157: An Optimistic Reimagining of the City with Coby Lefkowitz

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

1. Take tours of successful mixed-use developments to understand what works
2. Avoid one-size-fits-all solutions; focus on context-specific development
3. Consider integrating residential and commercial spaces in development plans
4. Work on making communities more walkable and accessible
5. Engage with smaller and medium-sized developers for more dynamic development
6. Study successful pedestrian mall implementations and failures
7. Focus on creating vibrant, integrated community spaces
8. Understand local context before implementing development strategies
9. Build relationships between economic developers and city officials
10. Consider gradual implementation of mixed-use zoning reforms

Special Guest: Coby Lefkowitz.

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Links:

• Building Optimism: Why Our World Looks the Way it Does, and How to Make it Better by Coby Lefkowitz
• Coby L. | LinkedIn
• Coby Lefkowitz
• Podcasts — Coby Lefkowitz