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Curtis Infrastructure Initiative
The ULI Curtis Infrastructure Initiative identifies and promotes forward-looking infrastructure investments that are equitable and resilient and that enhance long-term community value.
“The purpose of [the Curtis Infrastructure Initiative is] to contribute toward the building of a better future by providing resources of inspiration, discovery, and innovation. I believe that infrastructure and land use processes shape how we live, how we work, where we live, where we work, and how we move goods and services.”
James J. Curtis, III
ULI Life Trustee
Infrastructure, land use, and real estate development are intrinsically linked. By creating new global and strategic partnerships, providing technical assistance, building capacity at the local level, and acting as a feedback loop to promote the most innovative and effective best practices, the Curtis Infrastructure Initiative supports ULI’s mission to positively shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. A thoughtful approach to infrastructure planning and implementation addresses the pressing needs of today and improves diverse communities for the long term.
A building block for communities everywhere, infrastructure encompasses transportation, critical utilities, and the means of communication. But beyond these foundational physical and digital structures and facilities, infrastructure broadly includes the key spaces that build community—anchor institutions, the civic commons, and housing. Because infrastructure provides the means for connection, creative placemaking, and opportunity, smart infrastructure investment is an imperative for our cities now and in the future.
Together we can build the future of equitable and resilient communities.
A ULI Infrastructure Framework
Now is the time to prioritize effective infrastructure-led development that builds long-term real estate and community value through a holistic and integrated approach instead of disconnected investments.
Photo By Sawyer Bengtson/Unsplash
The Prioritizing Effective Infrastructure-Led Development publication focuses the ULI Curtis Infrastructure Initiative on the following five key areas that the real estate industry has the most influence, namely at the building, neighborhood, and regional levels.
- We need restorative infrastructure investment that increases equity and sustainability. The U.S. must address the legacy of past investment that has divided communities physically, socially, and digitally. Holistic and integrated infrastructure investment requires efficient allocation of resources and must help to repair systemic inequities.
- We need to invest in public transportation and mobility. Enhancing public transportation is essential for increasing access to jobs and bolstering economic opportunity. People-centric urban development must include reliable, frequent, and accessible public transportation.
- We need infrastructure that helps us combat the global threat of climate change. As the cost of inaction related to climate change increases, promoting decarbonization and other net-zero strategies is vital. Adaptation and resilience are critical components of infrastructure investment so communities can withstand and bounce back from extreme weather events.
- We need to connect everyone to affordable and high-quality internet. In today’s digitalized world, the availability of high-speed internet is critical for economic participation and mobility. Broadband should no longer be viewed as a luxury, but instead as necessary infrastructure akin to electricity and water.
- We need supportive infrastructure investment that increases housing attainability. As the U.S. continues to face a housing shortage, providing more affordable housing is imperative for ensuring communities can thrive. Infrastructure investment, along with flexible and smart land use regulations, can help catalyze new private-sector housing production.
The more forward-thinking, and flexible, regions that execute successful infrastructure strategies will better succeed and generate more favorable financial outcomes for municipalities, improve the economy more broadly, and increase social outcomes.
Get Involved
Let’s build long-term community value through equitable and resilient infrastructure investments together.
FY ’23 Curtis Infrastructure Initiative Leadership
The FY ’23 Curtis Infrastructure Initiative is generously supported by ULI Members Leaders in the Americas. The leadership team meets regularly to provide strategic insights to key FY ’23 publications and programs, including:
- ULI Curtis Infrastructure Annual Research Publication: ‘Building 15-minute Communities, a 2030 Leadership Action Plan’,
- ULI Global Infrastructure Exchange March to July monthly programs,
- ULI Infrastructure Forum at Fall Meeting and Spring Meeting, and
- ULI Curtis Infrastructure District Council and Product Council Coalition
ULI Members Leaders Team
Craig Lewis FAICP, CNUA-A, LEED-AP
CallisonRTKL
North American Community Co-Leader
Global Market Leader for Urbanism + Landscape
William Anderson FAICP
Principal, CITECON
Lecturer, Urban Economics
University of California, San Diego
Kevin Augustyn
Senior Vice President and ESG Lead
Credit Ratings, North American CMBS
Morningstar DBRS
Stephen Engblom AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Faculty, Real Estate Development and Design, Resilience and Equity
University of California, Berkeley
Lucia Garsys FAICP
Senior Advisory for Community Partnerships
Hillsborough County Government
Matthew Kwatinetz
Director, Urban Lab and Senior Real Estate Executive
New York University
Renee Schoonbeek AICP
Senior Consultant Stations and Urban Development
Arcadis Netherlands
Gullivar Shepard ASLA, SCUP
Partner
MVVA
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc
Yvonne Yeung LEED AP, PMP, MCIP, RPP
CEO
SDG Strategies
ULI Curtis Infrastructure Fellow
If you have questions about the Infrastructure Forum or FY’23 Curtis Infrastructure Program, please reach out to Yvonne Yeung, ULI Curtis Infrastructure Fellow at [email protected] or 647-466-1176.
Learn More
The Curtis Infrastructure Initiative identifies and promotes infrastructure solutions that make cities more equitable and resilient while enhancing long-term community value, along with directly supporting action at the local level through engaging our global member network. Visit the Global Partnerships, Technical Assistance, and Research pages to learn more about how we are meeting the mission of the Initiative.
Reach out to [email protected] or visit the the contact us page.