As federal funding becomes more uncertain, the viability of urban development and infrastructure projects is increasingly in question. Cities and developers can’t afford to wait—so how should they secure the resources needed to move critical projects forward?

Over the last two months on Building Better Cities, I’ve explored alternative financing models that could reshape how we develop infrastructure and real estate. From crowdfunding projects to leveraging state economic development incentives to repricing property insurance, experts across sectors are redefining what it means to finance the future of our cities.

This month, I’m diving deeper into these solutions, sharing conversations that challenge traditional funding models and explore more resilient, community-focused, and economically viable approaches.

Hope this gets you thinking,

Founder and CEO, Building Better Cities

In 2023, national insurance companies pulled out of Florida and California, citing escalating climate risks. Following the LA fires, property owners and developers confront a critical challenge: how do we protect homes and investments in climate-risk areas? In this episode, Alisa Valderrama, founder of FutureProof, discusses how pricing climate risk can guide more resilient development and lower insurance costs. Drawing on decades of experience at the World Bank and NRDC, Alisa shares how quantifying climate risk for insurers is changing the way we build (and rebuild) with resilience.

Getting community buy-in takes on a whole new meaning in this episode. Brian Ross of InfraShares discusses how equity crowdfunding is reshaping infrastructure finance. Instead of funneling returns to private equity firms and foreign investors seeking stable, low-risk investments, InfraShares is working with municipalities and developers to flip the script—putting both financial and social returns into the hands of the people most impacted by these projects.

How do you close the financial gap between ambition and execution in urban development? In this episode, Ken Kalynchuk from Project Management Consultants shares the inner workings of public finance in the Midwest's most iconic developments. From tax increment financing to brownfield grants, Ken explains how Ohio is leading the way with proactive incentive programs and what other states and cities can take away from its approach to tackling blight, workforce housing, and more.

Have you hit subscribe yet? Take a listen to Building Better Cities on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Make sure to follow/subscribe/like and share with your network!

• The pressure to throw out severity maps and rebuild LA [NPR]

• AI’s role in building the future of cities, beyond design [Arup]

• Barcelona steps in to buy a block and prevent evictions [Reuters]

• Denver takes sidewalk maintenance back from the people [CityLab]

• African mayors are backing P3s that will accelerate climate action [C40]

• Miami’s transit-oriented, mixed-use development moves forward [Real Deal]

Let’s connect! I would love to hear from you and learn more about your work. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a conversation. In the meantime, please forward this email and subscribe your friends.