E
mpowering communities through education is a key component of real estate development, according to University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning. Executive director Chase Cantrell, an urban planning lecturer, has dedicated his career to providing community members with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in the development process.

    Growing up in Detroit, Cantrell witnessed firsthand the impact of neglect on a community. As a real estate and corporate lawyer, he saw how often community values were ignored in favor of profit-driven interests. Frustrated by this lack of representation, Cantrell founded Building Community Value in 2016 to deliver education and resources to those who felt excluded from decision-making.

    The organization's mission is to help residents redevelop vacant spaces that meet the needs of their communities. Nearly a decade after its launch, Cantrell has expanded his efforts with an open online course on real estate development, available through Michigan Online and Coursera. "Real Estate Development: Building Value in Your Community" teaches foundational skills through an equitable lens, empowering learners to identify and analyze neighborhood-scale projects.

    By bringing a community-first mentality to real estate development, Cantrell aims to ensure that projects respect the heritage and history of neighborhoods, addressing the needs of current residents. He believes that education is empowerment, and that even one resident with basic knowledge can make a difference in advocating for community voices.

    Cantrell's goal is not only to provide resources but also to teach people the power they have to effect change once they possess real estate development skills. "Everything we see around us was someone's idea, and someone built it," he said. "I want people to understand that they have the power, authority, and potential to do the same thing."