InsightsPractical Thinking
Practical Thinking
For City Builders
No buzzwords. No fluff. Actionable insights on economic development, placemaking, and municipal strategy.
Featured · Strategy
What Small Towns Get Wrong About Growth
The most common mistake isn't a lack of ambition—it's pursuing strategies designed for cities ten times their size.
January 5, 2026
Strategy
What Small Towns Get Wrong About Growth
Placemaking
Why Downtown Revitalization Fails
Placemaking
Why Downtown Revitalization Fails
After working with dozens of municipalities, we've identified three patterns that consistently derail efforts.
Dec 18, 2025
Culture
Culture Is an Economic Asset—If You Use It
Culture
Culture Is an Economic Asset—If You Use It
When approached strategically, cultural assets become powerful drivers of economic development.
Dec 2, 2025
Implementation
The Implementation Gap
Implementation
The Implementation Gap
Most municipal plans fail not because of bad ideas, but because they weren't designed for political reality.
Nov 15, 2025
Economic Development
Rethinking Municipal Incentives
Economic Development
Rethinking Municipal Incentives
Tax abatements and TIF districts aren't inherently bad—but they're often misused.
Oct 28, 2025
Strategy
Public-Private Partnership Pitfalls
Strategy
Public-Private Partnership Pitfalls
P3s can unlock transformative projects—or leave cities holding the bag.
Oct 10, 2025