, challenges, and considerations for building and living in these compact yet functional spaces. Join us as we explore the concept of pocket neighborhoods and the potential they hold for creating quality housing options. #TinyHomes #UrbanHousing #PocketNeighborhoods #CompactLiving #SustainableLiving #AffordableHousing #ModernLiving #HousingTrends #FunctionalSpaces #QualityHomes

Edge cities are suburban, decentralized clusters of commercial and residential development, often located on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas. They typically feature a mix of office buildings, retail centers, entertainment venues, and residential areas, functioning as self-sufficient urban centers. Edge cities emerged in response to suburbanization and the decentralization of economic activity away from traditional downtown areas. Examples include Tysons Corner in Virginia and Schaumburg in Illinois.The term "edge city" was coined by journalist Joel Garreau in his 1991 book titled "Edge City: Life on the New Frontier." An example of an edge city is Tysons Corner in Virginia, located outside of Washington, D.C. #EdgeCity #SuburbanDevelopment #Urbanization #UrbanBUZZ #HabituX #SHS #XIMUniversity

As someone who is deeply invested in the future of our urban environments, check out our urban manifesto outlining some thoughtful approaches to revitalizing downtown LA. It’s not just about transforming physical spaces but finding ways to breathe life into our communities by addressing some of the major issues that affect our urban centers—accessibility, sustainability, and public engagement. These ideas—like cable cars, green rooftop spaces, and public cultural hubs—show what’s possible when we rethink how to use our cities' spaces for both functionality and connection. There’s a lot of value at stake here, not just economically, but in terms of community well-being and creating environments where people want to live, work, and gather. The challenges of urban revitalization are immense, but so are the opportunities. I hope we can continue to explore innovative, practical ways to tackle these problems and shape a better future for all of our city centers.

How do you reenergize the urban core? In our latest blog post, we explore best practices for new urban development and examine how we apply these strategies to our mixed-use work. Highlighting Parco and IDEA1 in San Diego, 8th & Republican in Seattle, and our proposal for the City of Seattle’s Office to Residential competition, we discuss our approach to urban renewal and outline the design conditions needed to attain lasting value from these catalyst developments. Click the link to learn why early development in downtown nodes is a real opportunity for shaping our cities’ future and how community-centric designs promise growth and regrowth as cities continue to evolve, https://bit.ly/3I3WjVy.

🌆 A new chapter begins today with the release of "The 15-Minute City: A Solution to Saving Our Time and Our Planet." This book reflects my pursuit to rethink urban planning through a lens of sustainability, community, and human-centric design. I hope this work sparks important conversations about building cities that prioritize walkability, local amenities, and connected neighborhoods. If these topics excite you, I invite you to join me on page one. Order here 👉 https://bit.ly/4c2O1Lg #The15MCWileyBook #HappyProximity

Any blind man can look at a masterplan and tell where to put density to maximize return. But creating smart density is the real challenge. 💡 Smart density is more than just tall buildings and crowded streets. It’s about walkability, smart mobility, and open space for everyone. It's about crafting vibrant, livable communities that thrive in high-density areas. 🏙️ It means creating neighborhoods that are well-connected, thoughtfully developed, and that promote sustainable, resilient, and comfortable living for all. 🌱 Smart density isn't just about fitting more—it’s about making more out of less, building cities that breathe and flourish. 🌿 Let's rethink urban living and density! #RealEstate #RealEstateDevelopment #UrbanDensity #DownTown