# HIBT Lab! Babcock Ranch: Syd Kitson

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-05-04
- Length: 39m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-04-hibt-lab-babcock-ranch-syd-kitson

## Summary

Syd Kitson, founder of Kitson and Partners, explains how he transformed 91,000 acres in Southwest Florida into Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered and climate-resilient community. He details the strategic decision to preserve 80% of the land as a nature preserve and position the remaining 20% 30 miles inland to avoid storm surge. The episode highlights the development of a 150-megawatt solar array with 700,000 panels and a smart water management system that allowed the town to withstand Hurricane Ian with minimal damage. Kitson also discusses the importance of building schools and commercial spaces to create a multigenerational, self-sustaining ecosystem.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-04-hibt-lab-babcock-ranch-syd-kitson#t=0) Introduction: Syd Kitson and Babcock Ranch
- [1:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-04-hibt-lab-babcock-ranch-syd-kitson#t=77) From NFL Player to Real Estate Developer
- [6:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-04-hibt-lab-babcock-ranch-syd-kitson#t=401) Vision for Environmental Sustainability
- [8:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-04-hibt-lab-babcock-ranch-syd-kitson#t=529) Acquiring 91,000 Acres and Preserving Land
- [14:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-04-hibt-lab-babcock-ranch-syd-kitson#t=847) Building America's First Solar-Powered Town
- [18:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-04-hibt-lab-babcock-ranch-syd-kitson#t=1091) Location Strategy and School Development
- [27:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-04-hibt-lab-babcock-ranch-syd-kitson#t=1621) Designing for Hurricane Resilience
- [29:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-04-hibt-lab-babcock-ranch-syd-kitson#t=1785) Surviving Hurricane Ian
- [35:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-04-hibt-lab-babcock-ranch-syd-kitson#t=2147) Innovation Way and Replicating the Model

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Babcock Ranch (product)
- Kitson and Partners (company)
- Green Bay Packers (company)
- Florida Power and Light (company)
- Hurricane Ian (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Firefighting, Electrical Engineering, and Community-Building with Michael Wrinch](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-03-29-firefighting-electrical-engineering-and-community-building-with-michael-wrinch) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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