The new Miami development film backed by Terra Group CEO David Martin is drawing attention across South Florida as it tackles some of the city’s most urgent urban challenges, including housing affordability, climate resilience, traffic congestion, and suburban sprawl. While many developers typically avoid criticism of Miami’s rapid growth cycle, Martin has taken a different approach by financing a documentary that openly examines the long-term consequences of unchecked development and calls for a smarter strategy for the city’s future.
The documentary, titled The Future We Build, was produced by Miami filmmaker Yoav Attias and features environmental advocates, architects, urban planners, and housing experts discussing the pressures reshaping Miami-Dade County. Rather than serving as a promotional project for Terra Group, the 25-minute film presents a sober analysis of how population growth, rising sea levels, and infrastructure limitations are changing the city’s economic and social landscape.
In one segment, environmental advocate Rachel Silverstein discusses the growing impact of sea-level rise as footage shows flooding along the shoreline at Matheson Hammock Park. Housing advocate Annie Lord points to Miami’s worsening affordability crisis, while urban designer Juan Mullerat criticizes decades of sprawling development patterns that prioritized cars over walkable neighborhoods. University of Miami professor Joanna Lombard also highlights how disconnected urban planning negatively affects both public health and quality of life.
The documentary then shifts focus toward solutions, where Martin appears in his Coconut Grove office calling for immediate action. He argues that developers working in environmentally sensitive and rapidly growing markets like Miami have a responsibility to think beyond individual projects and contribute to broader community improvements.
Martin, who has become one of South Florida’s most influential developers over the past two decades, says the traditional development model is no longer enough for a city facing climate risks and severe affordability pressures. According to Martin, real estate companies must now consider how projects impact transportation, environmental resilience, housing access, and neighborhood connectivity.
The Terra Group CEO explained that his philosophy has evolved throughout his career. While development remains a business, he believes the industry must also address long-term urban challenges if Miami hopes to remain economically sustainable. Martin said the focus should not simply be on building larger projects, but on building smarter communities that improve the surrounding environment and public infrastructure.
Industry professionals who have worked closely with Martin say his approach differs from many traditional developers because of his willingness to engage directly with neighborhoods and invest in broader planning initiatives. Juan Mullerat, founder of the planning and urban design firm Plusurbia, said Martin consistently researches the history and character of neighborhoods before finalizing developments and often adjusts projects based on community feedback.
Mullerat noted that Martin frequently funds studies for streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, resiliency infrastructure, and public spaces that extend far beyond the boundaries of individual developments. In several projects, Terra Group has proposed upgrades to transportation systems and public green spaces alongside residential and commercial construction.
One example involves the Rickenbacker Causeway, where Martin financed a large-scale planning study aimed at redesigning portions of the corridor with improved traffic flow, pedestrian areas, environmental protections, and waterfront parks. Another initiative involved redesign concepts intended to better connect neighborhoods such as Midtown, Wynwood, Edgewater, and the Miami Design District through improved urban infrastructure.
Martin has also supported major public-space initiatives like The Underline, the linear park and pedestrian corridor beneath Miami’s Metrorail system. Supporters say these investments reflect a broader effort to create denser, more connected communities that reduce dependence on automobiles while encouraging mixed-use development.
Throughout the film and in public interviews, Martin repeatedly argues that Miami must shift away from low-density suburban expansion and focus instead on compact urban growth around transit corridors and existing commercial centers. According to him, vertical development near transportation infrastructure can reduce traffic congestion, improve walkability, and preserve environmentally sensitive land on the outskirts of the county.
That philosophy has shaped several of Terra Group’s projects across South Florida. In Coconut Grove, Terra helped develop luxury condominium towers that significantly reshaped the neighborhood’s urban core. Near the Grove Metrorail Station, the company built Grove Central, a large mixed-use development that combines apartments, workforce housing, retail space, and direct transit access.
In Little Havana, Terra also developed workforce housing behind an existing shopping center, placing residents near jobs, groceries, and public transportation. Martin argues that this type of infill development provides a more sustainable solution than pushing residential growth farther west into undeveloped suburban land.
The developer’s work, however, has not escaped criticism. Several of Terra’s high-profile projects have generated controversy among residents concerned about density, traffic, zoning changes, and neighborhood character. Some community groups have accused the company of benefiting from zoning loopholes and contributing to excessive urban growth.
One of the most contentious examples involved The Well Coconut Grove, a wellness-focused residential project that exceeded the area’s traditional height expectations. Critics argued the additional floors disrupted the neighborhood scale and intensified local development pressure. Lawsuits and public opposition followed the approval process, even as supporters praised the project’s architectural and environmental goals.
Martin acknowledges that development disputes are unavoidable in a fast-growing city like Miami. However, he says public consultation remains critical and believes projects improve when developers actively listen to neighborhood concerns. He pointed to the Freedom Tower controversy in the early 2000s as a major lesson in balancing private development with community identity and historic preservation.
That project originally included plans for a condominium tower adjacent to the iconic landmark, but strong public backlash forced Terra to abandon the proposal. The company later donated the property to Miami Dade College, helping create a museum dedicated to Cuban exile history. Martin says the experience permanently changed his understanding of the social responsibility tied to large-scale development.
The documentary also explores the role of public-private partnerships in solving urban problems. Martin argues that government agencies and private developers must work together to address affordability, resiliency, and infrastructure funding challenges. According to him, neither the public nor private sector can solve these issues independently.
Filmmaker Yoav Attias said Martin gave him significant creative freedom while producing the documentary. Attias explained that the project was never intended to market Terra Group developments but instead to encourage public discussion about Miami’s future. The film is divided into chapters covering affordability, climate resilience, health impacts, and collaborative planning strategies.
Urban planning experts featured in the film say Miami still faces enormous long-term challenges despite recent development success. Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, one of the architects behind Miami 21 zoning reforms, praised Martin’s willingness to engage with complex issues such as climate adaptation and affordable housing.
According to Plater-Zyberk, Miami’s future depends on sustained conversations about sustainable growth, transit-oriented development, and community resilience. She noted that while there is no single solution to the city’s problems, ongoing collaboration between developers, policymakers, and residents will remain essential.
As Miami continues attracting new residents, investors, and businesses from around the world, debates over growth and urban planning are expected to intensify. The Miami development film arrives at a time when housing costs, infrastructure demands, and climate concerns are increasingly shaping both political discussions and investment strategies throughout South Florida.
