Urban Development | Resonance
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URBAN DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING

Building visionary urban centers.

We’re a strategic partner for cities, districts, and real estate developers and operators. We help them build the urban centers that define how people live, work, and gather today, from innovative mixed-use developments to brand-new sports and entertainment districts.

Urban development strategy, from plan to place.

The cities we love are defined by more than just their skyline. They lead with a distinct identity and a compelling narrative that draws in talent and visitors alike. Resonance works with cities, districts, and real estate developers to shape the future of urban centers and build the places worth living in, investing in, and visiting.

From bustling waterfronts and convention centers to mixed-use districts and innovation hubs, we help forward-looking partners plan, position and deliver urban developments that reshape the built environment and transform the communities around them.

To do that, our team aligns placemaking, brand, and market intelligence with essential real estate economics. The result: enduring value for communities, investors, and developers alike.

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Trusted By

Our Urban
Development Capabilities

01

City & District Brand Strategy

We’re a partner for cities big and small, developing city-wide brand platforms and district positioning strategies that set them apart and connect to their economic objectives and community aspirations.

  • City brand strategy and competitive positioning
  • District and neighborhood brand development
  • Community and stakeholder engagement strategy
  • Brand governance frameworks and toolkit development

02

Urban Placemaking Strategy

We work with cities and developers to define the opportunity, vision, and positioning for their most ambitious projects, from mixed-use communities to waterfront districts to daring regeneration projects. All backed by Resonance’s superior urban intelligence.

  • Placemaking strategy and activation planning
  • Urban development strategy and master plan advisory
  • Downtown revitalization and commercial district strategy
  • Destination positioning  and brand strategy

03

Urban Place Branding

We marry creative thinking and market intelligence to craft brand and identity systems for urban developments. Our approach goes beyond logos, focused on distilling competitive strengths into narratives and visual identities that get noticed.

  • District brand strategy, vision & naming
  • Master-planned community brand development
  • Real estate placemaking and tenant attraction strategy
  • Visual identity and experience design

FAQS

Key questions and answers.

01

What is placemaking?

Placemaking is the process of planning, designing, and managing urban spaces to create a strong sense of identity and improve the experience for visitors and residents.

Placemaking places a high priority on the street-level experience, and combines aspects of physical design, community programming, and civic planning to create urban centers that people actively want to live in or visit. The cities you love most are likely the product of great placemaking efforts.

Resonance has supported a wide range of urban placemaking initiatives, helping to create transformative places for many of the most iconic cities today.

We helped Calgary’s city-owned developer step proudly into the spotlight.

View Case Study

02

What is place branding?

Think of a city. You likely have a specific one in mind, along with a sense of its story, personality, and experience. That’s the product of a strong place brand.

Place branding is the process of creating those associations. Building the strategy, positioning, and visual identity to set a place apart, attract visitors, and make it a great place to visit, live or do business.

Here at Resonance, we approach place branding with a keen understanding of what makes a great urban brand, and how that connects directly to a place’s economic development objectives, real estate positioning, and long-term value creation potential. We deliver these skills not just for cities, but for a wide range of urban developments: mixed-use districts, residential buildings, master-planned communities, and more.

Giving the Northeast’s boldest city a brand that matches its aspirations.

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03

What is district brand strategy?

District brand strategy is the work of positioning and branding urban development projects anchored by major venues, like convention centers, arenas, stadiums, and innovation complexes.

When done well, this type of strategy builds vibrance beyond just the central venue itself, enriching surrounding streets and neighborhoods and creating a new destination for residents and visitors alike.

Ultimately, the goal is to align the district’s identity with the economic objectives of the city or developer, while differentiating it from competing destinations. Resonance delivers convention and sports district brand strategy as part of its urban development strategy services.

See how we helped East Village become a new center in Calgary’s urban story.

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