This week on The Localist, Curtis Bridges, principal planner for the city of Charlotte, NC, and president of the Belmont Community Association, joins Carrie to dive into city planning. Curt and Carrie start off with how small businesses contribute to building communities and invigorating neighborhoods. Gentrification has been a hot topic recently, and Curt details the pros and cons, and stresses the importance of voting with your wallet. Curt then breaks down the difference between HOAs, neighborhood associations, and everything in between, and how to find (or create) an association for your neighborhood. Curt and Carrie wrap up with how Curt got started in the world of urban development planning, advice for small businesses on fitting into a neighborhood, and resources for anyone interested in urban development. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

Belmont Community Association

Church Street Coffee and Books 

Sweet Lew’s BBQ

Belmont Community Association on Facebook

Belmont Community Association on Instagram

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time by Jeff Speck 

The Localist by Carrie Rollwagen