Strong Roads

Wichita is spending $45,000 to repave a road. While that might not seem like a lot, sometimes it’s the small projects that reveal where our city’s spending priorities are—and where they should be.

Infrastructure, Roads and StreetsRussell Arben FoxJune 11, 2020Infrastructure, infrastructure spending, roads

If the revolution came to your town, would people know where to go?

Ongoing demonstrations sparked by the murder of George Floyd have Americans considering as never before the role of our public spaces in movements for social change.

"Bikes Are the New Toilet Paper"

With fewer entertainment options available, Americans are turning to an old friend. They’re opening their wallets too.

Top Story, Horbovetz, BikeabilityArian HorbovetzJune 10, 2020bicycling, coronavirus, Rochester

But Where Will I Park?

We’re pretty hard on parking here at Strong Towns—after all, it’s often a massively wasteful use of space. But what does that vision mean for suburban and rural residents who drive into the city? Where are they supposed to park?

Herriges, Parking, Top Story, TransportationDaniel HerrigesJune 10, 2020Parking, parking pricing, car dependency

Exclusionary Zoning Arguments Haven't Changed in 94 Years

In 1926, activists were using the claim that their cities had enough “zoned capacity” elsewhere to argue against allowing apartment buildings in their own neighborhoods. Today, they still do. And they’re still wrong.

Herriges, Housing, Top Story, ZoningDaniel HerrigesJune 9, 2020zoning, race, Washington DC, Greater Greater Washington

8 Resources to Help Your City Become More Food Resilient

The coronavirus has revealed just how fragile our industrialized and globalized food system always was. It’s time to strengthen our local food economies. These resources can help.

Local Food, Pattison, Top StoryJohn PattisonJune 9, 2020local food, Coronavirus, fragility

Could This Bottom-Up Method to Address the Housing Crisis Work Where You Live Too?

A lot of older folks have more house than they need. A lot of single people need an affordable to live. A Colorado nonprofit is helping solve both these problems at once…but not only these problems.

Quednau, Top StoryRachel QuednauJune 9, 2020seniors, aging in place, housing

Economic Development, Transportation, and More: Claim Your Spot for These Upcoming Free Webcasts

Transportation by and for the people, economic revitalization from the bottom up, and the essential role of small-scale developers—three free webcasts to help put your city on the road to recovery.

Top StoryStrong TownsJune 8, 2020events

6 Reasons Your City Needs a Form-Based Code

Your city's zoning code is like the DNA of your community. For most North American cities, that DNA is broken. Here are six reasons form-based code can help put our towns and cities back together again.

Zoning, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesJune 8, 2020zoning, Smart Growth America, Form-Based Code

Is It Time to Hit the Reset Button on Policing?

Get beyond the headlines and recognize that dismantling a police department does not mean there will be no police.

Marohn, RaceCharles MarohnJune 8, 2020George Floyd, Race, policing

Healing Our Nation Starts at the Community Level

Building communities where people feel safe and loved is the key to moving our nation forward. There is no other option.

Neighborhoods, Studer, Top StoryQuint StuderJune 5, 2020Quint Studer, race, neighborhood

Can a High-Speed Rail Network Electrify the U.S. Economy?

A Massachusetts lawmaker wants to jumpstart the economy with high-speed rail. Could it work—or is this proposal going nowhere fast?

Upzoned, Top Story, Podcast, TransportationStrong TownsJune 4, 2020Podcast, high-speed rail, transportation spending

When Inclusive...Isn't

Why do we see so few people with disabilities in the conceptual designs of engineers and planners? Maybe it’s because people with disabilities aren’t at the design table to begin with.

Top Story, Roads and StreetsSteve WrightJune 4, 2020Disability, Complete Streets, Street Design

What Happens Next is Up To Us

The neighborhoods that are the epicenters of unrest in Minneapolis this week are also places of remarkable compassion, initiative, and a fierce loyalty to community.