Transforming Your Own Backyard

Transforming Your Own Backyard

From The Messy City Podcast by Kevin Klinkenberg

December 30, 2025 · 1h 2m

About this episode

Steve Nygren discusses his impactful work in developing the biophilic community of Serenbe and shares insights on community planning and healthy living.

For a guy that never intended to be a developer, Steve Nygren is having a remarkable impact on development and so much more. Steve led the development of Serenbe , which is a “biophilic” community southwest of Atlanta. This story is nothing short of remarkable. Even if nothing more had happened than getting 500+ property owners that control about 60 square miles of land to agree on a framework for future development, that alone would be incredible. But when you start to learn more and experience the town of Serenbe itself, it becomes quickly apparent this is a model worth emulating. Serenbe employs a more historic model of a rural village that is walkable and fairly dense, mixed with land set aside for agriculture and experiencing nature. Along the way, the community has touched the world of regenerative agriculture and New Urbanism both, along with a deep dive into thinking about healthy living. Steve talks about using your influence when you have the opportunity, and how to help the next generation. His book, “Start In Your Own Backyard: Transferring Where We Live with Radical Common Sense” dives deep into this philosophy and work. I would add, he’s also got a lot to share…

People in this episode

Host: Kevin Klinkenberg

Guest: Steve Nygren

Topics covered

  • development
  • biophilic community
  • regenerative agriculture
  • New Urbanism
  • healthy living
  • community planning

Keywords

  • Serenbe
  • biophilic community
  • development
  • New Urbanism
  • regenerative agriculture
  • healthy living
  • community planning

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Serenbe, low standards

Books & works: Start In Your Own Backyard: Transferring Where We Live with Radical Common Sense

More episodes of The Messy City Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Messy City Podcast podcast page.