Press
coUrbanize Selected for GovTech 100 for Eighth Year in a Row
January 11, 2023
NIMBYism has declined over the course of the pandemic
September 22, 2022
Is NIMBYism in Decline?
September 15, 2022
Survey Shows NIMBYism Waning Amid Post-Pandemic Shifts
September 14, 2022
coUrbanize Survey Shows Decrease in NIMBYism Over Course of Pandemic
September 14, 2022
YIMBY: The making of a movements
June 13, 2022
How Tech Can Revolutionize Community Comments
February 27, 2022
coUrbanize Platform Supports Equitable Development
Virtual Meetings Alone Won’t Solve Community Engagement Challenges for Developers
January 2022
Before the pandemic, developers relied on in-person community meetings to share their visions for new projects and to build support from the surrounding neighborhood. The term “community” is misleading, however: Typical attendees represented only a small minority of area residents.
City of Cambridge Calls on All of Its Residents to Help Choose a New City Manager
February 9, 2022
Using coUrbanize Engagement Platform, Cambridge Seeks to Ensure A ‘Process Driven by Community Engagement,’ says Mayor
coUrbanize Set Historic Growth Records in 2021, Reflecting Overwhelming Support for Community Engagement in Real Estate Development
January 11, 2022
Number of Projects on Platform Increased by 75% Year Over Year
Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing: Where Profits and Purpose Collide
September 1, 2021
here is a common scenario that plays out when neighborhoods become “desirable.” As more people move in from other places, the demand for real estate goes up and prices adjust accordingly.
coUrbanize Launches Language Equity Plan for Real Estate Development
August 24, 2021
coUrbanize has launched a Language Equity Plan (LEP) to ensure that people whose primary language is not English can have a say in what gets built in their neighborhoods.
coUrbanize Launches Language Equity Plan to Increase Multilingual Community Engagement in Real Estate Development
August 24, 2021
The New Plan Incorporates Translation Services into Every Project That Meets Established Demographic Criteria
Public Support for Real Estate Development Rose over Course of Pandemic
July 8, 2021
But Survey by coUrbanize Also Reveals Concerns about Overcrowding and Affordable Housing
How Housing Developers Are Using Tech to Reach the Community
July 1, 2021
coUrbanize is bridging the gap between those building new housing and those that need it.
ULI Boston’s “Shark Tank”
May 12, 2021
Founder and CEO Karin Brandt will be pitching coUrbanize at ULI Boston/New England Technology Council’s “Shark Tank” on May 20.
How a Confluence of Technology and Social Concerns Will Shape Infrastructure in the Post-Pandemic City
May 12, 2021
The inequality in urban areas turned into a national conversation. coUrbanize founder Karin Brandt highlights now we need transparency and accountability in development.
coUrbanize Selected as a Finalist for Fast Company’s 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards
May 4, 2021
coUrbanize is recognized as a finalist in the Spaces, Places and Cities category for the company’s power to neutralize NIMBYism and build support for new housing development in communities across the U.S.
In Real Estate, ‘Experimentation and Discovery’ are Key
January 14, 2021
coUrbanize has long touted the importance of broadening community outreach beyond those who are able to physically show up to a public meeting — and 2020 saw that goal realized.
Public-Private Partnerships Can Help Greater Boston’s Housing Shortage
December 4, 2020
The lack of inclusionary zoning is proving to be a major barrier to building affordable, multifamily housing in many of Boston’s suburbs.
Banker & Tradesman’s Best of 2020
November 23, 2020
coUrbanize was included as one of Banker & Tradesman’s Best of 2020 in the Technology category. The 13th annual Banker & Tradesman readers’ poll asks readers to cast their votes for the best providers of services and goods in the banking and real estate professions.
Growth in the Affordable Housing Market Fuels coUrbanize’s Momentum in 2020
October 14, 2020
With new pressures on affordable housing developers to build more units, faster, this real estate sector is turning to coUrbanize, an online community engagement platform, to create support for what is a critical need in so many communities.
How the Property Industry Can Repay Its Debt to African American Communities
October 3, 2020
Racism plagues the property industry and holds back our communities. CEO Karin Brandt weighs in on how our industry should also play an important role in reversing it.
Empowering Citizens to Transform Their Cities
Fall 2020
Our cities have been shaped by inequitable forces with limited community input and collaboration. Platforms like coUrbanize help teams be more responsive to community needs.
Equitable Stakeholder Engagement in a Remote World
September 23, 2020
How can we ensure continued, high-quality engagement in a remote world? Meeting of the Minds highlights coUrbanize in their overview of tips and tools for equitable engagement.
Empowering Citizens to Transform Their Cities
September 2, 2020
Our cities have been shaped by inequitable forces with limited community input and collaboration. Platforms like coUrbanize help teams be more responsive to community needs.
What the Numbers Say about Balancing Community Benefits in New Developments
August 31, 2020
coUrbanize’s founder and CEO shares how our 2020 survey findings validate how critical it is that development reflects a community’s needs.
Development Without Gentrification: Growth While Maintaining Affordability
August 19, 2020
In a West Side neighborhood facing gentrification, coUrbanize is helping a nonprofit developer put longtime residents first.
coUrbanize Launches Private Feedback and Project Landing Pages
July 23, 2020
Updated Features to Bring More Voices and Greater Flexibility to Community Outreach Strategies
coUrbanize Launches New Offerings to Help Developers and Planners Reach Underrepresented Populations
July 9, 2020
New Features and Services Will Ensure Greater Inclusivity and Diversity in Real Estate Planning and Design Discussions
Karin Brandt Spotlighted in CivicMakers’ Links
July 2, 2020
coUrbanize’s CEO and founder shares how 2020 is impacting development and planning projects.
Decreasing Construction Costs and New Public Opinion Pave the Way for More Affordable Housing
June 21, 2020
New data from coUrbanize showcases changing opinions and new support for affordable housing in the U.S.
coUrbanize Survey Reveals Real Estate Development Is More Welcomed in Neighborhoods than Many Might Believe
June 9, 2020
We asked 1,073 people what they thought about new development in their communities. Their answers may surprise you.
coUrbanize is added to Next City’s COVID-19 Response Directory
May 5, 2020
Next City has compiled a list of resources and tools designed to help cities get up-to-date information to their residents and respond to the threats that COVID-19 presents our communities.
Coronavirus Could Revitalize Local Democracy
May 3, 2020
Cities and towns are reimagining public processes. For development and planning, that means community feedback and approval can’t depend on in-person meetings. Tom Evans from the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority discusses how he’s using coUrbanize to inform the community about ongoing projects.
coUrbanize Launches New Tools to Help During COVID-10 Crisis
May 1, 2020
NEREJ details the new features on coUrbanize empowering developers and planners to continue public outreach without relying on public meetings.
How Do Developers Get Neighborhood Buy-in During Pandemic? coUrbanize Has New Tools
April 23, 2020
Construction is largely at a standstill in Cambridge, Somerville and Boston due to the coronavirus outbreak. But coUrbanize says it is rolling out tools today for the next phase – when work restarts but social distancing makes that communication more complicated.
coUrbanize Launches an Array of New, Free Tools to Help Customers Address the Coronavirus Crisis
April 23, 2020
COVID-19 Forum, Templates and Response Tab Help Real Estate Developers and Planners Maintain Strong Community Connections to Keep Projects Moving Forward
Public input sought as Newport North End plan deadline looms
March 22, 2020
NBBJ of Boston is using coUrbanize to gather public comments on the North End Urban plan for Newport, Rhode Island. This is an important tool for our client as uncertainty around public meetings looms.
Public Process without Public Meetings
March 16, 2020
What happens to public process when meetings are cancelled indefinitely? Cities across the country are grappling with this reality. Here’s what they are doing in response.
5 Ways to Lease Up a Development Faster
February 4, 2020
Check out these tips for interest in a new development, including the importance of leveraging online community engagement to build community support and buzz.
Tech is Helping Developers Work With Neighborhoods, Not Against Them
January 14, 2020
Developers have an embattled history in many communities, but technology can bridge the gap between real estate teams doing the development and community members who are affected by it.
Keane Plans Major Redevelopment Of Leesburg Shopping Center
October 11, 2019
The Washington Business Journal spotlights Keane Enterprises’ Virginia Village project and how the team is using coUrbanize to gather community input on their redevelopment plans for the 18-acre, mixed-used project.
Rethinking Public Input for More Equitable Results
June 11, 2019
The community meeting is intended to be the ultimate democratic process. By giving every community member the opportunity to show up and make their voices heard, public meetings should lead to beneficial outcomes.
Innovations in inclusive housing
May 12, 2019
A look at hundreds of startups rebuilding affordable housing from the ground up
Why True Tenant Experience Technology Starts Before the Ribbon-Cutting
May 10, 2019
If a property owner or developer defines “tenant experience” by what makes leasing office visitors drool, they’re starting too late, thinking too small, and leaving money on the table. The most successful owner-developers take a more expansive view of customer experience, considering not just future tenants, but the surrounding community as a whole.
When Affordable Housing Clicks With Technology
March 21, 2019
Massachusetts Housing Partnership’s Susan Connelly, MPZ Development’s Mathieu Zahler and coUrbanize’s Karin Brandt spoke with Multi-Housing News about how online outreach tools can spur civic engagement and address community issues.
Buchanan Partners plans ‘Quartz District’ for 145 untouched acres in Woodbridge
February 11, 2019
DC-area developer Buchanan Partners is planning to transform 145 undeveloped acres in Woodbridge, Virginia into a walkable mixed-use development. In the Washington Business Journal, they share how coUrbanize has given them insight into key priorities for the community.
Using Technology to Build Support for Affordable Housing
January 15, 2019
In this article, coUrbanize CEO Karin Brandt and Capital One Community Finance Senior Vice President Laura Bailey share their perspectives on strategies that can build a critical mass of community support for affordable housing.
Developers Seek Project Success Through Community Engagement Platform
December 18, 2018
The companies behind the development of the 5.9-acre South San Francisco PUC site into housing and mixed-use are seeking to involve the community early on. Avant Group Inc. and KASA Partners are working with Boston-based coUrbanize, a company that supports community outreach about a project while helping to collect feedback.
Making Sure All of Detroit Has a Voice on Sustainability
December 18, 2018
To get a sense of how Detroiters think about sustainability in their city, you can start with this map. Location-based comments left by residents point out what they like — native plants sprouted in empty lots, proximity to transit and access to parks — and what they don’t, which ranges from lack of bike lanes to vacant properties.
Nashua Readies for Climate Change, Heat Waves and Floods
December 18, 2018
New Hampshire Public Radio shares insights from the City of Nashua, New Hampshire’s Resilient Nashua Summit. The summit is part of the Resilient Nashua Initiative, which is collecting input from coUrbanize to map risks and resources throughout the city.
Predictions for Boston’s tech scene: a colder winter, but no big chill ahead
December 13, 2018
In a roundtable hosted by the Boston Globe’s Scott Kirsner, coUrbanize CEO Karin Brandt shares her thoughts on tech industry trends for the coming year – and the bright side of Boston losing out on Amazon HQ2.
The Online Tools Detroit Is Using to Support Sustainability
December 6, 2018
Detroit may be behind on rolling out a full sustainability action agenda, but the city is agile and catching up fast with a new set of digital tools to foster engagement among the community. To get input from Detroiters, they’re using a set of digital tools from coUrbanize.
coUrbanize is Working with Crystal City Developer JBG Smith to Shape Amazon’s HQ2
November 19, 2018
Boston may not have been selected as a site of Amazon’s second headquarters, but this Boston-area startup is playing a key role in shaping the future of Crystal City, one of the two locations for HQ2. coUrbanize is working with developer JBG Smith, which owns most of the real estate in Crystal City, Virginia, to collect community input that will shape Arlington’s HQ2.
coUrbanize founder & CEO Karin Brandt named to Real Estate Forum’s 50 Under 40 in Commercial Real Estate
October 30, 2018
The editors of Real Estate Forum have selected coUrbanize Founder & CEO Karin Brandt as one of this year’s 50 Under 40 honorees.
Chosen from a pool of nearly 400 highly qualified nominations, the rising stars who made the short list are already establishing their presence in the industry. Under Brandt’s leadership, coUrbanize has become one of the leading online community engagement platforms for real estate for such firms as Boston Properties, WinnCompanies, Brookfield and many others.
Want to back a development but can’t testify? This cottage industry makes it easy.
October 18, 2018
When JBG Smith Properties began planning Crystal City’s Central District, the developer wanted feedback from a broad segment of the community on the multifaceted project — not just the typical handful of citizens who have the time to testify at public hearings.
JBG Smith Executive Vice President Andrew Van Horn said the company found a fix: Boston-based coUrbanize, whose technology platform allows developers to gather feedback from community members via text, social media and comments posted in online forums.
Detroit to engage residents on citywide sustainability plan
June 14, 2018
The Sustainability Action Agenda is Detroit’s first effort to carve out city and community actions aimed at protecting public health, providing jobs and addressing climate impacts and green infrastructure.
The city will be conducting surveys, hosting town halls and engaging in community outreach through 14 district ambassadors to gather input from at least 7,000 Detroiters, officials said.
‘People Need To Feel That Their Feedback Has Been Heard, That People Are Very Responsive To Their Contributions, That It Matters. That’s Ultimately What It’s About.’
April 26, 2018
Karin Brandt, the founder and CEO of coUrbanize, spoke with Jennifer Bradley of the Aspen Institute for the Center for Urban Innovation’s series of conversations with inclusive innovation practitioners.
This site lets you have a voice in urban planning without attending inconvenient meetings
February 15, 2018
coUrbanize opens up public comment to everyone, not just the few people who are able to go to planning meetings.
In Seattle’s Central District, a plan for a massive new development with hundreds of apartments and a high-end grocer fell through in 2017, in part because of criticism about gentrification and displacement of the neighborhood’s shrinking black community. But in late January, a new developer easily got city approval for another design for the site with more affordable housing, a public square, and a portion of retail space dedicated to local businesses.
Rising from Boston’s building boom, a new kind of startup
February 9, 2018
Boston has been Crane City for the last five years or more: construction everywhere you look, and detour signs, too.
Much less noticeable has been a boom in startups focused on buildings. Entrepreneurs are looking at a massive industry and seeing opportunity: Construction spending on private projects in the United States hit a record high of $1.25 trillion in December, according to the Commerce Department. And while that enormous number includes everything from architectural design to laying bricks, it doesn’t include the cost of renting out the space or managing it once the work is complete. That equals even more opportunity for entrepreneurs.
Creating a Better Community Through Text Messages
June 14, 2017
As cities make their data more transparent and accountable, this project in New York found one way to use technology to engage the residents in the planning process—by prompting locals to text in ideas.
“I’d like to buy culturally conscious books and cards that represent me,” writes one commenter. A few others keep their requests for Brownsville, Brooklyn, pretty simple—a Burger King or a Chase Bank would do.
These are comments left by residents of Brownsville in response to a prompt to tell city officials “what’s missing” in their neighborhood. The answers populated an online map, a tool used by New York’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) in a new planning project. Earlier this month, Mayor de Blasio and the HPD released the Brownsville Plan, an outcome of a year’s worth of planning by the community and municipality, which will create 2,500 new affordable homes and spruce up the neighborhood’s cultural and recreational facilities. According to the comments on the map, these are very welcome additions.
At East Lake MARTA, TOD plans could include up to 500 homes, greenspace
December 12, 2017
A new survey posted on MARTA’s dedicated transit-oriented development website, coUrbanize, offers Atlantans a potential glimpse at the future of acres of parking surrounding the East Lake MARTA Station.
And your input could help shape what actually happens there.
Awards
GovTech 100
January 4, 2023
2023 marks the eighth consecutive year that coUrbanize has landed a spot on the GovTech 100 list. The GovTech 100 is an annual list compiled and published by Government Technology as a compendium of 100 companies focused on, making a difference in, and selling to state and local government agencies across the United States.
2022 Women in Real Estate Awards Boston & New England
September, 2022
Announcing the 2022 Winners for the Connect CRE Women in Real Estate Awards.
Women of Influence
July 25, 2022
There are nearly 300 profiles of smart, accomplished and high-achieving women in commercial real estate on the following pages.
50 Under 40
June 3, 2022
Here is our selection of 50 achievers in the CRE space that are under age 40. Read their stories to see why we picked them.
GovTech 100
January 5, 2022
2022 marks the seventh consecutive year that coUrbanize has landed a spot on the GovTech 100 list. We’re excited to be recognized for the work we’re doing on diverse projects with cities and towns across the country.
BBJ announces this year’s 40 Under 40
August 31, 2021
coUrbanize founder & CEO Karin Brandt named one of the Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.
Ivory Innovations Announces Top 10 Ivory Prize Finalists
April 20, 2021
coUrbanize is a finalist for the annual award that recognizes ambitious, feasible, and scalable solutions to housing affordability.
GovTech 100
January 5, 2021
2021 marks the sixth consecutive year that coUrbanize has landed a spot on the GovTech 100 list. We’re excited to be recognized for the work we’re doing on diverse projects with cities and towns across the country.
Ten Innovations to Address America’s Housing Affordability Crisis
April 20, 2021
coUrbanize is a Top-10 finalist for the 2021 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability.
Govtech Women Founders And Women’s Month
March 11, 2021
Only 12% of the companies named to the GovTech 100 list in 2021 were founded by women. coUrbanize was one of them.
New Ideas to Solve America’s Housing Affordability Crisis
March 4, 2021
coUrbanize was announced as one of the Top 25 finalists for the 2021 Ivory Prize for Housing Affordability.
coUrbanize is on the GovTech 100 List for the 5th Straight Year
January 7, 2020
2020 marks the fifth consecutive year that coUrbanize has landed a spot on the GovTech 100 list. This speaks to the ongoing work that we’re doing in partnership with our municipal customers that span all sizes of cities and towns.
The Rise of Boston: The Unique Entrepreneurial DNA for Success
December 23, 2020
coUrbanize is highlighted as one of the top, outstanding startups to emerge from Boston.
coUrbanize Updates Site for Outreach Strategies in COVID-19 Era
April 23, 2020
Banker & Tradesman spotlights coUrbanize’s new features designed for making virtual community engagement more inclusive.
Tech Tools and Affordable Housing
September 27, 2018
Affordable housing developers are facing greater constraints, both financially and from NIMBYs, and at the same time the need for affordable housing is increasing. In this Q&A, GlobeSt.com spoke with Karin Brandt, coUrbanize founder & CEO, and Laura Bailey, head of community finance and community affairs at Capital One Bank about how developers can do a better job of bringing the community in to conversations affecting their neighborhoods.
coUrbanize Named to KPMG’s List of Real Estate Innovations
July 6, 2020
coUrbanize is one of the companies spotlighted in the firm’s new report covering innovative technologies across the industry.
coUrbanize Named a Boston Startup to Watch
March 16, 2020
Boston Bootcamps spotlighted coUrbanize on its 50 Startups to Watch list. Check out the article to get an inside look at our culture, mission and values.
coUrbanize is named to the GovTech 100 list
October 7, 2019
The GovTech 100 list recognizes 100 companies focused on, making a difference in, and selling to state and local government agencies across the United States. Municipalities across the country are using coUrbanize to better connect with residents and collaboratively shape the future of their communities.
coUrbanize lands a spot on the HIVE 50 list
November 1, 2019
The HIVE (Housing Innovation, Vision and Economics) 50 list recognizes people, platforms and products that support innovation in housing. We’re proud to work with municipalities and real estate companies that are tackling the housing crisis head-on.
coUrbanize Named to BostInno’s “19 Boston Startups to Watch in 2019”
December 11, 2018
Thanks to coUrbanize’s dramatic growth in 2018 and the company’s work with JBG Smith in Crystal City, Virginia, future site of Amazon’s HQ2, BostInno selected coUrbanize as one of the 19 startups to watch in the coming year.
Fifty Under 40
October 7, 2020
coUrbanize founder & CEO Karin Brandt named one of this year’s 50 Under 40 rising stars in commercial real estate by GlobeSt.com.