Are Community Land Trusts Good for Cities?

As housing costs rise and neighbourhoods change, many communities are asking a fundamental question: how can current community members help shape the future of their neighbourhoods?  Community land trusts are increasingly part of that conversation. While often framed as a tool for permanent affordability, CLTs also represent a broader shift in how land is owned, governed, and stewarded. In this episode of Good for Cities, Matti Siemiatycki speaks with urban planner Chiyi Tam, about the growing community land trusts movement. They examine what development without displacement can mean in practice, explain how CLTs differ from housing co-ops, and dig into how governance models can bring residents into meaningful decision-making to build long-term stability. The conversation asks what CLTs reveal about civic engagement and imagination in city building, and how different ownership models can shape more inclusive urban futures.