The Missing Middle Has a Missing Industry

The Missing Middle Has a Missing Industry

From The Bottom-Up Revolution by Strong Towns

May 12, 2026 · 23 min · Episode 250

About this episode

Alkarim Devani discusses the challenges and opportunities in building middle housing and the need for a new generation of city builders.

Alkarim Devani has built over 1,000 homes in Calgary — fourplexes, row houses, a 212-unit heritage restoration — and noticed something strange: people kept asking about the small projects. That observation turned into a doctorate, a national education program, and a growing movement to make middle housing a viable career path for a whole new generation of city builders. In this episode, he talks about why the obstacles aren't what most people think, why large developers will never fill this gap, and what it's actually going to take to get more people building. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Alkarim Devani (LinkedIn) Alkarim Devani (Site) mddl (LinkedIn) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here. This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you! Join fellow members discussing this episode in The Commons.

People in this episode

Guest: Alkarim Devani

Topics covered

  • middle housing
  • urban development
  • city building
  • small projects
  • housing industry

Keywords

  • middle housing
  • Calgary
  • urban development
  • city builders
  • housing projects
  • Alkarim Devani

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Strong Towns, mddl

Places: Calgary

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