Crafting Visions, Unlocking
Opportunities, Creating Value
Demetri Baches, city planner, urban designer, code writer, and lecturer has dedicated over thirty years to the study of successful communities and the implementation of elements that make them so. His professional career has been at the forefront of the revolution in urban design, and master planning that have brought about today’s renaissance in how communities of all sizes approach planning, and developing places of enduring value
Demetri has participated alongside the world’s top designers, architects, and developers on projects ranging from high profile residential infills such as the 2000 National Home Builder’s & Urban Land Institute’s Millennium Show Home Project in downtown Atlanta, GA; to redevelopment plans for communities such as the Downtown Vision Plan for Bentonville, AR for Walton Enterprises, and the redevelopment of Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg, MD. Demetri also works at scale on Greenfield projects inaugurating new cities, such as the master plan of Putrajaya, Malaysia’s new Administrative Capitol City; and the Higher Ground Initiative, a nation-wide strategic & redevelopment plan for the island Nation of Nauru. These, and the many other projects he has been involved in throughout his career, have provided Demetri the skills and tools needed to teach government agencies, developers, and private trusts how to recognize and unlock the untapped potential of their neighborhoods, downtowns and land holdings; a journey of learning that began with his first job as the first planning director for the City of Belmont, NC in 1992.
Since then Demetri has worked on over 170 projects in the US and abroad, first as a director of the internationally renowned planning and architecture firm of DPZ & Company in Miami, FL, then as Founding Partner of DPZ Pacific based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and currently as Owner of Metrocology and AGN, both based in Savannah, GA.
With a client base ranging from developing nations, small and medium sized towns and cities, to regional and national developers, and the real estate offices of legacy family trusts, Demetri continues to revise ordinances, create master plans, and develop long-term strategies for projects large and small that support resilient growth and value adding practices. His work has been recognized with numerous awards from the American Planning Association, the Congress for New Urbanism, and the Urban Land Institute.
Full Spectrum City Building
Expertise
Lectures & Media
Collaborators
Testimonials
“Demetri’s ability to lay out master plans and development principles in a clear and compelling way that capture the imagination of citizens as well as planners is incredibly valuable in driving change.”
Hon Rachel Nolan MP, Minister of Finance, Natural Resources and the Arts, Queensland, Australia
“Demetri was pivotal in his role as principal advisor of a multi-disciplinary team, mentor to decision makers, landowners, and community participants, and lead designer for the largest master planned new town in Australia.”
Warren Harris, State Manager Amex Corp, Queensland Australia
“Demetri’s greatest strength is his willingness to listen — he treats every stakeholder’s input as an essential piece of the puzzle of every project. Across urban renewal projects, large-scale developments, and extensive master planning efforts, he’s been more than a consultant, he’s been a true partner.”
Steve Howe, Head of Real Estate Walton Enterprises, Bentonville AR
“Demetri has always been one of the persons I have gone to when I want an idea or project implemented”
Andres Duany, Owner / Principal, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co.
“Demetri brings a rare combination of professional expertise, design insight, and strategic judgement that makes him an invaluable partner on complex projects. He engages thoughtfully with decision makers, technical teams, and communicates ideas in a clear and inclusive way. His calm, solutions focused manner gives me a high degree of confidence in any work he undertakes.”
Reagan Moses, Permanent Secretary for Climate Change & National Resilience, Republic of Naoero
“Demetri’s quiet and unassuming energy to confront difficult planning tasks allow him to work through challenges with a smile and motivate those around him until a solution is found”.
Leon Krier
“Demetri’s impressive combination of communication, planning and design skills culminate in memorable and successful developments. He would be an asset to any Project that utilizes his many talents.”
Cindy Harris, Vice President of Development, Lang Partners
“Demetri was a valued and trusted member of the Belmont team that I relied on heavily for advice and direction. His work ethic and drive to succeed are only surpassed by his personality and ability to get along with others.”
Mitchell B. Moore, City Manager, Belmont NC
“Demetri’s leadership has been invaluable in allowing sustainable design outcomes to be achieved for the Ripley Valley Master Plan.”
Mike Day, Managing Partner, RobertsDay, Australia
“Not only does Demetri bring considerable technical and aesthetic skills to each project he engages in, but he also possesses that rare professional blend of flexibility, appreciation of commercial dynamics, and salesmanship.”
Dave Henderson, President RFD Investments Limited
“I’ve hired Demetri to work on various master planning projects in my capacity as City Manager in two different municipalities over my career. His professionalism and expertise in urban planning, coding and design, along with his ability to effectively communicate with political leaders and citizens are impressive.”
Michael Peoples, City Manager, Gastonia NC
“Demetri has helped change the image of Belmont from a “mill town to escape from” to a vibrant, up and coming “town to move to.”
John Church, Owner, Centra Properties, Belmont NC
Get in Touch
Mailing Address
hello@Metrocology.com
Visit us at:
Metrocology , County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
General inquiries:
hello@Metrocology.com
Call us
451-484-5939
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Reach Out
Demetri Baches travels internationally to direct and collaborate on projects with leading edge practitioners and forward thinking clients. Invite Demetri to work on your project.