3 Lessons for Building a Great Community — from a Very Small Town

We can find practical examples of great communities far away from San Francisco or Copenhagen.

Urban Design, MaitlandAustin MaitlandJanuary 23, 2018rural, traditional development pattern

The Week Ahead: The Difference Between a Street and a Road

Rachel and Chuck discuss an ongoing campaign to #SlowtheCars.

PodcastStrong TownsJanuary 22, 2018the week ahead

One Track Minds

Our collective failure to make the bicycle a viable transportation option for most Americans says more about our confused approach to city management than it does about a movement to rid the world of bike lanes.

Bikeability, Gardner, #SlowtheCarsSpencer GardnerJanuary 22, 2018protected bike lane

Announcing 2 Upcoming Webcasts on Safer, Slower Streets

Join us in February to hear from nationally-recognized walkability expert, Jeff Speck, and president of Strong Towns, Chuck Marohn.

#SlowtheCars, Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 22, 2018

Design Speed is a Value Statement

Choosing a design speed is an application of core values. We shouldn't allow the engineering profession to make this decision for us.

#SlowtheCars, Marohn, Engineering Profession, Top Story, PodcastCharles MarohnJanuary 22, 2018

Top 5 Stories This Week (Jan 15-19, 2018)

This week we talked about why slower, safer streets will make our communities more prosperous.

Strong TownsJanuary 20, 2018post roundup

Making a Historic Village into a Strong Town

Slowing the cars in this historic village will make our community safer and more economically prosperous — for people passing through and people who live here.

Top Story, #SlowtheCarsMaureen MorganJanuary 19, 2018

The Risks and Rewards of Building for People

Roadway changes that give more space to pedestrians, bicyclists, or buses may challenge the status quo, but multimodal communities will be more resilient in the long run.

Bikeability, Top Story, Walkability, #SlowtheCarsLindsay BayleyJanuary 19, 2018children, family

Mont Saint-Michel on the Prairie

The way we finance new developments in suburban communities is one giant Ponzi Scheme, but no one seems to realize how doomed the whole thing is.

Sanphillippo, Top StoryJohnny SanphillippoJanuary 19, 2018suburban experiment

Car-Free and Kid-Friendly in Los Angeles

Prepare to have your stereotypes about Los Angeles destroyed in this lively, engaging conversation with writer and editor, Alissa Walker.

PodcastRachel QuednauJanuary 18, 2018family, children, urbanism, Los Angeles

Is a Zoning Overlay the Magic Wand You've Been Looking For?

Here are 10 tips that will equip you to turn the high-potential neighborhoods in your town into walkable, economically successful places.

Kobos, Walkability, Zoning, Top Story, Taking Action, Planning Profession, #StrongCitizensSarah KobosJanuary 18, 2018resource

Why Walkable Streets are More Economically Productive

3 dollars and cents arguments that definitively prove the need for people-oriented, walk-friendly places.

Quednau, Walkability, #SlowtheCarsRachel QuednauJanuary 18, 2018Economy, stc elected, page highlight, Value Per Acre

Municipal Parking Space Becomes Community Park

City councilor and Strong Towns member Andrew Rodriguez turned his city hall parking spot into a community park in Walnut, CA.

Success Story, Top Story, Parking, Tactical UrbanismRachel QuednauJanuary 17, 2018local government, Parks, inspired

Today is Yesterday’s Tomorrow

Over the last 70 years, our cities and towns have spread out in a way that our forebears never dreamed of, and that future generations will never be able to pay for.

Growth Ponzi Scheme, AkronJason SegedyJanuary 17, 2018suburban experiment, suburbanization, page highlight

Lessons Learned in Meeting the Demand for Family-Friendly Urban Living

The transformation of downtown Vancouver begins to illustrate the potential return for cities that work to make their downtowns conducive for families with kids.

Member Post, Top StoryJennifer GriffinJanuary 17, 2018family, children, Canada, Vancouver BC

The Week Ahead: An Incremental Park Project in Shreveport

Rachel hosts Strong Towns member and guest writer Tim Wright to discuss an incremental park improvement project he's been leading in his town of Shreveport, Louisiana.

PodcastStrong TownsJanuary 16, 2018the week ahead