Reimagining our cities: lessons from The Well-Tempered City

What if we could design cities that don’t just function, but flourish?

That question sits at the heart of Jonathan F.P. Rose’s The Well-Tempered City, a profound exploration of how urban centers can evolve to become more resilient, equitable, and sustainable.

Jonathan, Founder and President of Jonathan Rose Companies and a leading voice in urban planning and real estate, joined Willy Walker on the Walker Webcast on December 3 to unpack the ideas behind his book and to challenge all of us in real estate and finance to think differently about how we shape the communities of tomorrow.

At Walker & Dunlop, we believe the built environment plays a powerful role in determining economic opportunity, public health, and climate outcomes. That’s why this conversation with Jonathan and Scott J Alter, Principal and Co-Founder of Standard Communities, resonated so deeply. Jonathan’s framework aligns with our own commitment to supporting inclusive, durable, and forward-thinking housing solutions.

A systems-based approach to urban resilience

In The Well-Tempered City, Jonathan draws on 40 years of experience in urban development and public policy to present a compelling vision for how cities can thrive. He weaves together history, science, and spirituality to propose a five-part framework—coherence, circularity, resilience, community, and compassion—as the foundation for future cities.

These principles may sound philosophical, but Jonathan grounds them in pragmatic, data-driven strategies that are already being implemented in cities around the world. From energy-efficient affordable housing to infrastructure that responds to climate risk, his ideas are highly relevant for developers, investors, policymakers, and anyone who plays a role in shaping urban life.

Why this matters now

The timing of Jonathan’s message couldn’t be more urgent. As cities face growing challenges, from housing shortages and inequality to extreme weather and aging infrastructure, leaders across sectors must reimagine how we plan and finance growth. This is especially critical in the affordable housing space, where the need for creative, long-term solutions has never been greater.

At Walker & Dunlop, we’re proud to be at the intersection of capital, community, and innovation. Jonathan’s work reinforces what we know to be true: that successful real estate is about more than returns; it’s about creating places where people can thrive.

A conversation worth watching

During his Walker Webcast conversation with Willy Walker, Jonathan shared insights that were as thoughtful as they were actionable. Whether discussing the emotional intelligence of cities or the intersection of public policy and private investment, his ideas left our audience inspired and better equipped to think systemically about the future of real estate.

If you missed the live conversation, I encourage you to watch the full episode and pick up a copy of The Well-Tempered City. It’s a must-read for anyone working at the intersection of urban development, policy, and finance and anyone who cares about the future of our cities.

As Jonathan reminds us, the cities we build today will define the world we live in tomorrow. Let’s build wisely.

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