Steven Baumgartner founded Baumgartner Urban Systems Strategy LLC (BUSS) after two decades with global integrated design, engineering, planning and architecture firms. Steven believes that urban systems such as energy, water, mobility, technology and food need to be continually re-examined, re-engineered, and re-imagined, especially in today’s world as we navigate coinciding and colliding crises (a global pandemic, systemic racial injustices, economic uncertainties and our immediate climate change challenge). He believes that there are bold, elegant solutions that bridge the built and natural environments that can strengthen our neighborhoods, build economic prosperity and ensure health and wellness- all while working in concert with (not against) our natural systems. Steven has a rich history of creating unique solutions to assist clients in shaping their environments to meet their strategic missions. He has led complex projects around the world for a wide range of clients using the following key philosophies: - Human-centered: building system solutions for and with the people they serve. - Decentralized: breaking down heavy urban systems and infrastructures to community-scale for efficiency, flexibility, resiliency, and transparency. - Value-Based: ensuring every investment is tied back to the client’s value-set and is based on empathy, evidence and experience.

Our cities require services and infrastructures to provide more sustainable outcomes while addressing our greatest challenges.

WE NEED TO DO MORE WITH LESS.

A systems approach is necessary across scales and boundaries to create equitable, sustainable and resilient campuses, communities and cities.

WE HAVE TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

By working with the people these systems serve we can de-infrastructure*, redesign, and re-engineer our cities.

WE MUST LISTEN, AND WORK TOGETHER.

BUSS is about finding new solutions to make our cities more equitable, sustainable and resilient by doing more with less, doing differently and doing together.

Steven Baumgartner believes we should be basing recommendations on system solutions based on evidence, experience and empathy.

*de-infrastructure = (verb) dē/ˈinfrəˌstrək(t)SHər

to break down heavier infrastructures to a scale that allows transparency, so those that are impacted by the system can understand and influence it;

to more closely connect the supply to the demand;
a word Steven made up to describe his work.

Read “De-Infrastructuring” in the Era of the 15-Minute City” in UrbanLand (June, 2021). Steven provides an in-depth look at the 15-minute city concept and why “De-Infrastructuring” our cities will connect people to goods and services in a carbon-free and—Baumgartner would argue—more equitable way.

Listen to Regenerative Real Estate Podcast where Steven elaborates on his philosophies, design processes and critical importance of de-infrastructuring our cities.