How Tech Can Revolutionize Community Comments

February 27, 2022
coUrbanize Platform Supports Equitable Development

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.