10 Tasks for Cities Responding to the Pandemic

Last week we released Nine Things Local Government Needs to Do Right Now in Response to the Pandemic. Here’s the next step for a strong recovery.

MarohnCharles MarohnMay 11, 2020local government, city government, coronavirus

Three Great Articles for the Moment We're In

The pendulum swing back to localization, the essential work of being a citizen, and learning to see past the false narrative — three must-read articles to better understand our world.

Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnMay 6, 2020coronavirus

Streets Are Arable Lands Lying Fallow

People are driving at half the normal rate. Now’s the time to cultivate new uses for our streets—uses which will help us both now and into the future.

Why Local Banks Are Crucial to Your Community's Coronavirus Recovery

“We often talk about how megabanks are too big to fail. But the bigger problem is that megabanks are too big to succeed at the very things we most need the financial sector to do.”

Herriges, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesMay 4, 2020ILSR, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, banks, coronavirus

9 Things Local Government Needs to Do Right Now in Response to the Pandemic

Here are the immediate steps every community should be taking to respond to the pandemic.

MarohnCharles MarohnMay 4, 2020coronavirus, local government, city government

Special Tax Districts for Development Are a Ticking Fiscal Time Bomb

The special tax districts used to finance suburban expansion have been big trouble in past recessions. They’re worth watching now too.

What COVID-19 Teaches Us About How to Fix Freeways

If we’re willing to learn, this experiment shows us how to fight congestion and get a more efficient transportation system.

Don't Hold Your Breath for a Post-Pandemic "Suburban Renaissance"

Some are saying COVID-19 will lead to a “suburban renaissance.” We’re not buying it. But there are some places that might become more popular in a post-coronavirus future.

Not a Black Swan: Nassim Taleb on What the Coronavirus Teaches Us About Our Institutions

One of the key thought leaders who has inspired the Strong Towns movement has an admonition and a warning for the world—about how our institutions got so fragile in the face of a crisis like the present one.

Herriges, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesApril 27, 2020antifragile, Taleb, coronavirus, decentralization, risk, fragility

This is the End of the Suburban Experiment

Contrary to what has been asserted elsewhere, the suburbs are not about to have a renaissance. In fact, there are many reasons to believe we are nearing the end.

The Demise Of Urban Formality (and Good Riddance)

Maybe now we can drop the pretense: the best cities are informal, spontaneous, imperfect, and often messy.

Horbovetz, Top StoryArian HorbovetzApril 24, 2020home, coronavirus

The Culture of Your Community May Determine Your Success on the Other Side

Even before the country officially reopens, leaders need to be in culture-building mode. Here are 10 tips for creating an engaging and positive culture in your community.

Studer, Top StoryQuint StuderApril 24, 2020coronavirus, leadership

When Will Your City Feel the Fiscal Impact of COVID-19?

Every city will feel the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis. But which cities are likely to feel it worst and longest?

Everybody Loves Local Businesses Now. How Do We Make the Enthusiasm Last?

The coronavirus economy is revealing to us that countless people love and want to support small, local businesses—we just have an economy where we’ve stacked the deck in favor of large chains.

Herriges, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesApril 22, 2020small business, local business, localism, coronavirus

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.