Strong Towns 101: Productive Building Types

Different approaches to building produce very different financial results that can be easily measured and contrasted.

Top Story, Marohn, Iron Range, #DotheMathCharles MarohnMay 17, 2016productive place, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, 101

Iron Range Makerspace Creates a Whole New Type of Economic Opportunity

The Iron Range Makerspace will connect residents with space, tools and community to build new businesses and create a better economic future for the region. Founder, Andrew Hanegmon, filled us in on this cool new project.

Iron Range, Top Story, QuednauRachel QuednauMay 17, 2016Iron Range Makerspace, profile

Scott Hall at KAXE radio

Scott Hall is a long-time resident of the Iron Range and the Community Asset Coordinator for KAXE Northern Community Radio. He talks about the history of the region and the changes in the Iron Range over the last several decades, through the lens of his own life there.

Iron Range, Podcast, Top Story, #StrongCitizensStrong TownsMay 16, 2016

Today on the Iron Range

Today kicks off our first day on the Range. This morning, Chuck Marohn and Jason Schaefer will start out in Grand Rapids, MN. Here's what they're up to.

Top Story, Iron RangeStrong TownsMay 16, 2016Grand Rapids, Curbside Chat+

Strong Towns 101: Walmart or Smallmart?

A basic look at financial productivity applied to the Iron Range community of Grand Rapids.

Strong Towns on the Iron Range

This week Strong Towns will be focusing -- here in our media stream as well as on the ground -- on Minnesota's Iron Range communities.

Iron Range, MarohnCharles MarohnMay 16, 2016economics, Megaprojects, Curbside Chat+

Our Top Stories from this Week

Transportation was a hot topic this week--with conversations on municipal airports, parking and bicycle infrastructure topping the charts.

Rachel QuednauMay 14, 2016post roundup

A Jane's Walk in Montreal

Zvi Leve is a Strong Towns member who lives in Montreal and recently led two "Jane's Walks." Today we're sharing photos and reflections from those walks.

Walkability, Top Story, #StrongCitizensRachel QuednauMay 13, 2016Jane Jacobs

Leslie Knope, a true Strong Citizen

She’s smart, she’s motivated and she’s 100% dedicated to helping her town of Pawnee, IN be the best it can be.

Quednau, Top Story, #StrongCitizensRachel QuednauMay 13, 2016Parks and Recreation

Sprawl, Smart Growth and Strong Towns

In a solo podcast, Chuck talks about the articles he wrote on Smart Growth and sprawl (first and second) and why he doesn't use either term in describing himself or the Strong Towns movement.

Podcast, Marohn, Top Story, #ChaoticButSmartStrong TownsMay 12, 2016Smart Growth, sprawl

The Media Attacks Urbanism

A recent Newsweek article on urbanism is chock-full of nonsense.

Member Post, HousingMichael LewynMay 12, 2016Joel Kotkin, New Urbanism, suburbs

Strong Towns to Host CNU Next Gen Debates

As part of the 24th Congress for the New Urbanism, Chuck Marohn will host the annual NextGen debate on Friday, June 10, from 8-9:30pm.

CNUStrong TownsMay 12, 2016debate

We just released an ebook about housing policy

We're excited to announce the release of a new Strong Towns ebook about housing policy.

Top StoryStrong TownsMay 12, 2016books, federal housing policy

The Economic Benefits of Biking Cannot Be Ignored

Biking is so often framed as something people do for exercise or leisure, but this data shows biking has value and purpose far beyond that.

Rachel QuednauMay 11, 2016

Conversations on Faith: Sikhs and the City

Neither raw commerce nor government bureaucracies can ever deliver the same quality results as a close-knit subculture. This is quite evident in the community kitchens of the Sikhs.

Faith, Top Story, Sanphillippo, #StrongCitizensJohnny SanphillippoMay 11, 2016Sikh, India, local food

We're planning a Strong Towns Summit and we need your help

We're hoping to convene a Strong Towns Summit later this year and we need your input as we plan that.

Top StoryStrong TownsMay 11, 2016survey

Comeback City: CNU in Detroit

Everybody loves a city that will not stay down. In 2016, that’s Detroit.

4 Easy Steps to Squash the "There's No Parking" Argument

Here is a quick how-to guide for dealing with people who claim your city lacks adequate parking.

Parking, Hood, Urban Design, Top EvergreenNathaniel M. HoodMay 10, 2016resource, how to, St. Paul, urban design, page highlight, parking

Strong Towns Message Shared in Columbus, GA

A recent event in Columbus, GA not only successfully shared the Strong Towns message with the community; it also received a glowing and spot-on write-up in the local paper.

Curbside Chat, Top StoryStrong TownsMay 10, 2016