Curt Johansen explains why protecting nature may be one of the smartest development strategies of the future.
For decades, housing development has followed a familiar formula: maximize the number of lots, minimize undeveloped land, and measure success by immediate financial return.
But what if that equation is missing one of the most valuable assets a community can offer?
In the latest episode of The Valuation Metric, Sara Gutterman speaks with Curt Johansen, Development Director at Triad Development and the visionary behind Lagoon Valley, one of California's leading conservation communities.
Rather than treating protected land as a financial sacrifice, Johansen has spent decades demonstrating that permanently preserved open space can become the very feature that attracts buyers, strengthens resilience, and creates lasting value.
Cati O’Keefe is the editorial director of Green Builder Media. She has 25 years of experience reporting and writing on all aspects of residential housing, building and energy codes, green building, and sustainability.
Conservation: Investing in Community Value
Curt Johansen explains why protecting nature may be one of the smartest development strategies of the future.
For decades, housing development has followed a familiar formula: maximize the number of lots, minimize undeveloped land, and measure success by immediate financial return.
But what if that equation is missing one of the most valuable assets a community can offer?
In the latest episode of The Valuation Metric, Sara Gutterman speaks with Curt Johansen, Development Director at Triad Development and the visionary behind Lagoon Valley, one of California's leading conservation communities.
Rather than treating protected land as a financial sacrifice, Johansen has spent decades demonstrating that permanently preserved open space can become the very feature that attracts buyers, strengthens resilience, and creates lasting value.
Credit: Serra Architects
In the pod, learn the specific details about what makes Lagoon Valley so successful, the secrets to a cohesive master plan, the value of “experiences” for home buyers, and the role of conservation in climate resilience and smart development.
Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.
By Cati O'Keefe
Cati O’Keefe is the editorial director of Green Builder Media. She has 25 years of experience reporting and writing on all aspects of residential housing, building and energy codes, green building, and sustainability.Also Read