American Cities, Through European Eyes (and Vice Versa)

Seeing your own place through the eyes of an outsider can reveal some uncomfortable—but necessary—truths.

We Cannot Rely on Large-Scale Development

Let’s talk about master developers and how all-at-once, large-scale development doesn’t offer the environment in which resilient economic ecosystems emerge.

You Need to Know About Walla Walla, Washington

This small city in Washington has been quietly making some very big zoning changes…

Upzoned, Podcast, Success Story, Zoning, Top StoryStrong TownsAugust 18, 2021Podcast, Upzoned, zoning, single-family, Washington

The Reconnecting Communities Act: What Was Promised Vs. What's Being Delivered

The $20 billion that was supposed to be dedicated to the Reconnecting Communities Act has been cut down to $1 billion. Naturally, people are disappointed.

Sustainable Source of Income Snatched Away from Seattle's Black Churches

Churches in Seattle could provide affordable housing for their communities, while gaining a sustainable source of income…if they weren’t being obstructed by city leaders.

Upzoned, Podcast, Faith, Housing, Local Government, Top StoryStrong TownsAugust 4, 2021Podcast, Upzoned, housing, housing crisis, churches, Seattle, Faith Featured

Where Should We Be Focusing Climate Change Efforts?

If we continue toward a suburban development pattern, then should we move climate change efforts away from cities and to the suburbs, as well?

COVID Reveals the Unsustainability of Monoculture Downtowns

COVID has changed the way people think about the future of office work. What does this mean for office-heavy downtowns?

Condos: American Local Governance in a Nutshell

The recent tragedy in Surfside, Florida, is both a harbinger of things to come and emblematic of the nation’s larger problem with maintaining our built environment.

Mayors Are Turning Talk into Action On Reparations

When it comes to reparations, mayors are turning their good intentions into action, using tools they already have.

Race, Success Story, Upzoned, Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsJuly 7, 2021Reparations, redlining, Kansas City, success stories, success, Podcast, Upzoned

45,000 Bridges in the U.S. Are 50+ Years Old. And They Are Beginning to Fail.

The recent failure of a Memphis bridge is costing millions every day. And there are 45,000 others like it in the U.S. that could suffer the same fate.

What Comes Next, When the Freeways Are Gone?

The federal government has proposed $20 billion to be allocated toward targeted freeway removal, but will that be enough to fix America’s cities?

Are Self-Driving Cars a Solution Looking for a Problem?

Are automated vehicles a solution looking for a problem—or perhaps the wrong solution for problems (traffic deaths, traffic congestion, etc.) that could be solved in better, easier ways?

Here's What People Are Saying about the Strong Towns Lawsuit

Last week, we announced that Strong Towns has filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota Board of Engineering Licensure. Since then, people around the internet have been discussing the case and its implications for advocacy.

Parking Requirements: Cheaper Driving for Costlier Development

In order to make space for cars when they’re not in motion, we’ve driven the costs of development up. And it’s often tenants and consumers who end up paying for it.