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The Real Story is talking with Peter Palmisano about the creative process behind bringing a decommissioned military base back to life as a vibrant hometown, Hamilton. Peter talks about the planning process, which was open to the local community, and how the size of new neighborhoods was determined not by planners but by locals, who felt that a grouping of 100 – 125 households would make for a good blend of architectural styles and a good representation of lifestyles.

Hamilton, says Peter, was always planned in part by the locals and the prospective homeowners – a bottom up approach that allowed the community to “grow itself”—so much so, that over the years, Hamilton has enjoyed a “spontaneous longevity” according to Peter. Its motto of live, work, play—and most importantly, belong—has evolved beyond a marketing tagline and into the fabric of the community.