Can a Stadium Save Philadelphia’s “Dead Zone”?

This arena promises to revitalize a portion of Philadelphia’s downtown that has been in economic decline. Here’s why locals are skeptical of these promises.

Highway Ramps Promised To Deliver Chester From Hardship. Residents Are Still Waiting.

10 years ago, PennDOT promised that two new highway ramps in Chester, PA, would produce “an explosion of economic development.” Now, the city is filing for bankruptcy.

Pedal Power Needs People Power

Here’s two stories about powerful local action that Strong Towns members are taking to make their places more bike friendly.

The Best "New" Ideas in Planning Are All Old News

A lot of supposedly "innovative" proposals are for things that have long existed in neighborhoods, but you wouldn't know it based on the language that planners use.

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Shifting Perceptions About a Rust Belt City

Mayor Chris Frye is bringing optimism and economic resilience to New Castle, PA.

"Public engagement" is about knowing your neighbors, not planning a meeting.

Most public engagement is “worse than worthless.” But it doesn’t have to be. These 5 basic steps will lay the groundwork for a community where residents truly guide the future of their city.

Community, Quednau, Top StoryRachel QuednauAugust 27, 2020community engagement, public engagement, Pennsylvania

"They left us a good place."

The downtown may not seem as vibrant as it once was. But there is more there than meets the eye, and this community in Pennsylvania is using the arts to build a future every bit as bright as its past.

Levittown Embodied the Postwar Suburban Experiment. How's It Doing Now?

No name better symbolizes idyllic 1950s suburbia than Levittown. How these massive, master-planned communities—the epitome of America’s suburban experiment—have fared over 70 years tells a less rosy story.

Sanphillippo, Top StoryJohnny SanphillippoJune 11, 2019history, suburbanization, decline, Pennsylvania

Non-Glamorous Gains: The Pennsylvania Land Tax Experiment

Since 1913, Pennsylvania has allowed cities to tax land at a higher rate than buildings. This decision has led to some unique success stories: cities that have weathered post-industrial decline and revitalized their urban cores.

Land Value Tax Series, Top StoryJoshua VincentMarch 6, 2019Pennsylvania, rust belt cities, incremental growth

A Strong Town Pays for Its Sidewalks

My town bills itself as a walkable community, but refuses to put its money where its mouth is.

Finance, Member Post, Top StoryRandy GarbinJuly 8, 2016Pennsylvania

A Strong Towns Comp Plan

What’s one way to make it clear that your town is committed to Strong Towns principles? Put them right into your comprehensive plan.

Holland, MI vs. Carlisle, PA

Representatives from Holland, MI and Carlisle, PA speak about their towns' strengths and challenges in this Final Four round of the Strongest Town contest.

Strongest Town Contest, Top Story, PodcastStrong TownsMarch 28, 2016final 4, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Carlisle PA

Carlisle, PA vs. Truckee, CA

In this final Elite Eight match-up of East Coast meets West Coast, your votes will determine the Strongest Town.

Strongest Town Contest, Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 22, 2016Pennsylvania, California, Carlisle PA

Built-In Advantages

Scranton, Pennsylvania is not a wealthy place, but it is a place with underappreciated intrinsic wealth. Bet on older mid-size cities like Scranton, whose built-in advantages leave them well-positioned to weather future economic disruption.