Move Fast and Fix Things – Thank You, Asheville!

In September, the Asheville Downtown Association had the pleasure of hosting Jon Jon, the Happy Urbanist, for his engaging talk, Move Fast and Fix Things. The event was a wonderful opportunity to explore how small, thoughtful changes can make a big difference in the life of a city.

Jon Jon’s message is simple but powerful: progress doesn’t have to be slow. From creative placemaking to improving everyday public spaces, even small actions can transform the way people experience downtowns. His talk reminded us that noticing opportunities and taking initiative, sometimes on a small scale, can spark meaningful change.

We are incredibly grateful to Jon Jon for sharing his insight and energy with our community. The conversation that followed his presentation was inspiring, with attendees sharing ideas, questions, and examples of how Asheville can continue to grow as a vibrant, people-centered city.

A special “thank you” goes to our partners and community members who joined us, your engagement is what makes these events so impactful. We hope our downtown enthusiasts are committed to building on the momentum from this talk, working together to make Downtown Asheville a place where people feel welcome, inspired, and connected. An extended round of applause to those who Sponsored the event : Urban3, Fitz & The Wolfe, Asheville on Bikes, the Asheville Downtown Association Foundation, and the Asheville Downtown Improvement District.

Together, we can keep moving fast, fixing things, and creating a Downtown that allows everyone to thrive.