Welcome - my name is Kevin Klinkenberg, and this site "The Messy City" is my blog and company website. I started blogging on urban planning and design issues in 2007, and began working in the field in 1993. Please feel free to connect with me on any of the social media sites listed here. Thanks for reading.
My primary speaking topics are “Are you ready for the next America?” and “Understanding Messy Cities: a new paradigm for planning and economic development,” building upon my years of work for developers, cities and leading an economic development agency.
Scroll down to see some sample speaking videos
In “Are you ready for the next America?” I offer some perspective on where we are as a country, where the trends are headed, who the winners and losers are, and what our cities and towns can do to take full advantage of how our country is re-inventing itself again. This is especially relevant to anyone not living in the high-demand coastal metropolitan cities. It’s best suited for general audiences, business groups, passionate citizens and civic leaders.
“Understanding Messy Cities” is a higher-level discussion of the specific ways that leaders in planning and economic development can successfully make the transition to the next generation. I aim to challenge audiences to embrace a messier, less predictable approach to planning and development. It’s best for professionals in those fields, as well as local leaders and interested citizens.
Finally, I also enjoy talking about House Hacking, and the many benefits for individuals and families. My talk, “House Hacking: The next big thing in home ownership” has proved to be very popular, especially with young professionals and younger audiences. I discuss the pros and cons of house hacking, my own multiple personal experiences with it, and why it’s likely to be a big deal in real estate for years to come.
If you'd like to schedule any of these talks, please contact me directly from this site.