A neighborhood is an ecosystem, a quirky human habitat, and when it’s been damaged by generations of neglect, it probably needs help that has nothing to do with repairing roofs and bringing wiring up to code.

Kobos, Neighborhoods First, Small Scale Developers, #StrongCitizens, Success StorySarah KobosApril 13, 2017neighborhood, revitalization, page highlight

New Milwaukee Housing Program Takes the Easy Route

A new housing program in Milwaukee, WI tries to get foreclosed homes quickly rehabbed—and loses something in the process.

Top Story, Quednau, Housing, Small Scale DevelopersRachel QuednauJanuary 20, 2017poverty

Doing What Actually Works

Last year I engaged in a failed attempt to renovate an old house in Ohio. It ended badly. So I thought I’d do a follow-up on what actually does work given the legal parameters and cultural context.

Sanphillippo, Small Scale Developers, Top Story, HousingJohnny SanphillippoJanuary 11, 2017

Lessons Learned

Last year I bought a $15,000 uninhabitable shack in Cincinnati, Ohio, hoping to renovate it into a nice two-story duplex for renters. Here's what went wrong.

Small Scale Developers, Sanphillippo, Housing, Top EvergreenJohnny SanphillippoNovember 9, 2016Ohio, Strong Citizenship, housing, Economic Development

POTUS: Zoning Sucks

The White House takes aim at some of the our cities' worst development practices.

Housing, Marohn, Small Scale Developers, Zoning, ParkingCharles MarohnSeptember 27, 2016White House, parking, parking minimums, affordable housing, housing market, federal housing policy, page highlight, accessory dwelling units

The $50,000 San Francisco Home

Breaking down the numbers to construct a truly affordable housing model.

Housing, Member Post, Small Scale Developers, Top Story, Urban DesignNathan LewisSeptember 26, 2016San Francisco, affordable housing

3 Small-Scale Developer Stories to Inspire You

Yes you can become a small-scale developer. Here are three stories of everyday people who took the leap.

Top Story, Small Scale DevelopersRachel QuednauSeptember 23, 2016

You're an urbanist? Excellent. Why aren't you a developer yet?

I am serious about recruiting architects, planners, engineers, activists who consider themselves to be urbanists (new or otherwise) into the ranks of the small developer cohort because I think it is the best way for an urbanist to have an impact in a place they care about.

Engineering Profession, Planning Profession, Small Scale Developers, Top Story, IDAR. John AndersonSeptember 8, 2016page highlight

Momentum for Change in Rockford

Even in a struggling town, there is huge momentum to make it stronger. Here are three stories that gave me hope during a recent Strong Towns event in Rockford.

#StrongCitizens, Walkability, Top Story, Urban Design, Success Story, Small Scale Developers, Quednau, BikeabilityRachel QuednauAugust 31, 2016Rockford, CitySmiths, bike lanes, small scale developers, events

The Doughnut of Despair? Not Quite

Do we want to make life easy on the experts, or make Detroit a better place that can also pay its bills?

#StrongCitizens, CNU, Finance, Housing, Neighborhood Design, Planning Profession, Sanphillippo, Small Scale Developers, Top Story, Urban DesignJohnny SanphillippoJune 29, 2016Detroit, poverty, rural, federal housing policy

Affordable Housing That Might Have Been

My attempts to build a tiny home have been thwarted by a hostile regulatory environment at every turn. So here's what I did instead.

Small Scale Developers, Sanphillippo, HousingJohnny SanphillippoJune 16, 2016Tiny House, affordable housing, California, page highlight, accessory dwelling units

Transform Your Neighborhood Through Cooperative Investment

Combining the small-scale developer model with the co-op model, the Northeast Investment Cooperative brings neighbors together to collectively invest in local properties for as little as $1,000 per person.

#StrongCitizens, Quednau, Small Scale Developers, Top Story, Success Story, Local FoodRachel QuednauJune 13, 2016Minneapolis, local business, local food, page highlight

John Anderson at CNU24

R. John Anderson talks about the growth of the small-scale developer movement, recent bootcamps hosted by his organization, the Incremental Development Alliance, and the value of small-scale projects.

Top Story, Podcast, IDA, CNU, Small Scale DevelopersStrong TownsJune 10, 2016John Anderson, Incremental Development Alliance, cnu24

Historic Buildings Get Newer, Greener Lease on Life

Peggy and Tom Brennan recently renovated and opened two unique buildings in downtown Detroit: the Green Garage, a business incubator and coworking space, and El Moore, a residential apartment building and urban lodge.

Top Story, Small Scale Developers, Quednau, Housing, CNU, #StrongCitizensRachel QuednauJune 8, 2016Detroit

Better towns through stress

Here are 4 different types of stress that can help our cities become strong towns.

Leah Calgaro renovates a historic, mixed-use downtown building

Leah Calgaro is a lifelong resident of the Iron Range. She chose a unique path for a young person and recently purchased a mixed-use building in downtown Virginia, MN. She is living in the upstairs while renovating the other floors. This is her story.

Top Story, Small Scale Developers, Quednau, Iron Range, #StrongCitizensRachel QuednauMay 20, 2016Minnesota, profile, incremental development, mixed use

Comeback City: CNU in Detroit

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

Urban Design, Top Story, Planning Profession, Small Scale Developers, CNURobert SteutevilleMay 11, 2016Detroit, Rob Steuteville, Quicken Loans, suburban experiment

Parking vs. the Walkable Building

If we want incremental development that creates walkable places, while building local wealth and improving traditional neighborhoods, we need to make sure our zoning codes enable that vision.

Kobos, Small Scale Developers, Zoning, #DotheMathSarah KobosMay 5, 2016Jane Jacobs, Incremental Development Alliance, parking

One House at a Time on St. Paul's East Side

One historic home at a time, St. Paul, MN is demonstrating how a critical mass of Strong Citizens can be an incredible asset to a troubled area, and how local government can play a constructive role in the incremental revitalization of such an area.