What I do:
Development
ADUSearch (Phase 2 In Progress)
ADUSearch.ca Webinar (Proof of Concept)
Laneway Homes (past projects - Windsor, ON)
Research
ADUs & The Just City (2023)
Neighbourhood Groups & Vacant Buildings (2022)
Transit Equity Research (2017)
What I believe:
Development does not have to only be for the rich, powerful and politically-connected. It can and in fact, should be for the average person who sees potential in their property or neighbourhood. There are so many good, financially-sound reasons why more people should be investing in the vacant, old, and run-down buildings where they live.
Triple Bottom Line Approach (It’s not just about the money).
Developing houses is not just about turning a profit. It’s about contributing to the good of society. What use is having a lot of money if it is all going to a small group, who doesn’t care about the buildings they sell, and there is no social or environmental harmony in our neighbourhoods? Suffice to say, we need to be looking at more than just profit to have the best infill developments that will support healthy city growth over the long term. Small projects can often have the biggest impact for the surrounding neighbourhood. Which is a benefit to us all. So, as they say in the TBL tradition: People. Planet. Profit. Period.
The Little Things Matter.
This is more than just a commentary about my height. I believe that a little investment of TLC can go a long way. Fixing up a porch, getting rid of the garbage in the alley, adding a new garden - all of these things help people feel a sense of pride and enjoyment in their surroundings. Beyond that, it is often the unique features that make outsiders want to come and stay. These overlooked details often enhance our collective quality of life - and that’s why they matter.
Moving at the Speed of Trust … But with a Sense of Urgency.
Buildings are more than just bricks and mortar. Neighbourhoods are more than just buildings. Together, these structures in time and space capture the complex social connections between people and things (like cars, nature, etc.). How and who we choose to live among others matters, as there is a spiritual depth to the work of city-building (my apologies for going a little woo-woo on y’all). But it's true. I believe it is important to ground developments in listening to locals, with the goal of making neighbourhoods look and feel better (not just add more units to the housing stock). But I know that there is a lot of red tape and that these projects have a lot of moving parts. My commitment on any project is to a collaborative approach with lots of communication so that everyone believes in the outcome.