In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Coby Lefkowitz, co-founder and partner at Backyard, a real estate development firm specializing in infill multifamily projects in walkable communities. Coby shares insights from his book "Building Optimism: Why Our World Looks the Way it Does, and How to Make it Better" and discusses how communities can evolve through better development practices, emphasizing the importance of context-specific solutions and the integration of mixed-use spaces in urban planning.
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Actionable Takeaways
Take tours of successful mixed-use developments to understand what works
Avoid one-size-fits-all solutions; focus on context-specific development
Consider integrating residential and commercial spaces in development plans
Work on making communities more walkable and accessible
Engage with smaller and medium-sized developers for more dynamic development
Study successful pedestrian mall implementations and failures
Focus on creating vibrant, integrated community spaces
Understand local context before implementing development strategies
Build relationships between economic developers and city officials
Consider gradual implementation of mixed-use zoning reforms Special Guest: Coby Lefkowitz.
