The "Bikelash" Phenomenon (and Why It Shouldn't Scare Local Leaders)

Some people get up in arms about adding new bike lanes to neighborhoods. So why do the mayors who head these projects so often get reelected?

Upzoned, Podcast, Bikeability, Top StoryStrong TownsNovember 17, 2021Podcast, podcast, Upzoned, bikeability, bikes, bike lanes, local government, member drive

This Is Where the Rubber Meets the Road

The Strong Towns movement is getting traction, in no small part thanks to the 100+ Local Conversations our members are having across North America.

Membership, Top StoryJohn PattisonNovember 17, 2021member drive, membership, local conversations

Find Your Connection in the Strong Towns Movement

You’re not alone in your desire for a safer neighborhood or a city where every family can prosper.

Community, Membership, Top StoryRachel QuednauNovember 17, 2021member drive, membership, community, Community

How Far Would You Go to Make Your Community Safer?

What if you had free rein to do the things you know need to be done to fix your neighborhood street?

#SlowtheCars, Herriges, Membership, Success Story, Taking Action, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesNovember 16, 2021taking action, Hawaii, member drive, member story, membership, success, success stories, #SlowTheCars

This One's For the Doers

We encounter a lot of “doers” in this movement—but there’s more than one way to take a step toward action.

Membership, Taking Action, Quednau, Top StoryRachel QuednauNovember 16, 2021taking action, member drive, membership

"You're Here Because You Know Something"

You’re here because you sensed that something was wrong with North America’s development pattern. So what will it be: red pill or blue pill?

Membership, Pattison, Top StoryJohn PattisonNovember 15, 2021membership, member drive

What Question Brought You to Strong Towns?

Is there a question that brought you to this movement? What answer were you seeking when you first found us?

Membership, Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnNovember 15, 2021member drive, membership

Friday Faves - Your Weekly Strong Towns Roundup

Pop social-scientists, zen habits, and small-scale farming. These are just some of the stories from around the internet that Strong Towns staff were reading and talking about this week.

Friday Faves, Top StoryStrong TownsNovember 12, 2021friday faves

ODOT Needs to Stop the I-5 Bridge Con

Next month, the Portland Metro government is being asked to approve $36 million in additional funds for further planning of a massive freeway project. It should say no.

City Observatory, Environment, Infrastructure, Transportation, #NoNewRoads, Top StoryJoe CortrightNovember 12, 2021DOT, Portland OR, Oregon, transportation, transportation spending, highways, highway spending, freeways, freeway widening, City Observatory, Infrastructure

4 Reality TV Lessons for Your Town

Your small town had a 1 in 5,000 chance to receive a reality TV makeover. What can the other 4,999 learn?

Incrementalism, Pattison, Rural, Top StoryJohn PattisonNovember 12, 2021asset-based community development, rural, small towns, television, Home Town Takeover, HGTV, revitalization, Oswego Renaissance Association

The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Saying "Yes" to Your City

City Councilor and Strong Towns member Mason Thompson is committed to making Bothell, WA, a resilient place to live.

Podcast, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Local Government, Membership, Member Post, Top StoryStrong TownsNovember 11, 2021The Bottom-Up Revolution, taking action, city council, local government

More Highways, More Driving, More Emissions

Fact: New roads always produce new driving. Say hello to “induced demand.”

"Zillow Offers"...Homes to Investors, Not Homeowners

The “Zillow Offers” program was supposed to sell thousands of homes to homeowners and landlords…so why is Zillow now having to offload them onto institutional investors, instead?

Upzoned, Podcast, Housing, Top StoryStrong TownsNovember 10, 2021Podcast, podcast, Upzoned, housing, housing crisis, Housing

The Infrastructure Bill Has Passed. What Now?

We’re skeptical that the bill will address the real and current infrastructure needs in our cities today—but the good news is, you can. And you can get started right now.

#InfrastructureCrisis, Federal Government, Infrastructure, Taking Action, Top StoryStrong TownsNovember 10, 2021Infrastructure, infrastructure bill, infrastructure maintenance, federal government, federal funding, maintenance, Maintenance, how to, taking action

We Need More “Democratic Architecture”

This architect demonstrates how there are so many places ready and waiting to become a part of the housing solution—if we would just allow them.

Housing, Sanphillippo, Member Post, Top StoryJohnny SanphillippoNovember 9, 2021Housing, housing cost, housing affordability, housing crisis, Housing Crisis, Granola Shotgun, architecture, Homeownership, homeownership

Holy Leaping Dollars, Batman!

Unless we start making better accounting choices today, we’ll be facing service cuts and tax increases every year going forward. …That is, until the day we can’t anymore.

Friday Faves - Your Weekly Strong Towns Roundup

Pervasive myths, road tolling, and tour guides. These are just some of the stories from around the internet that Strong Towns staff were reading and talking about this week.

Friday Faves, Top StoryStrong TownsNovember 5, 2021friday faves