ī-ˈdē-əa
formulated thought or opinion | Merriam websters dictionary
Everything starts with an idea. A challenge to overcome or a better way to address what is out of pace with ‘the now’. Sharing ideas – gained through four decades of observation and asking ‘why?’ is my stock and trade. Whether to help clients think differently or to create a call to action in a community looking for a better future, I share ideas and provoke powerful conversations in three ways:
Speak. A conference keynote or an in-house lunch training? Invite me to share best practices, the reasons why, and practical examples of real solutions – all to spark actions for how we can develop different.
Teach. For over two decades I have been providing those interested in the built environment with the tools and techniques for mixed use development; sustainable community design; and now small scale, incremental development.
Write. From provocative articles, to white papers and now Building Small, my writings provide a more in-depth set of ideas and the research behind them to support my presentations and teaching.
“It’s no surprise that a book on small-scale development has come from one of real estate’s big thinkers.“
—Ed McMahon | Senior Fellow for Sustainable Development
SPEAKING & TEACHING
My presentations combine a conversational and accessible style with a clear framework and specific examples. Using either the UrbanGreen platform for sustainable and resilient real estate education, or CRAFT Development for small scale incremental development tools and techniques. I strive to ensure my audience leaves informed and excited about making positive change in the built environment.
Upcoming Events
NOVEMBER
2-4 | Small Scale Developer Forum #16, Healdsburg CA
9 | Guest Lecturer | Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
DECEMBER
13 | Keynote | St. Louis, MO
JANUARY
29 | TEDx Sonoma County Buy Tickets Here!
MARCH
23 | Small Talk | ULI, San Francisco
MAY
5-6 May | Keynote | ULI Phoenix
Select Past Events
SEPTEMBER
7 | Guest Lecturer | UC Berkeley MRED+ Design
22 | Keynote | ULI San Antonio Leadership Luncheon
OCTOBER
13 | Meet the Author | ULI Fall Meeting Chicago, IL
22 | Guest Lecturer | U of Miami MRED + Urbanism
ULI Minnesota Housing Conference
July 2021 | Jim shares lessons from Building Small and the connection with Missing Middle Housing. | VIEW
SO YOU WANT TO BE A DEVELOPER?
January 2017 | A provocative look at how real estate development can be a meaningful agent of change | VIEW
“…one of my top book recommendations for anyone who has approached me with interest in development. I’m beyond thrilled for the success of this book. “
—Sam Day | Samuel Day Architects
WRITING
Articles, white papers and now Building Small, provide the written form for sharing or exploring ideas in more depth.
Building Small
2021 | The seminal book that defines the what, why and how of small scale, incremental development. | MORE ABOUT BUILDING SMALL
Seeing Small
2018 | Contribution to Main Street America’s annual report, sharing lessons learned from over 14 cities. | READ
RESILIENCE ALONG THE RURAL TO URBAN TRANSECT
2015 | White paper for ULI exploring how resilience changes by community size and location | READ
Evolution of the Planned Community
2011 | Thought paper that looks at how Planned Communities are likely to change in the next decade. | READ
Reinventing Real Estate
2010 | A look at the opportunity for more responsible real estate investing coming out of the 2008 downturn | READ
Developing Sustainable Planned Communities
2007 | Contributions to book that served as an early roadmap for incorporating sustainability into the community development process | PURCHASE
Greenfield Development Without Sprawl
2004 | White paper that tackled the question ‘can planned communities be built without adding to sprawl? | READ
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN RESORT COMMUNITIES
1995| A look at creating more affordable housing in expensive resort communities as a way to ensure long term viability of the local economy | READ
“My Strengths Finder™ profile says I am fascinated by ideas and enjoy digging through complexity to connect seemingly disparate things in elegantly simple ways. This is reflected in my writings and presentations as I try to show different approaches to solving thorny issues in an enlightening and educational manner.”
ULI Advisory Services Panel Chair 2011
Moscow, Russia