Grassroots Development: Building Communities Abroad - KC Hardin

KC Hardin, founder of Conservatorio, joins MoPo and shares his inspiring journey from corporate law in New York to real estate development in Panama. He discusses the revitalization of Casco Viejo - a historic district in Panama City, the lessons learned in navigating the complexities of real estate, and the importance of community engagement in urban development. KC also reflects on the current landscape of real estate in Panama, the challenges of affordability, and his vision for interconnected neighborhoods that foster community. He emphasizes the need for adaptive reuse of buildings and the role of developers in shaping vibrant urban spaces. - Keyes Christopher (KC) Hardin is a co-founder of Conservatorio and has been its president since its inception in 2005. KC also co-founded Esperanza San Felipe, a gang intervention and integration program in the historic district of the Panamanian capital. Before moving to Panama, KC worked as a corporate lawyer in New York and Tokyo with the firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, where he primarily focused on mergers and acquisitions and private equity. He is a member of the Central America Leadership Initiative of the Aspen Institute and a research associate at MIT's Community Innovators Laboratory (CoLab). He holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and a B.S. in Communications from the University of Miami. Keywords real estate, Panama, urban development, community engagement, adaptive reuse, Conservatorio, Casco Viejo, architecture, sustainability, housing Chapters 00:00 Casey Hardin's Journey from Law to Real Estate 07:35 The Birth of Conservatorio and Its Impact 12:02 Adaptive Reuse and the Challenges of Development 18:48 Lessons Learned and the Evolution of Conservatorio 20:28 Community Development and Zoning in Panama 26:01 Mixed-Use Development and Community Engagement 33:37 Challenges in Design and Development Tools 40:01 Real Estate Landscape and Mobility in Panama 45:40 Future Projects and Urban Revitalization 47:32 The Vision of a Great City Links Conservatorio Casco Viejo Olde Good Things