Dear Policymaker

Building thriving places everywhere takes work. So why some cities, towns, and villages thrive while others stagnate and decline is always debatable. In my journey to be a place developer, I've realized that cities are more like workshops than they are playgrounds.

I have to admit. I bought into the amenity (“playground”) theory 20 years ago that is driving most economic development decisions. I remember being taught and ultimately believing that this version of place development retains and attracts people and eventually grows your community. But, unfortunately, the sad reality is the policies and practices rooted in this theory don't work for everyone nor everywhere.

Many stagnating and distressed cities have bet on this approach to grow their communities. It is hard to get into the fast-growing game. However, it's not impossible. I believe that every place can discover its comparative advantage (value proposition) and maximize the interactions between existing assets, resources, human networks, policies, and capital flow.

When you get underneath the hood of fast-growing communities, we discover that region's innovative and productive forces. They become magnetic destinations for people to stay and move. As a result, the land development pattern explodes and generates other economic activity and, ultimately, wealth.

I believe everyone and every place has value. So, let's go on a journey together to reimagine how we do place development - one that embraces ecosystem thinking. The interaction of people, land, and marketplaces is powerful. When we map, analyze, and design communities this way, I believe the dialogue will change and lead to more connected, vibrant, and inclusive places in the geography you serve.