Magnetic Places

Places that grow exponentially compound their action, not motion, around three nested ecosystems - people, land, and the marketplace.

It isn’t a master plan approach to place development. Instead, it is an alternative singularly focused on making a better place.

A better place where people and firms can be more innovative and productive.

A better place where the quality of life is measured by how well we are enriching the lives of others.

A better place where a sense of belonging (community) is not hard to find.

It is why the second and third-tier city-regions are experiencing new growth through revitalization and new place development offerings.

Ecosystem thinking and habits (action) connect us to the assets and amenities that we already have that make us competitive with other markets.

At the beginning of projects, I start with: What promise can we make about our marketplace, land, and people ecosystems, and how will they enrich the lives of others existing and potential businesses, residents, investors, and customers?

The next time you seek to build a place, understand the DNA of growing places and the practices of ecosystem thinking.

It is the first step toward building a magnetic destination for commerce, housing, learning, and healthy living.