The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Improving Food Access Through Mobile Markets

Strong Towns member Nathan Chung and farmer Ryan Karb are helping bring fresh local food for sale to neighborhoods that don’t have much access to it.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Membership, Local Food, Top StoryStrong TownsJune 10, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, food deserts, Farming, farmer's market, taking action

This is "The Year of Action." What Does Action Even Look Like?

Putting the Strong Towns approach into action in your community can seem intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Here's some examples that show the power of little bets and small steps.

Membership, Taking Action, Top StoryStrong TownsJune 8, 2021membership, member drive, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Composting for Community

Sophia Hosain leads community composting programs to help strengthen local economies and food systems.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Top StoryStrong TownsJune 3, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, gardening, community gardens, Baltimore, taking action

Ask Strong Towns: Have Your Question Featured on the Strong Towns Podcast

Do you have a question about how to apply the Strong Towns approach to your city? The Strong Towns community wants to weigh in.

Action Lab, Taking Action, Announcement, Top StoryStrong TownsJune 2, 2021Action Lab, announcement, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Creating a Coffee Shop for the Whole Neighborhood

Coté Soeren’s “Resistencia” coffee shop in Seattle is a space for community connection and support, not gentrification.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Neighborhoods, Top StoryStrong TownsMay 27, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, neighborhood, neighborhood revitalization, Seattle, coffee shops, gentrification, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Empowering Young People to Rebuild Homes

In Birmingham, AL, a unique high school program trains teens in home renovation and building skills, while revitalizing their neighborhood in the process. Jeanyll Morris shares her experience helping lead the program.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Neighborhoods, Housing, Schools, Top StoryStrong TownsMay 20, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, neighborhood, alabama, education, children, neighborhood revitalization, revitalization, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Starting a Community Laundry Co-op

Marilyn Burns and Leah Ross saw a need in their community for greater laundry access, so they got together with neighbors to make it happen.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Neighborhoods, Top StoryStrong TownsMay 13, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, neighborhood, Cleveland, cooperatives, community, taking action

Put Your Town on the Map

You're surrounded by more Strong Towns advocates than you might realize. Here's a simple, 3-step plan for how to connect with them.

Action Lab, Community, Pattison, Taking Action, Top StoryJohn PattisonMay 11, 2021community building, community development, local conversations, advocacy, taking action, Action Lab, how to

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Promoting More Housing, More Options, More Access

These Strong Towns members are helping build homes for those that need them and advocating for more flexible housing policy in Texas.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Member Post, Housing, Top StoryStrong TownsMay 6, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, housing policy, Texas, member story, taking action

5 Places to Meet New People to Join the Strong Towns Conversation

A friendly guide for making friends and starting Strong Towns conversations in your neighborhood.

Community, Taking Action, Top Story, FisherLauren FisherApril 30, 2021community, community building, community engagement, Strong Towns Community, local conversations, how to

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Shifting Perceptions About a Rust Belt City

Mayor Chris Frye is bringing optimism and economic resilience to New Castle, PA.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Top StoryStrong TownsApril 29, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, Pennsylvania, local government, revitalization, taking action

How to Build a More Resilient Local Food System

These 4 steps will put your city or town on the path toward greater resilience and sovereignty.

Community, Local Food, Quednau, Strategies, Taking Action, Top StoryRachel QuednauApril 27, 2021farmer's market, local food, resilience, how to, taking action

Alex Alsup: Keeping People in Their Homes in Detroit

Detroit today, your town tomorrow. Here’s how we can help keep homes out of foreclosure and residents from being evicted.

Community, Housing, Podcast, Success Story, Taking Action, Top StoryStrong TownsApril 26, 2021Detroit, housing, housing crisis, housing cost, community, success stories

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... A Roving Listener

De’Amon Harges uses deep listening and asset-based community development to strengthen neighborhoods and cities.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Top StoryStrong TownsApril 22, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, community, Indianapolis, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Building a Cohousing Community

Lisa Leslie joined with her neighbors to help found an intentional community where families live near one another and share life together.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Housing, Top StoryStrong TownsApril 15, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, community, neighborhood, Co-housing, cooperatives, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Bridging the Wealth Gap Through Intentional Investment

This Houston-based real estate professional and urban planner is helping build community wealth through financially strong housing and development practices.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Housing, Small Scale Developers, Top StoryStrong TownsApril 8, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, real estate, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Architects and Planners in Pursuit of a Stronger Town

Strong Towns member Michael Smith and colleague Aaron Holverson are working to make Rockford, IL a more economically resilient place.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Community, Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 25, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, New York State, West Virginia, community development, Historic Preservation, historic preservation, Rockford, architecture, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Supporting and Developing Rural Leaders

At the West Virginia Community Development Hub, these two women are helping local leaders grow and thrive, building a better future for their communities.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Community, Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 18, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, West Virginia, community development, rural, leadership, community engagement, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Reactivating a Historic Space for the Whole Community

Alex Rodriguez and Danny Lapin are incrementally revitalizing a historic space for entrepreneurs, artists and community members in rural Lexington, NY.

Podcast, Taking Action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Member Post, Community, Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 11, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, planning profession, revitalization, historic preservation, New York State, member story, taking action

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... People-Centered Urban Planning

Through concerted and creative efforts to know their neighbors, listen to resident concerns and educate people on the city’s trajectory, these planning professionals are going against the grain and fighting for the city they love.