Local government is where you can make the most impact and difference in your city, but how do you go about actually interacting with your local government?

Local Government, Erfurt, Top Story, Edward ErfurtEdward ErfurtFebruary 3, 2023local government, public engagement, local politics

Road-Widening Project Threatens 30-Year-Old Farmers Market

Residents of Mooresville, NC, are outraged as a road-widening project and ensuing regulatory dispute pushed by city officials threaten the future of a longstanding farmers market.

End Highway Expansion, Local Government, Sheppard, News, Top StorySeairra SheppardJanuary 23, 2023End Highway Expansion, farmer's market, local business, local politics, local government, North Carolina, DOT, freeway widening

Community Is Important. But “The Community” Is an Illusion.

You should be wary of anyone who claims to speak for “the community” or “the public,” especially when it’s in lieu of telling you who will benefit from the actions they support.

Local Government, Herriges, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesJuly 20, 2022community, politics, local government, city government, state government, localism, NIMBY, YIMBY, local politics

Local Control or Centralized Planning? There’s a Third Answer.

The problems with "community input" are many and obvious. One misguided response is to favor more top-down policy making, simply overriding the objections of local "NIMBYs." But there is a third way.

Local Government, Herriges, Planning Profession, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesJune 29, 2022localism, local government, local regulation, local politics, bottom-up, top-down, planning process, strong towns approach, incremental, incrementalism, Small Change, small bets

5 Tips for Getting Things Done—Even in These Politically Divisive Times

How do you make progress on helpful changes in your community when it’s politically divided? This free action guide will show you.

Taking Action, Top StoryStrong TownsApril 21, 2022how to, taking action, Local-Motive Tour, politics, local politics

I'm Making Real Change in My City

If you ever wanted to REALLY make a change in your town, instead of just starting a fight, consider this your manifesto.

Local Government, Member Post, Politics, Top StoryAllen AldermanApril 19, 2022local government, local gov, public engagement, community engagement, local politics, city council, city government, Municipalism, how to, member story

Can Local Governments Be Held Accountable to Their Own Policies?

This organization is suing their local government over an insolvent, master-planned development in Collier County, Florida.

Finance, Herriges, Local Government, Taking Action, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesDecember 2, 2021Florida, environment, local politics, local government, master planned, financial solvency, taking action

Pete Davis: The Case for Commitment in an Age of “Infinite Browsing”

The advice to “keep your options open” is having a negative impact on our cities. Here’s why.

Podcast, Community, Top Story, ST PodcastStrong TownsJuly 12, 2021Podcast, Pete Davis, Harvard, books, local politics

Mayors Leading the Push for Reparations Programs

A new coalition of 11 U.S. mayors has announced an initiative to establish pilot reparations programs aimed at reducing the racial wealth gap.

Success Story, Herriges, Local Government, Neighborhoods, Race, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesJuly 1, 2021success stories, redlining, race, local government, local politics

How Strong Towns Can Help You Ask Your Local Leaders the Right Questions

Learn how one Texas-based Strong Towns member used the Strong Towns message to ask city council candidates the hard questions that—when we grapple with them—lead to stronger cities and towns.

Taking Action, #StrongCitizens, Success Story, Top StoryJacob MosesMay 23, 2019local conversations, local politics, public engagement

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