Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

157: An Optimistic Reimagining of the City with Coby Lefkowitz

Listen Later

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.

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps!

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

    11. Special Guest: Coby Lefkowitz.

    Sponsored By:

    • Sitehunt: Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced platform that helps economic developers build a comprehensive property database, enabling informed decisions and efficient RFI responses to accelerate site selection and project success.

    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
    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic DevelopmentBy Dane Carlson
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8
    • 4.8

    4.8

    15 ratings

    More shows like Econ Dev Show Podcast - Economic Development

    View all
    Stuff You Should Know by iHeartPodcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    78,459 Listeners

    Marketplace by Marketplace

    Marketplace

    8,767 Listeners

    The Strong Towns Podcast by Strong Towns

    The Strong Towns Podcast

    423 Listeners

    South Carolina Lede by South Carolina Public Radio

    South Carolina Lede

    173 Listeners

    Develop This: Economic and Community Development by Develop This! Podcast

    Develop This: Economic and Community Development

    46 Listeners

    Fiction - Comedy Fiction by The Sunset Explorers

    Fiction - Comedy Fiction

    6,444 Listeners

    The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

    The Ezra Klein Show

    15,833 Listeners

    Bourbon in The Back Room by Vincent Sheheen and Joel Lourie

    Bourbon in The Back Room

    195 Listeners

    On The Market by BiggerPockets

    On The Market

    896 Listeners

    The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

    The Mel Robbins Podcast

    19,812 Listeners