Episode
The Missing Middle Has a Missing Industry
- Podcast
- The Bottom-Up Revolution
- Published
- May 12, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1355
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
Alkarim Devani has built over 1,000 homes in Calgary — fourplexes, row houses, a 212-unit heritage restoration — and noticed something strange: people kept asking about the small projects. That observation turned into a doctorate, a national education program, and a growing movement to make middle housing a viable career path for a whole new generation of city builders. In this episode, he talks about why the obstacles aren't what most people think, why large developers will never fill this gap, and what it's actually going to take to get more people building. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Alkarim Devani (LinkedIn) Alkarim Devani (Site) mddl (LinkedIn) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here. This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you! Join fellow members discussing this episode in The Commons.