March 28, 2025
I’ve always been drawn to the power of good urban design.
Cities aren’t all built the same, and those differences fundamentally shape how we experience our communities and connect with one another.
Recognizing Possibilities
One of my strengths has been seeing the potential in things and places that might not be obvious to others.
I love helping people see what’s possible—not just telling them what could be, but actually showing them through visualizations and planning.
Take, for example, a vacant lot I worked with recently.
Instead of simply marketing it as a parcel of ground for sale, I partnered with the owner to create a vision for what it could become.
We didn’t just stick a sign in the yard saying “ground for sale”—we created a neighborhood concept that would bring high value to that space.
I worked with civil engineers, developed a comprehensive plan, and created visualizations to show people exactly what was possible.
Now local developers have caught that vision, and it’s likely going to proceed. It’s exciting to see that we showed the way, and now a developer is bringing it to life.
The Contrast of Poor Design
I’ve also witnessed the missed opportunities when urban design fails.
In our community, there was an entire city block inside the city grid that could have supported mixed-use residential and commercial development—perhaps a convenience store alongside other amenities, creating a high-value project.
Instead, a convenience store company bought it and placed a single gas station with six driveways on the entire city block.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with that business, but it represents a complete misunderstanding of the location.
That’s a suburban design forced into an urban context where you could have had everything that’s there now, plus a 50-unit apartment building and mixed-use facilities.
If I had created some visualizations earlier, people might have seen the greater possibilities, and the outcome could have been dramatically different.
What Makes Places Work
My understanding of urban design comes from studying what makes places interesting.
Through my travels, I’ve experienced many different environments, and I’ve paid close attention to why some streets feel comfortable while others make people feel on edge.
Everything from building design to street layout to the furniture on the sidewalk contributes to the feel of neighborhoods.
By observing what makes neighborhoods work, I’ve gained insights into effective design principles, even without formal training as a designer or architect.
I have a broad enough perspective to see what would truly work well in a place.
My goal is always to design for healthy and happy living—to create spaces that help people connect in meaningful ways.
Because ultimately, that’s what good living is about: human connection.
Conclusion
When I work on a subdivision urban design, I don’t just think about roads and plots. I consider what the market needs and what would fit well in the neighborhood.
I draw on my experiences traveling around the world, seeing neighborhoods and developments that have a good feel and serve their residents well.
It’s not just about placing a road or building on a piece of land.
You can configure spaces in ways that make life better, or you can configure them in ways that make life harder.
The difference lies in thoughtful design that prioritizes how people will actually live in these spaces.
I want to make things for people—designed for happy, healthy living and meaningful connections.