22. Incremental Development: The Smarter Way to Build Housing

Real estate development doesn’t have to be big to make a big impact. In this episode, Matt Pouliot sits down with Jim Heid, infill developer, author of Building Small, and founder of the Small Developer Forum, to explore how incremental, human-scale projects can strengthen communities and expand housing choices.

From cottage courts and ADUs to the future of zoning, Jim shares lessons from his 40-year career bridging design, policy, and economics. Hear how he’s helping rebrand “developers” as built-environment entrepreneurs—people who balance profit with purpose and build places that allow humanity to thrive.

👉 Learn more about Jim’s work and resources: jheid.com | buildingsmall.mn.co | Building Small on Amazon