Top 5 Stories This Week (March 26-30, 2018)

This week we debunked some common myths about housing preferences, public transit, new developments and more.

Strong TownsMarch 31, 2018post roundup

Announcing the winner of our 2018 Strongest Town Contest

Here is this year's Strongest Town...

Strongest Town Contest, Top Story, Success StoryStrong TownsMarch 30, 2018Updates, winner, Strongest Town Winner, Muskegon

Doing The Math: Replacing A Historic Home With Parking

My city wants to bulldoze a historic home for more parking. I did the math on what that would actually cost and how much it would really benefit us.

Parking, Top Story, Member PostBrad O'DonnellMarch 30, 2018

Suburban Redevelopment Requires Patience, Engagement and a Positive Attitude

We called out a suburban retrofit project on Facebook. Here's how the developer responded.

PodcastRachel QuednauMarch 29, 2018suburban retrofit

What another city's streets can tell you about your own

Take the time to think through what you like and don't like about a given city's streets and you just might learn something.

Roads and Streets, Top Story, Urban Design, TransportationBryan JonesMarch 29, 2018Street Design

Give the People What They Want

What you think you know about public preference (for a certain style of home, neighborhood, etc.) is all wrong.

When Your Transit Isn't Meant to be Transit

Why would this city invest in such an unnecessary transit project? Because it is not a transit investment at all.

Transportation, Urban Design, Top Story, Public TransitGeorge ZhouMarch 28, 2018St. Louis, public transportation, Light Rail

What the Craft Brewing Boom can Teach Other Local Industries: Part 2

The elements that have made craft breweries successful in American small towns could also spell good news for other industries.

Member Post, Top Story, Local FoodMarty WalshMarch 28, 2018local economy, local food, local business

In Washington DC, Gentrification may also mean Integration

Gentrification is producing more diverse schools and growing enrollment in Washington, DC.

Schools, Top StoryJoe CortrightMarch 27, 2018Washington DC

What the Craft Brewing Boom can Teach Other Local Industries: Part 1

How did beer turn the consolidation ship around and what can we learn from craft brewing's success?

Member Post, Local FoodMarty WalshMarch 27, 2018local food, local economy, local business, page highlight

Monorail: A Key Urban Lesson from The Simpsons

Don't let your town be lured in by the big, shiny project. Focus on practical investments you can make to improve your community for the long haul.

Member Post, Top Story, Public TransitArian HorbovetzMarch 27, 2018public transportation

Watch and Vote in the Strongest Town Contest Championship Here

Two teams compete for the title of strongest. Which will get your vote?

Strongest Town Contest, Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 26, 2018championship, Muskegon

How much, exactly, is good design worth?

The auto-oriented development pattern is an approach with limited financial upside and lots of downside. How much better does traditional development perform?

#DotheMath, Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnMarch 26, 2018traditional development pattern, auto-oriented

Top 5 Stories This Week (March 19-23, 2018)

This week we talked about how to design and build cities that work for everyone.

Strong TownsMarch 24, 2018post roundup

A Very Unusual Dinner Party

So often, what we call “conversation” is simply each person waiting for their turn to speak rather than truly taking in what is being said.

Quednau, Top Story, FaithRachel QuednauMarch 23, 2018faith communities, politics

Who's going to the championship in the Strongest Town Contest?

Drum roll please...

Strongest Town ContestStrong TownsMarch 23, 2018Updates

A Vision for Vacant Properties

Using “urban acupuncture,” we acquire the worst vacant house on each block and renovate it.

Housing, Small Scale Developers, Top StoryGill HollandMarch 23, 2018poverty

Introducing a New Monthly Webcast: Ask Strong Towns

Strong Towns members can get their burning questions answered via a new webcast series.

Top StoryKea WilsonMarch 22, 2018

Shovel Ready

The rise of technology is slowly emptying out our malls and business parks. They could be put to better use... if we actually wanted to solve the problem.

Sanphillippo, Top Story, Growth Ponzi SchemeJohnny SanphillippoMarch 22, 2018suburbs, suburbanization