Authentic vs. Artificial: Why Manufactured Places Never Quite Land

A busy historic downtown street with shops and pedestrians at golden hour, illustrating authentic placemaking done well.

Authenticity isn’t a finish you apply at the end. David Shanks on the decisions that decide whether a new development earns its place, or just occupies one. You can feel the difference between a neighborhood and a stage set within thirty seconds of arriving. Your senses register it before you can explain why, and that […]