Job Description
Property Development for Social Change
I grew up going with my dad to his business meetings. His office is in a section of our house so it was easy for me to hear business chat every day. He always took me on sight visits. I remember watching a building start as a pile of rubble and turn into a livable construction. I don’t want to be a basic property developer; I want to do property development for social change.
Property development for social change means I work on projects such as taking dilapidated buildings and repurposing them for community upliftment. That means that I turn these run-down buildings into low-income housing complexes, educational facilities, or voluntary medical clinic centers.
There are three duties that sum up the duties of a property developer for social change:
- Investigator
- Creator
- Developer
I describe each of these characteristics with examples:
Investigator
The work of an investigator occurs in these ways:
- Locate a community
- Acquire land
- Find a need to fit
For example, the first step in this field is to target a specific neighborhood. After the location is set I start to look for available property. This can be vacant land or old run down buildings that are not in use anymore. After that is done, I research the area until I understand what the people lack and try to find a need to fulfill.
Creator
In this role, the creator must figure out a way to solve the discovered need by:
- Brainstorm ways to use the vacant space
- Create possible ideas on how to fulfill the need
- Make a plan to get the project rolling
For example, many areas have the issue of lack of integration due to the high cost of housing. This pushes many people that work in urban areas to live in the suburbs which result in homogenous communities in the cities and high travel costs for those who live on the outskirts. Here, the need is low-cost housing in urban areas. As a creator, I try to stop this trend from magnifying by figuring out a way to use the empty space to construct living complexes or apartments that use space efficiently. To make enough space available for enough people to make a significant impact, the apartments have to be just the right size to include the basic necessities, such as a bathroom, bed area, and kitchen. If this can be accomplished in a small amount of space then more apartments can fit into the complex.
Developer
The final role of a property developer for social change seems quite literal. This is when I physically begin to construct and repurpose the buildings. However, this entails a few steps:
- Source workers who will volunteer their services
- Contract builders to oversee the physical development of the property
For example, the building can become an educational facility to spread HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention information to areas of HIV proliferation, such as the townships of South Africa. I need to ensure that the building meets certain health standards in the event that they will provide HIV testing stations. I need to hire volunteer workers to educate those in the community. This is the last task of a property developer for a social change. Once the building is up and running, I have provided a construction that aids the surrounding area somehow.
Flesh-Kincaid Ease: 54.1
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 10.1
Passive Sentences: 0%
Hey Kiki,
ReplyDeleteThat's really cool that you can weave real estate and property development into a job that puts a focus on real change. Sick people, especially those with diseases like HIV/AIDS have the biggest need for basic necessities like shelter and property. Wish you the best in your future career!
Best,
Khalil
Hey,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story surrounding your position in real estate. I think its great that your dad allowed you to not only help him, but have a major role in his company.
Your work sounds really impactful being able to help others while also learning more about real estate.
I remember mapping using GSI in my Water GE class and finding out how scarce water can be in Africa.
Thanks for sharing,
Garrett
Hi Kiki,
ReplyDeleteI really admire that you has a passion for making a real difference in the world. And it's really cool that your father supports your passion!
I hope there would be more and more real estate developers like you in the future.
---- Claire Lin
Hi, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's really admirable and cool what you are interested in. It seems like a job that is definitely important and makes a big impact in this world. I hope that it all works out for you :)
I love how you mentioned this in your first post and you were able to expand about it in this new post. I really wanted to learn more about this housing development because in LA, I grew up watching people getting evicted from their neighborhoods because they could no longer keep up with the exponential rent hikes. It would be so great if you figure out a solution for housing in really large metropolitan areas.
ReplyDeleteYakira or Kiki, SUCH a cool story and job. Love that working with your father and his work allowed you to develop your own passions and interests within the field. I also appreciate that you're interested in creating a social impact, which is so important. Also, knowing you personally it was interesting hearing how you can and may potentially use your degree from Marshall in the future. Go out and change the world!
ReplyDelete-Clifton
Kiki,
ReplyDeleteIt's a great thing that your job has such a big purpose and that it involves a whole community. Having a job that allows you to make a living and to fight something that you believe in at the same time is very interesting, for it shows that there can and should always be some purpose behind one's job. I think that repurposing buildings is a great way to fight for social change.
Ghali
Hey Yakira,
ReplyDeleteThis was really interesting to read. The way this job is able to make such a significant difference in people’s lives is very rewarding and having experience in the field so early on will definitely allow you to succeed. Good luck on your future projects.
.
-Olivia