Two Detroits. By Design.
A Developer's Perspective:
By Design - Power, Policy, and Detroit's Black Poverty Model
A real-world examination of how development decisions shape neighborhoods—and who they benefit. Grounded in Detroit. Relevant nationwide.
Brinda Devine speaks on how development decisions actually shape neighborhood outcomes—grounded in real projects, not theory.How to Lose a Neighborhood is about what actually happens on the ground—not what people say happens. It breaks down how neighborhoods change, who makes the decisions, and who benefits from those decisions. This isn’t theory—this is based on real experience working in development, dealing with systems, and seeing how things play out in real time.I walk through how economic displacement shows up, how real estate deals are structured, and how policies and investment patterns shape outcomes long before people realize what’s happening. A lot of what drives neighborhood change is not visible—but it’s consistent.Detroit is the backdrop, but this is happening everywhere. If you want to understand how neighborhoods are lost—and what it takes to do it differently—this is that conversation.Cities, developers, foundations, universities, and organizations working in real estate, policy, and community development.Now booking 2026 engagements.
Individual Purchases
About the Book
How to Lose a Neighborhood is a clear, real-world examination of how communities are shaped, destabilized, and often displaced through the systems that govern real estate and development.This is not theory. It is based on how projects actually move—or stall—through decisions around land, capital, policy, and access.Rooted in Detroit, the book offers a practical understanding of how development works—and who it works for.If you’re purchasing for yourself, you can order a single copy by clicking the Button above.
About Brinda Devine
Brinda Devine is a real estate developer and advisor with over 30 years of experience in commercial development, asset management, and neighborhood-scale projects.She is the founder of P8 Real Estate Solutions and the developer of Kornr Store, a neighborhood café and market in Detroit’s Northwest Goldberg community.Her work focuses on how development decisions are made in practice—and how those decisions shape outcomes across neighborhoods.This book is grounded in real work, not observation.
Individual Purchases
Speaking
Brinda Devine speaks on how development decisions actually shape neighborhood outcomes—grounded in real projects, not theory.Now booking 2026 engagements.Who this is for:
Cities, developers, foundations, universities, and organizations working in real estate, policy, and community development.Now booking 2026 speaking and advisory engagements.
Individual Purchases
Advisory
Work With BrindaBrinda Devine provides senior-level advisory to a limited number of organizations working on development, investment, and neighborhood strategy.This is not project management.
This is direct, high-level guidance on decisions that impact real outcomes.Advisory focuses on:
– Development strategy and positioning
– Project review and risk identification
– Decision-making support
– Understanding why projects stall—and how to move them forwardNow booking 2026 speaking and monthly advisory engagements.
Bulk Orders
Bulk Orders & Institutional Purchases
How to Lose a Neighborhood is being used by organizations, universities, and teams to support staff alignment, training, and discussion.
– Internal team discussions
– Board and stakeholder alignment
– Conferences and programs
– Course and curriculum use
This is an opportunity to align your team around a clearer understanding of how neighborhoods are shaped—and how to approach development more intentionally.
Bulk Orders (25+ copies)
Discounted pricing available.
Contact:
(248) 219-6685, [email protected] for pricing and availability.
How to Lose a Neighborhood -
A direct, practical look at how development decisions shape neighborhoods—
and why outcomes are not accidental.