Top of the Bottom-Up: Taking Matters Into Our Own Hands to #SlowTheCars

After the local government did nothing, this Strong Towns advocate bought a dangerous road in her community and made it safer.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, #SlowtheCars, Parking, Walkability, Success Story, Safe & Productive Streets, Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 5, 2023The Bottom-Up Revolution, Hawaii, children, #SlowTheCars, walkability, Safe and Productive Streets, taking action

Want To See the World’s Best Library of 2022? Look No Further!

Public spaces are an important investment, and as an example of a public space done right, look no further than Missoula, MT, which is home to the world’s best public library of 2022.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Theilen, Public Space, Top StoryKarla TheilenOctober 9, 2022neighborhood storyteller, libraries, public space, children

Our Kids Shouldn’t Solve the School Bus Driver Shortage by Walking Through “Death Valley”

Just like last year, we’re facing a bus driver shortage. Some are asking why our kids can’t just walk, bike, or take public transit to school, but the answer isn’t that simple.

#SlowtheCars, Roads and Streets, Stange, Transportation, Top StoryJay StangeAugust 25, 2022Safety, Safe and Productive Streets, Safe Routes to Schools, Pedestrian Safety, pedestrian safety, children, schools, bus, buses, #PedestrianUnfriendly, #SlowTheCars, transportation

When It Comes to Child Safety, We Deserve Better Than Car Seats

With a baby on the way, I’ve been lectured multiple times about safe car seats, and heard nothing about how to minimize the most dangerous activity people do with their children: drive.

Quednau, Transportation, Top StoryRachel QuednauAugust 8, 2022Safety, children, car culture, car dependency, cars, auto-oriented, car crash, walkability, transportation

Henderson Highway Blues

A mother reflects on the fears she faces while navigating a dangerous highway with her children, as pedestrians.

#SlowtheCars, Dear Winnipeg, Walkability, Top Story, Emma Durand-WoodEmma Durand-WoodAugust 5, 2022highways, canada, Canada, Winnipeg, Safety, Pedestrian Safety, pedestrian safety, pedestrians, #PedestrianUnfriendly, walkability, children, #SlowTheCars

If We Build Cities for Kids, We Build Cities for Everyone

Can you walk down your local streets with your kids—without gripping their hands and anxiously eying traffic—and feel comfortable and relaxed? If not, something’s wrong with the design of those streets.

Roads and Streets, Stange, Walkability, Top StoryJay StangeAugust 3, 2022safety, Pedestrian Safety, pedestrian safety, children, streets, Safe and Productive Streets, Street Design, design, walkability, pedestrians, #PedestrianUnfriendly, pedestrian crossing

Burned Into Memory: Community Building in a Remote Fire Tower?

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller gets an unexpected—and delighted—visitor at her fire lookout tower.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Theilen, Community, Top StoryKarla TheilenJuly 26, 2022neighborhood storyteller, community, children, montana

Our Year Without a Car (With Kids)

It’s not easy to live without a car when you have young children, but it’s certainly possible. Plus, having to walk can help you build unexpected connections with your community.

Public Transit, Walkability, Community, Top StoryGrace OlmsteadJuly 19, 2022walkability, Europe, Gracy Olmstead, children, bus, buses, public transit, community, Community

Keeping Tabs on the Community Bulletin Board

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller reflects on ways she stays connected—at least in spirit—with her community, even when she’s physically far away.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Theilen, Community, Top StoryKarla TheilenJuly 19, 2022neighborhood storyteller, community, neighborhood, children, pets, radio

What’s the First Sign of a Safe Street?

How many kids feel safe playing on your local street?

#SlowtheCars, Roads and Streets, Sheppard, Top StorySeairra SheppardJuly 5, 2022Safety, children, play, Safe and Productive Streets, public safety, Public Safety, Pedestrian Safety, pedestrian safety, #SlowTheCars, streets

"We Won't Raise Our Kids in Suburbia"

In this Not Just Bikes video, Jason Slaughter explains how raising children in the suburbs significantly restricts their ability to be independent.

Suburban Experiment, Video, Top StoryJay StangeJune 23, 2022suburbs, suburban experiment, suburban development pattern, suburbanization, Not Just Bikes, children, Safety, safety, car dependency, car culture

Luke Crosswalker: Tactical Urbanist

When people were speeding at a neighborhood crosswalk, this neon hero stepped in to #SlowTheCars and protect local children on their way to school.

#SlowtheCars, Tactical Urbanism, Top StoryDanielle RichardMarch 11, 2022schools, Pedestrian Safety, pedestrian safety, Safety, pedestrians, pedestrian crossing, #PedestrianUnfriendly, #SlowTheCars, tactical urbanism, Tactical Urbanism, children, traffic engineering

The Bottom-Up Revolution Is...Turning a Historic Synagogue into a Community Cultural Center

Rabbi Donna Berman leads a community center serving neighbors in Hartford, CT.

Podcast, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Faith, Neighborhoods, Top StoryStrong TownsFebruary 10, 2022taking action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, education, children, homelessness, revitalization

The Hidden Inequity of Car-Based Design

For significant populations of people in the U.S., the requirement to drive is a major barrier to participating in city life.

Public Transit, Walkability, Top Story, OwensTiffany Owens ReedSeptember 27, 2021car culture, car dependency, seniors, children, cars, suburban development pattern, STROADS, #PedestrianUnfriendly

The School Bus Driver Shortage is a Problem We Didn't Have to Have

Schools across the U.S. are experiencing a bus driver shortage, but the root cause of this issue has less to do with the COVID pandemic than one might think.

Coronavirus, Herriges, Schools, Transportation, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesSeptember 23, 2021buses, schools, children, transportation, suburban transit, suburban experiment, suburban development pattern, coronavirus, Coronavirus

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Taking Matters Into Our Own Hands to #SlowTheCars

After the local government did nothing, this Strong Towns advocate bought a dangerous road in her community and made it safer.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, #SlowtheCars, Parking, Walkability, Success Story, Top StoryStrong TownsAugust 5, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, Hawaii, children, #SlowTheCars, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Empowering Young People to Rebuild Homes

In Birmingham, AL, a unique high school program trains teens in home renovation and building skills, while revitalizing their neighborhood in the process. Jeanyll Morris shares her experience helping lead the program.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Neighborhoods, Housing, Schools, Top StoryStrong TownsMay 20, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, neighborhood, alabama, education, children, neighborhood revitalization, revitalization, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Teaching Young People to Think Resiliently

High school students are learning about Strong Towns concepts at an innovative program in Atlanta.

Top Story, Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, SchoolsStrong TownsNovember 19, 2020The Bottom-Up Revolution, education, children, affordable housing, taking action

Now Is the Time to Start Raising Up the Next Generation of Community Advocates

Our best hope for making longterm change is showing our children what strong cities look like. These family-friendly presentations—from Charles Montgomery, Jeff Speck, and others—can help.