This specialized workshop is designed specifically for municipal officials, planning departments, zoning officials, utility directors, and economic development staff to understand how local policies and practices impact housing development. The workshops will provide a practical, solutions-oriented approach to identifying and removing barriers to housing development in rural communities.
HOSTED BY: Southwestern Virginia region, representing Wise, Dickenson, Scott, Lee, Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell counties and the City of Norton
ABOUT THE FACULTY:
Eric is a zoning whisperer who specializes in balancing urban design, architecture, and development needs to create better places. As principal at Kronberg Urbanists + Architects, he demystifies regulations and helps navigate the redevelopment maze. Eric advocates for walkable communities through his work with the Incremental Development Alliance and Congress for the New Urbanism. Learn more about his work here.
Elizabeth Ward Williams is Director of Urban Design at Kronberg Urbanists + Architects. An Atlanta native with Georgia Tech master's degrees in architecture and planning, she's dedicated to creating a city she's proud to call home. Elizabeth serves on her neighborhood planning committee, teaches at Georgia Tech, and sits on the Incremental Development Alliance board, using her expertise to advocate for positive changes in policy, development, and design. Learn more about her work here.
REGISTRATION
Ticket fees have generously been covered by the region of Southwestern Virginia. Please fill out the details below to complete your registration:
COURSE OVERVIEW
This workshop brings together local stakeholders to tackle the challenges shaping your community's housing future. Sessions will explore:
The rural housing development landscape and the market forces unique to your community
Regulatory and policy barriers limiting new housing growth
Proven approaches from similar communities that have successfully expanded housing options
Practical strategies to support small-scale and incremental development
Concrete next steps for policy updates and regulatory improvements
Each session is designed to be hands-on — balancing expert-led content with open discussion, collaborative problem-solving, and the development of action plans tailored to your community's specific needs.
Contact
Chloe Chapman · training@incrementaldevelopment.org · (479) 305-4807