JULY EVENTS with CITYBUILDER
What we've got planned for July and a look ahead to August.
July has begun, summer is well underway, and we are looking forward to a lite menu of offerings this month while we prepare for August and beyond.
We’re excited to team up with the North Carolina Housing Table in July for our Carolina Policy Talk. NCHT CEO Denzel Burnside will lead this insightful discussion entitled, Miles from Home: How Transportation Access Drives Housing Affordability in North Carolina, which will explore how transit deserts, long commutes, and car dependency affect the cost and accessibility of housing. See more information and RSVP below.
In lieu of a July Book Club, we are assigning a whopper for August: Robert Caro’s seminal work, The Power Broker. Recognizing the daunting nature of this 1,344 page tome, we’re allowing an extra month for anyone willing to attempt the read. However, we continue to encourage attendance and participation at our Book Club discussions with or without ever opening the book (really!)
For the Power Broker, we are also delighted to offer the ultimate cliff notes, the 99% Invisible Podcast twelve-episode explainer series, which takes a deep dive into the biography. What’s more — if twelve-podcasts doesn’t sound like a shortcut — there is a single episode breakdown of all the episodes (in just 24 minutes).
Thank you to everyone who took time to join us for the Policy Talk, Happy Hour, Book Club, and allied events in June. It’s a pleasure to meet some of you in person and continue to build community around our shared passion for housing.
If you haven’t yet, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to CITYBUILDER. You’ll get all the same great content, plus exclusive articles and opportunities for members only.
As we move through the summer, perhaps you have time to catch up on CITYBUILDER articles you may have missed. One of the most-read pieces in June was Jenn Truman’s article outlining the importance of SB 369 and ending parking mandates - which is making its way through the NC legislature now. We’ll be keeping everyone updated on the progress of this important bill, including calls to action.
We’re also midway through a four-part series by Davd Olverson, which makes the case for the changes needed in Durham’s UDO re-write to create a more livable city, including Mixed Use and the 15-Minute City, and Supporting Small Scale Affordable Housing. Keep an eye out for his next piece, How We Encourage Sprawl Without Meaning To, coming July 1st. If you’re feeling inspired we encourage you to share your thoughts with the Durham Planning Commission (they’ve got upcoming open office hours on Thursday July 3rd and Thursday July 17th).
Additionally, CITYBUILDER is excited to announce that we have secured funding for a Single Stair Writing Fellowship so be on the lookout for those articles coming up.
We thank you all for your continued support and are excited to connect with you at an event in July.
Charlotte Chapman | Executive Administrator | CITYBUILDER
JULY EVENTS
CITYBUILDER & NC HOUSING TABLE - CAROLINA POLICY TALK
Thursday July 15th, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Virtual (more info & RSVP Here)
Denzel Burnside presents "Miles from Home: How Transportation Access Drives Housing Affordability in North Carolina" Exploring how transit deserts, long commutes, and car dependency affect the cost and accessibility of housing”
And - Coming up in August:
AUGUST BOOK CLUB: THE POWER BROKER
Wednesday August 27th 12:00pm - 1:00pm
in Raleigh at Press Coffee, 400 Hillsborough St.
You don’t have to read the book (but you’ve got extra time for this stellar beach read if you’d like to try) - try the Podcast instead.
AUGUST FAMILY-FRIENDLY KID FUN
Exact Date TBD (Mid-August)
Join us and bring the kids for Family Fun at CITYBUILDER’s Kid-Friendly hang out! Bring your budding CITYBUILDER to connect with like-minded kiddos for a hands-on activity and play time.
ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES
You’ve told us you want to show up, but need help knowing when it counts. This is your call to action. These public meetings are critical. Your voice can help shape the future of housing in our region.
Durham Planning Open Office Hours
Thursday July 3rd 3:00pm - 6:00pm
AND Thursday July 17th 10:00am - 1:00pm
Drop by and Chat at Open Office Hours with Planning staff at Durham County Libraries. More information here.
ALLIED EVENTS
Also don’t miss these Allied Events in July:
Raleigh Strong Towns Monthly Meetup
Tuesday July 15th 6:00pm - 8:00pm
in Raleigh at Weaver Street Market (upstairs mezzanine)
Join local neighbors, advocates, and citybuilders for the monthly Raleigh Strong Towns meetup! This casual gathering is a great place to talk about building stronger, more resilient communities — from housing choices and safe streets to local fiscal responsibility.
Durham YIMBY Meetup
Thu Jul 17th 6:30pm - 8:00pm
in Durham at Parts & Labor
The local YIMBY Action chapter gives voice to residents who believe Raleigh-Durham should grow inclusively, sustainably, and affordably. In a region facing skyrocketing housing costs and rapid growth, the group pushes for zoning reform, abundant housing, and walkable communities. Here advocacy counters NIMBY resistance and brings much-needed urgency to local housing debates. Simply put, they’re fighting for a Triangle where more people can afford to live, work, and flourish.
in situ studio Real Matter Workshop Lecture Series
July 27th - August 5th 2025
Raleigh, USA (see event for details)
The North Carolina architect firm In Situ Studio hosts its annual Real Matter lecture series. The workshop, which is shaped by the lectures and panels, focuses on the relationship between the built environment and social issues.
July events include: