Mansion Blight: How the Most Expensive Homes Drain Community Wealth

Mansions on large lots, not rundown properties in low-socioeconomic-status neighborhoods, are the real blight on a community’s financial health.

“Bias Writ Large” in the Property Tax Assessment System

There are some obvious anomalies that are being overlooked in the property tax assessment system. Joe Minicozzi of Urban3 pulls back the curtain in this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast.

The Numbers Don't Lie

To have enduring prosperity, a community cannot squander its land; it must develop in ways that are financially productive.

Why Cities Shouldn’t Wait for the Feds to Do Something about Reparations

Decades of disinvestment have trapped neighborhoods in poverty. Cities can do something about it—with tools they already have—and build lasting prosperity that benefits everyone.

Top Story, Kansas City, Podcast, Upzoned, Urban3Strong TownsOctober 7, 2020Upzoned, redlining, race, Kansas City, kcmo2020, Joe Minicozzi, Urban3, kcmosupplemental

An Old Building Should Get A Birthday Present

The oldest buildings in your city have endured for a reason. They’re also the ones most likely to be around long into the future. Why not show them a little love?

Herriges, Architecture, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesAugust 24, 2020architecture, Joe Minicozzi, traditional development pattern

Not so Fast: Density Isn’t Plague-Inducing

Commentators have speculated that density has been toxic during the coronavirus crisis. But Joe Minicozzi of Urban3 did what he does best—he ran the numbers—and found a different story. This is why data should prevail during a pandemic.

Urban3, Urban DesignJoe MinicozziApril 20, 2020coronavirus, Urban3, Joe Minicozzi, density, urbanism, public health

Greetings from Anywhere: Supporting Postcard-Worthy Places

Turns out, the things worth writing home about are the same things that make a place worth calling home. What would it take to develop postcard-worthy places again?

Urban3, Urban Design, Architecture, Top StoryJoe MinicozziNovember 20, 2019Joe Minicozzi, Urban3, Postcards, nostalgia, architecture

"We're Overbuilt on the Public Side, and Underbuilt on the Private Side"

Our own Chuck Marohn and Urban3’s Joe Minicozzi got together to deliver some tough truths about building a stronger Kansas City, Missouri. Lesson number one: Simply tweaking how you collect taxes is not going to solve your revenue problems.

Live in Kansas City: "We’re a suburban community learning we can be urban."

Kansas City has more freeway lane miles per capita than any other city in the country…and possibly the world. Can a city so devoted to edge development for the last 60 years pursue a more fiscally responsible approach to development? There are reasons to be hopeful.

The Power of Information Equity

Information about our city’s revenue, expenses and liabilities is usually presented in ways that disempower most people from making informed decisions. But what about folks who aren’t a Level 20 Spreadsheet Wizard? How can we use data to better tell the story of where we are now — and empower more people to write the story of their city’s future?

Urban3, Strong America Tour, Top StoryJoe MinicozziOctober 8, 2019Urban3, data, Value Per Acre, Joe Minicozzi

Why Would a Property Owner Oppose Neighborhood Improvements?

As an engineer, I once had property owners turn out en masse to oppose a project I was working on that would fix their potholed street and broken sidewalks. Find out why—and one key policy change that might have led to a different response.

#DotheMath, Podcast, Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnMay 6, 2019Joe Minicozzi, Urban3, Value Per Acre

Places Where I Don't Want to Sit

We live in cities starved for good public space. There are so few spots in North America where you can sit comfortably for free. And when we do try to create sittable public space, we often fail spectacularly.

The Savannah Urbanism Series

Here's a video featuring Chuck Marohn, Joe Minicozzi and Kevin Klinkenberg from an event earlier this year in Savannah. The extended Q&A is a must-watch.

Top Story, Marohn, Curbside ChatCharles MarohnApril 18, 2016Savannah, Curbside Chat, Joe Minicozzi, Urban3

The Walmart Trophy

Walmart builds cheap buildings in order to sell Americans cheap stuff. This model is harming small towns across America.

Podcast: Joe Minicozzi

Chuck Marohn interviews Joe Minicozzi of Urban Three about how parking lots take away value and tax revenue from our cities.

#BlackFridayParking, Podcast, ParkingStrong TownsNovember 25, 2015Joe Minicozzi, parking minimums, Urban3

Member Testimonial: Joe Minicozzi

"Strong Towns is the go-to source for a clear-eyed and agnostic explanation of why our communities are going broke." ~ Joe Minicozzi

#1000Strong, LeyrerStrong TownsNovember 13, 2015Joe Minicozzi, member testimonials

Lafayette Pipes and Hydrants

Cities can experience growth and job creation today quite easily if they are willing to take on a disproportionate amount of long term liabilities. In other words, I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for growth and jobs today.

Marohn, #DotheMathCharles MarohnSeptember 14, 2015debate, Joe Minicozzi, Lafayette, growth, financial solvency

Weekly Podcast Update

A podcast preview of the upcoming week including introducing Jason Schaefer, the new Member Support Specialist at Strong Towns, a trip to Lafayette with Joe Minicozzi, a debate with Cato fellow Randal O'Toole and a success story in Waco.

PodcastStrong TownsSeptember 8, 2015Lafayette, Joe Minicozzi, Randal O'Toole

Mapping the Dollars and Sense of Land Use Patterns

Joe Minicozzi, principal of the econometric consulting firm Urban3, challenges assumptions about land use and development. With tools like basic arithmetic, maps, and 3D visualization using ArcScene and CityEngine, he makes the case against suburban sprawl and reaffirms the value of mixed-use urban development.