Many projects start out with "pre-development phases" before a budget has been established or before funding has been secured. ArchPlan can assist in those early stages through efficient feasibility analysis by testing sites for possible yields under current or proposed zoning and through analysis of the major influencing factors. In the early stages we might work with economic consultants who are able to think beyond the current market and can identify what it takes to break through existing limitations. ArchPlan has utilized this strategy on a number of urban design projects in which the team developed "win-win" approaches and obtained consensus among communities, developers, and government agencies.
ArchPlan has extensive experience with community participation and consensus building. We understand that the most wonderful urban concepts are useless if the area stakeholders and the community do not support them. Our approach is therefore based on the objective of finding win-win solutions, which will provide both public and private benefits and bring private investment to the area.
Klaus Philipsen, President of ArchPlan, is uniquely qualified to bring together the various interests and aspects of urban planning and development. Ten years of experience as councilman in a Borough of Stuttgart, Germany, taught him to see planning and development through the eyes of both the elected official and the public. In his function as board member of Baltimore AIA (American Institute of Architects) and the 1000 Friends of Maryland, he routinely participates in task forces and charrettes and has facilitated numerous community planning events.
