Across major U.S. cities, discretionary planning approvals increasingly function not merely as regulatory tools, but as platforms for negotiating broader societal outcomes–including affordability, climate adaptation, infrastructure modernization, ecological preservation, and community wealth creation. Virtually all larger-scaled building and infrastructure proposals must navigate state or local approval reviews that incorporate public input.

For real estate developers working in major metro markets, the data overwhelmingly show that discretionary entitlement approvals create more asset value lift compared to other critical development tasks, such as securing construction and permanent financing, completing construction, or leasing space.

These discretionary approvals all entail formal outreach: to advocacy groups, community interests, elected officials, neighbors, the media, and the public at large. This requires a strategic engagement framework that can bolster allies, neutralize energized project opponents and convey the larger message about why your project enhances the community character and delivers public benefits.

This course teaches students how deepen and broaden community support as well as how to enhance development proposals during the pre-development process–using real world case studies highlighting how to reframe stakeholder agendas, dissect preference data, and craft a multi-party negotiating strategy. Each student will investigate a real project–in their hometown, intended community after graduation, or a Massachusetts project.

Upon completion of the course, students will be equipped to analyze public engagement and government relations strategies for real estate projects, manage opposition and public scrutiny, and assemble expert teams capable of leading sophisticated grassroots and stakeholder campaigns.