MAY EVENTS with CITYBUILDER
Join fellow Citybuilders in conversation and learning throughout May!
Hello - Charlotte here, Executive Administrator at CITYBUILDER.
Spring has sprung and we’re excited for several great events this month hosted by CITYBUILDER and ally organizations. Scroll down to read more, or be sure to check out and subscribed to our brand new calendar page for more information about what’s in store!
In addition, I’m thrilled to share that CITYBUILDER has surpassed 4,000 followers across our social media platforms! Momentum is building and we are so grateful for all of you who have been supporting us so far. If you aren’t already a paid subscriber, for less than $10 a month you can become a member and gain full access to our content and events, and support our work at CITYBUILDER. Members like you allow our movement to continue to grow. Become a member today!
And thanks to everyone who joined us in April for some fun and meaningful gatherings. Don’t miss out on what’s in store for May!
We thank you for your support and are excited to connect with you at an event this month.
Charlotte Chapman | Executive Administrator | CITYBUILDER
MAY EVENTS
BETTER PROPERTIES, LLC - Coffee & A Case Study [Ally Event]
Saturday May 3rd, 10 AM - 12 PM
in Durham at the Durham Food Hall
Join BETTER Properties, LLC for their next Coffee & A Case Study on Saturday, May 3rd at 10 AM at Durham Food Hall, where they'll be diving into zoning strategy and how to navigate the recent and future waves of code changes in Durham and Raleigh.
YES! IN MY TRIANGLE
Thursday May 15th, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
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.
Join these local advocates on Thursday, May a5th, from 6:30 - 8:00 PM in Durham at Parts & Labor. RSVP & More Info.
TRIANGLE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION - Housing Matters [Ally Event]
Tuesday May 20th, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
in Durham at Apella by Alexandria: 12 Davis Drive
The Triangle Community Foundation knows that members of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors are paying attention and taking action to address housing affordability challenges in their communities. As the Triangle region’s community foundation, we see an opportunity to connect and convene, bringing voices together within the Triangle counties and across the region to help maximize impact.
TCF has met with county leaders, elected officials, nonprofits, philanthropists, and other concerned community members across Chatham, Durham, Orange and Wake Counties this March and we are eager to share what we learned to move forward on developing effective solutions to the challenging issue of housing affordability.
*Lunch will be served
NC HOUSING TABLE - From Policy to Progress [Ally Event]
Tuesday May 20th, 2 PM - 3 PM
Virtual
Join NC Housing Table for an engaging online event where we will delve into the impact of state bills on housing access for all North Carolinians. Learn how policy can make a difference in housing availability and affordability. Our panel of experts will discuss the potential transformation that state bills can bring to the housing landscape.
To register visit: NCHousingTable.Eventbrite.com
STRONG TOWNS RALEIGH- Monthly Meetup [Ally Event]
Tuesday May 20th, 2 PM - 3 PM
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.
All are welcome to come listen, share ideas, and connect with others working toward a stronger Raleigh. More Information here.
CITYBUILDER CAROLINA POLICY TALK -The Effects of Expanding Housing Choices, Five Years Later
Wednesday May 21st, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Virtual (RSVP Here)
In our continuing series highlighting the opportunities and challenges in local housing legislation, Dave Olverson will lead a presentation and discussion on The Effects of Expanding Housing Choices, Five Years Later.
In 2019, the city of Durham, North Carolina, passed a set of reforms known as Expanding Housing Choices (EHC). Join us to learn and discuss the impact of this monumental change, and what more needs to change.
RSVP Here to be Added to Virtual Event.
HBA’S HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT [Ally Event]
Thursday May 22nd, 8 AM - 11 AM
in RTP at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel - RDU
The HBA of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties is proud to present the 2025 Housing & Development Summit, a year-long series on controversial issues affecting our industry and our communities.
Find more details and registration information here.
CITYBUILDER BOOK CLUB -A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction by Christopher Alexander
Wednesday May 28th, 12PM - 1 PM
in Raleigh at Press Coffee, 400 Hillsborough St.
A Pattern Language, by Christopher Alexander and his colleagues, is more than a design manual—it's a profound exploration of how human beings shape and are shaped by the spaces they inhabit. Offering 253 interconnected "patterns," the book lays out a framework for creating buildings, neighborhoods, and cities that feel alive, welcoming, and deeply human. Each pattern, from "courtyards which live" to "street cafes," taps into timeless ways that environments foster community, comfort, and resilience. Alexander’s genius was recognizing that great cities aren't the product of grand master plans, but of countless small, human-scaled decisions. His work invites anyone—architects, citizens, or planners—to participate in the ongoing act of creating places where life can truly flourish.
Join us for our May book club to connect and share — what are your favorite patterns from the book? Which patterns have most affected your practice?
Topher Thomas will lead this casual discussion over lunch at PRESS Cafe in Raleigh. Reading the book beforehand is encouraged, but not required.
RSVP here so we can let PRESS know how many CITYBUILDERs to expect.