Introducing, Small Bites.
Small Bites is a virtual training series delivering relevant and valuable tools on the implementation of small-scale development. Led by our diverse faculty, they’ll offer expertise drawn from real-life experiences. These one-hour “bite size” sessions are for people of all skill levels, from small-scale developers and local advocates, to policymakers. An opportunity to ask questions is included at the end of each session.
PRESENTED BY:
practical urban design for Timeless PLaces
Presented by Will McCollum
What makes a block, a street, or a plaza feel timeless, vibrant, and enduring? Great places share universal building blocks that have shaped successful communities for centuries. This session introduces incremental developers to essential elements of urbanism, helping translate conceptual design ideas into actionable strategies that enhance both community and financial value.
You'll learn how urbanism's key concepts—mass and void, energy and tranquility, networks and patterns—translate into specific, buildable actions. We'll reframe urban design as a practical tool rather than an abstract ideal, equipping small developers to make decisions that bolster both their projects and the communities they serve.
There's always tension between short-term financial feasibility and long-term lasting value, but the most successful projects contribute to a larger vision of a community worth caring about. By grounding development decisions in fundamental urban design principles, small developers can strengthen project outcomes, enhance community identity, and build enduring value.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
WILL MCCOLLUM, President and Cofounder of Citymakers Collective
Will McCollum, R.A. is an architect and urbanist dedicated to creating walkable, prosperous, and enduring communities.
For over a decade, WIll worked alongside renowned urbanist Lew Oliver to shape meaningful communities across the United States. As a project manager at LOI, Will bridged the design and development teams of notable projects like Trilith, a mixed-use development south of Atlanta, and Burton, a pedestrian-focused residential town in the Appalachian foothills. His leadership with Trilith helped the project earn many prestigious awards, including a CNU Charter Award and multiple NAHB “Best in American Living” Awards.
In 2023, Will founded Citymakers Collective, an educational nonprofit based in Cambridge, MA, that equips the next generation of designers and developers to build more human-centric places. His work bridges design and development, integrating lessons from history and tradition with the practical realities of today’s market.
Will is committed to shaping places that inspire connection, foster civic pride, and carry forward the best of our shared heritage into the future.
Learn more about Citymakers Collective on their website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.
REGISTRATION
Small Bites sessions are a complementary membership benefit for Associate and Charter Members. Become a member today! Non-members can register for each session for $25 per ticket.
Recordings will be sent to those who register following the session. This event will be held in Central Standard Time. Details will be sent to attendees upon registration.
Contact
For any questions, message us at training@incrementaldevelopment.org.