Strong Towns Media

Posts in Member Post

When should the state jump in to address local problems?

When should the state jump in to address local problems?

This is Part 1 in a three-part series about why our cities deserve better than cookie-cutter, state-level land use reforms.

Housing, Member Post, Small Scale Developers, Zoning, GardnerSpencer GardnerSeptember 8, 2020accessory dwelling units, ADUs, zoning, complex systems, cities

My City's Needs Are Growing Faster Than Its Budget. That's Why We Need the Strong Towns Message.

My City's Needs Are Growing Faster Than Its Budget. That's Why We Need the Strong Towns Message.

My bedroom community’s streets are aging, and we recently learned that we need to double our pavement preservation spending to keep them from declining further. Here’s what we’re doing about it—and why the Strong Towns philosophy is instrumental for us.

Member Post, Top StoryRob KarlinseySeptember 12, 2019suburban retrofit, suburbs, Kenmore WA, Seattle, infill, redevelopment, infrastructure maintenance, budget, Strong America Book

My City Has Massive Infrastructure Liabilities. So Do 99% of the Cities in America.

My City Has Massive Infrastructure Liabilities. So Do 99% of the Cities in America.

My hometown of Plano, Texas is the midst of a bubble. Everything seems fine! Taxes are low. The city provides great services. It has an AAA bond rating. The music is still playing, and therefore everyone must remain dancing. But we have a looming problem: staggering long-term infrastructure liabilities that we haven’t even fully accounted for.

Member Post, Growth Ponzi Scheme, #DotheMath, Top StoryAlex ZhangApril 30, 2019Texas

How Do You Get Your Community to Care About the Budget?

How Do You Get Your Community to Care About the Budget?

We want to equip Strong Towns members with the tools to promote real, substantive public conversations about their towns’ financial futures. Here’s how one member is using those tools.

Membership, Member Post, Top StoryMitch FosterNovember 13, 2018member testimonials

What is the future of Iowa's small towns?

What is the future of Iowa's small towns?

To my fellow small town Iowans: stop voting for policies that help you feel good, and start voting for policies that help you live well.

Member Post, Top StoryBruce NesmithJuly 13, 2018rural

Rather than demonizing driving—let’s just stop subsidizing it

Rather than demonizing driving—let’s just stop subsidizing it

A “war on cars” won’t win many hearts and minds. Let’s ask for responsibility instead.

Member PostJoe CortrightJuly 13, 2018cars

In the face of an uncertain future, let's start by tending our own gardens.

In the face of an uncertain future, let's start by tending our own gardens.

The destiny of America is probably set, but that of my community doesn’t have to be.

Member Post, Top Story, #StrongCitizensSteven ShultisJuly 6, 2018resilient

How corporate tax incentives work and why cities spend so much on them

How corporate tax incentives work and why cities spend so much on them

In most cases, it’s people like you and me who get the short end of the stick.

Top Story, Member PostKristen JeffersJune 28, 2018subsidies

What to do about the mess we are in

What to do about the mess we are in

I keep wondering how long the good times are going to last. And after that, what happens?

Member Post, #StrongCitizens, Top StoryMark DawsonJune 25, 2018

What the heck is an "urbanist"?

What the heck is an "urbanist"?

We hear this term a lot, but it’s never clearly defined.

Member Post, Top StoryArian HorbovetzJune 22, 2018urbanism

To Fight our Cities' Financial Struggles, we have to go Beyond the Budget

To Fight our Cities' Financial Struggles, we have to go Beyond the Budget

Our biggest financial problems are not line items in a budget. They are far more systemic.

Growth Ponzi Scheme, Member Post, Top StoryPat TrahanJune 20, 2018suburban experiment

What will become of our empty office towers?

What will become of our empty office towers?

Is there life for vacant downtown office towers beyond the cubicle?

Top Story, Member PostKathy HolwadelJune 15, 2018

Word of mouth, not marketing, creates real growth in our cities

Word of mouth, not marketing, creates real growth in our cities

The worst thing a business of any size can do is alienate their regular patrons by showing favor to new ones. This applies in cities too.

Member Post, Top StoryArian HorbovetzJune 14, 2018revitalization

Avoiding the Urgent in City Planning

Avoiding the Urgent in City Planning

The amount of time our cities spend making rushed decisions is not healthy or productive.

Member Post, Top StoryTim WrightJune 6, 2018

2 Steps to Make Your Town More Welcoming to Local Business

2 Steps to Make Your Town More Welcoming to Local Business

By taking these two simples steps, any town can create a thriving small business community.

Member Post, Top Story, Small Scale DevelopersGrant HenningerJune 5, 2018Entrepreneurship, local business

High Experience, Low Commitment: The Successful Urban Business Model Today

High Experience, Low Commitment: The Successful Urban Business Model Today

Small, scalable businesses are leading urban revitalizations across the country.

Member Post, Top Story, Local FoodArian HorbovetzJune 1, 2018revitalization, downtown, local food

Public Engagement is Broken

Public Engagement is Broken

I have yet to see a public input process that was participatory enough to reflect the desires of a community.

#StrongCitizens, Member PostGrant HenningerMay 30, 2018community engagement, local government

"For the first time in many years, I am optimistic about the future of our community."

"For the first time in many years, I am optimistic about the future of our community."

One Strong Towns member on why he’s part of the movement.

Member Post, Success Story, Top StoryWilliam NeherMay 22, 2018Curbside Chat, impact, praise

Hedging the Housing Crisis

Hedging the Housing Crisis

Could a new type of municipal bond help renters and homeowners find common ground in their housing priorities?

Housing, Top Story, Member PostAdam BergesonMay 18, 2018Housing Crisis, housing market

Big Box Supercenters: Prize or Curse?

Big Box Supercenters: Prize or Curse?

Sure, Wal-Marts bring in some sales tax revenue, but that’s a far lower value to your city than you might think.

Big Box Stores, Member Post, Top StoryBruce NesmithMay 11, 2018