Prosper in
Proximity
Shared Shadow Works starts with a simple idea: proximity is the foundation for urban vitality, resilient, healthy, and socially vibrant communities. The closer we live to one another, and to the places where we shop and meet our daily needs, the more opportunities we create for human connection and community. Living in modest homes in modest size buildings values proximity, turning streets and plazas to where neighbors can converse or rest celebrates it, investing in equitable services and programs so communities from all backgrounds can thrive also underscores the value of prospering in proximity rather than living in distance.
The name is inspired by the Persian word for neighbor, hamsayeh, which combines the words for togetherness and shadow. Our homes built close to one another share shadow imprints when the sun shines.
The Practice
Shared Shadow Works is an urban planning and housing accelerator practice, focused on translating policies to intended outcomes in places we live. Services support turning underused properties into new homes in smaller multi-unit buildings; advancing housing policies and Housing Element implementation, and facilitating community development, placemaking, and neighborhood services outcomes through program design, implementation, and evaluation.
Small Real Estate Owner Investors
Planning and Land Use Consultants
Emerging Developers
Public Agencies & Legislators
Mission-driven Organizations
Research & Advocacy Organizations
Kimia Haddadan
I am an urban planner with more than 15 years of experience in housing policy, community development, land use, and real estate development. I spent most of my career at the public sector, where my work ranged from citywide housing policy to neighborhood investment, legislation, public sites, development feasibility, and capital planning.
My approach to planning is rooted in collaboration and collective design. I like complicated problems, particularly those without an obvious owner or solution. I enjoy connecting the dots and filling the gaps. Much of my work has involved bringing together people with different interests, creating structure where there is ambiguity, and growing the space for agreement. My goal is to build solutions to complex urban challenges. I am an avid supporter and advocate for small multi-unit developments as starter homes.
I lived in small multi-unit buildings almost all my life, with neighbors upstairs, downstairs, or next door. I spent most of my childhood in shared backyards playing with neighbor friends. Living in the U.S, I noticed how rare that lifestyle is and I missed that for my children. With the increasing interest at the State and Federal level for middle housing, Shared Shadow Works will grow to translate that lifestyle into a new American Dream.
Join the Journal
