Courtyard Urbanist

The Best New Courtyard Block Built in America, and Why It Became Luxury Housing

A $400M courtyard block in Brooklyn reveals why America builds luxury megaprojects instead of real urban neighborhoods

Mar 5 • Alicia Pederson

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February 2026

Illinois One Step Closer to Courtyard Urbanism

What Pritzker’s BUILD plan gives courtyard urbanists (and what it still withholds)

Feb 23 • Alicia Pederson

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Tell congress we need better elevator codes so we can have better cities

Sign the letter and catch up on the Elevator Reform Discourse

Feb 17 • Alicia Pederson

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Announcement of Advisory Council & Founding Investors

Watch this space for updates about our initial group of Advisory Council & Founding Investors!

Feb 16 • Alicia Pederson

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Chronicle #1: The New American Urbanism Is Already Underway

Reflections on the Festival of Progressive Abundance in Los Angeles (Jan. 29-Feb. 1)

Feb 16 • Alicia Pederson

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January 2026

Courtyard Urbanism One Pager

For Quick Sharing

Jan 21 • Alicia Pederson

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Courtyard Composer Beta + Vox Feature

calling architects, planners, design technologists, and enthusiasts to test Courtyard Composer

Jan 20 • Alicia Pederson and John Manoochehri

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Design Types and Technology in a Time of Rapid Orchestration

Reflections on the role of Courtyard Urbanist in the new design era

Jan 14 • John Manoochehri and Alicia Pederson

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Come to LA: Festival of Progressive Abundance (30% off for Courtyard Urbanists)

January 30-February 1

Jan 10 • Alicia Pederson

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Towards a New Aesthetics of Abundance

Courtyard Urbanism, Buildings Without Worth, and a New Ecology of Building

Jan 10 • Alicia Pederson

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Contact us about projects, research, and community opportunities!

It takes a village--or a digital commons--to raise a courtyard block! Let's work together to make this happen.

Jan 3 • Alicia Pederson

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November 2025

But Where Does the Trash Go????

Keep trash and car storage at the EDGE of the block to prioritize people and businesses over vehicles and city services

Nov 10, 2025 • Alicia Pederson

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