How Real Estate Developers Think

"Peter Brown interviewed more than 100 people involved in real estate development. He understands how the key players-developers, architects, engineers and government officials-interact to develop new or repurposed buildings and landscapes. Using real situations as examples, he clearly and expertly portrays essential personalities, and the differing motivations, risks, and rewards of the players in the process. This book is important, well written, clear, and easy to understand. If you are an architect or engineer working with developers, a municipal official responsible for reviewing and approving building proposals, a resident in a community with sites being considered for development, a member of a neighborhood or city zoning committee, a public-spirited citizen, or simply a person interested in expanding your understanding of how projects get built, you should read this book."—Peter Piven, FAIA, principal consultant of Peter Piven Management Consultants and author of Architect's Essentials of Starting, Assessing and Transitioning a Design Firm

"Peeking into the minds of real estate developers turns out to be riveting. Peter Hendee Brown has managed to open up the life of risk, reward and values in the paradoxical world of development. From understanding how well intentioned community guidelines for development often backfire, to learning more about how real estate deals work and how design relates (or doesn't) to the market, to seeing case studies of how real estate development is ultimately an expression of values, this book is a must read for anyone in the development, design or planning world, or anyone who lives in a city or community where planning and development happen-basically anyone who is interested in knowing more about how our cities and communities are shaped."—Mary Margaret Jones, FASLA, FAAR; President and Senior Principal, Hargreaves Associates Landscape Architecture

"Brown makes the great point that less conflict and more cooperation should lead to far better buildings and cities that are better places to live and work."—Lee Schafer, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Focusing on imaginative and experienced development professionals working in complex urban settings, Brown usefully problematizes the monolithic idea of the 'greedy developer.' By helping readers to see how these more sophisticated developers think, this engagingly written book can do much to help move real-world situations from hostile standoffs to informed conversations."—Ann Forsyth, Harvard Graduate School of Design