I’m Excited That My City Is Charging More for Parking

Milwaukee, WI, is now going to start charging more for parking in downtown. Here’s why that’s something to celebrate, rather than bemoan.

End Parking Mandates, Top StoryRachel QuednauApril 12, 2023Parking, parking, End Parking Mandates and Subsidies, parking pricing, Parking pricing, Wisconsin, parking meters, Parking Reform Network, downtown

The Suburbs Are a “One-Life-Cycle” Product

A recent CNBC documentary features Strong Towns insights from Charles Marohn about why suburban development is so risky.

Housing, Quednau, Top Story, Transparent AccountingRachel QuednauSeptember 20, 2022suburban development pattern, suburban experiment, suburbs, incremental development, incrementalism, incremental, Incremental Housing, housing cost, housing, housing affordability, housing crisis, Housing Crisis, Housing

Mall Money, More Problems

Yet another failed mall (this time in Milwaukee, WI) proves to be a drag on—and an active harm to—its surroundings.

#DotheMath, Quednau, Top Story, Safe & Productive Streets, Transparent AccountingRachel QuednauSeptember 1, 2022malls, financial solvency, #DoTheMath, finance, Value Per Acre, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, milwaukee, shopping malls, public investment

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

Announcing a New Plan for the Strong Towns Movement

We’re pleased to present the new Strong Towns Strategic Plan, which will guide the organization for at least the next five years (until we craft a new one)!

Announcement, Top StoryRachel QuednauMay 31, 2022strategic plan, strong towns approach, announcement

Hey, Starbucks: Your Drive-Thru Doesn't Belong in My Community

Or in anyone else’s, for that matter! A strong neighborhood has businesses that keep money in the local economy, instead of siphoning money out.

Neighborhoods, Quednau, Top StoryRachel QuednauMay 9, 2022coffee shops, local business, local economy, business, small business, neighborhood, Neighborhoods, cars, car culture, localism, Wisconsin, Third Places

NTSB Chair After Car Crash: “There’s a Problem With That Road Design”

The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, Jennifer Homendy, recently survived a car crash. And she’s not blaming it on reckless driving.

#SlowtheCars, Quednau, Roads and Streets, Top StoryRachel QuednauApril 6, 2022Safety, car crash, cars, traffic engineering, streets, Street Design, #SlowTheCars

What’s Wrong with Engineering Values? (New Video Series)

This video series shows why engineers have such different priorities from the rest of us. As Planetizen puts it, “If you’re not yet outraged, prepare to be.”

Confessions Book, Transportation, Video, Top StoryRachel QuednauMarch 25, 2022transportation, Confessions of a Recovering Engineer, engineers, engineering profession, traffic engineering

Are Electric Bikes a Passing Fad or a Revolutionary Transportation Tool?

And should I get one?

Bikeability, Quednau, Transportation, Top StoryRachel QuednauFebruary 24, 2022biking, bikeability, bike infrastructure, bikes, e-bikes, transportation

The 5 Best Strong Towns Articles and Podcasts from 2021: Rachel's Picks

Strong Towns Program Director Rachel Quednau shares her favorite content from this past year.

Best of Blog, Quednau, Top StoryRachel QuednauDecember 14, 2021Best of 2021

Your Support Means Everything

There are all kinds of people that make up the Strong Towns membership, but they have one thing in common: they are all supporting this movement.

Membership, Top StoryRachel QuednauNovember 19, 2021member drive, membership

Find Your Connection in the Strong Towns Movement

You’re not alone in your desire for a safer neighborhood or a city where every family can prosper.

Community, Membership, Top StoryRachel QuednauNovember 17, 2021member drive, membership, community, Community

This One's For the Doers

We encounter a lot of “doers” in this movement—but there’s more than one way to take a step toward action.

Membership, Taking Action, Quednau, Top StoryRachel QuednauNovember 16, 2021taking action, member drive, membership

Sorry, but a $10 Million Sewer System Won't Fix Your Economy

This small town in Maine is hoping to breathe life back into its Main Street…but is looking for solutions in all the wrong places.

#InfrastructureCrisis, Infrastructure, Local Government, Quednau, Top StoryRachel QuednauOctober 26, 2021sewers, public investment, Infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure spending, Small Towns, small towns, local government

About that Spirit Halloween Store You Always See Around This Time of Year...

It’s back. But why?

Big Box Stores, Quednau, Suburban Experiment, Top StoryRachel QuednauSeptember 29, 2021commercial real estate, suburban development pattern, blight, pop-up, big box stores

A How-To Guide for Better Community Engagement

True community engagement is not just about listening. It’s about building understanding.

Community, Action Lab, Engagement, Quednau, Top StoryRachel QuednauSeptember 14, 2021community, Community, community engagement, communication, community building, how to, Action Lab

How to Fight Harmful Road Projects in Your Community

These videos will help anyone who wants to see their city stop building new roads and start building stronger towns.

#NoNewRoads, Top StoryRachel QuednauAugust 31, 2021Austin, Shreveport, #NoNewRoads

How to Grow an Ecosystem of Entrepreneurs in Your City

What makes a successful entrepreneur? How can your city encourage more entrepreneurs to step up and put their ideas into action? Check out this free how-to guide for the answers.

Coronavirus, Quednau, Taking Action, Top StoryRachel QuednauAugust 24, 2021how to, Entrepreneurship, taking action, coronavirus

Is It Worth Planting Flowers Here?

Is it worth investing in something that (seemingly) has no practical function? If we want to strengthen our neighborhoods, sometimes the answer is “yes.”