SouthCoast Neighborhood Builders: Introduction to Incremental Development
Who will build New Bedford's future? We think local, incremental developers are the right people for the job.
Most people sense that something is wrong with how we build our communities. Housing feels out of reach, downtowns struggle to thrive, and development often seems risky, disconnected, and reserved for only the biggest players… But it wasn't always this way.
Join us for an engaging introduction to incremental development — the traditional pattern that created America's most beloved neighborhoods through small, locally driven projects built one step at a time.
Whether you're interested in becoming a small-scale developer, creating a project in your own neighborhood, or are a local leader looking to encourage better growth in your community, this free public lecture will explore how our development systems changed after World War II and what practical alternatives exist today. You'll discover how incremental development can lower risk, rebuild local ownership, and create more adaptable, resilient communities — one small project at a time.
About the speaker: Marques King is an architect, urban designer, and Detroit native who has spent his career building sustainable, equitable neighborhoods in his hometown — as Economic Development & Design Manager for EJDevCo, a nonprofit developer focused on Detroit's Eastside, and founder of Fabric[K] Design.
This talk kicks off SouthCoast Neighborhood Builders, a new SCPFP program training and supporting the next generation of local developers in New Bedford. Stick around after the lecture for a live conversation between our speaker and local developers and leaders — and let us know at registration if you'd like to hear more as the program takes shape.
In partnership with One SouthCoast Chamber, WHALE, and the City of New Bedford Office of Housing & Community Development.