We Are Not Just Economic Creatures: Dave Kresta’s Vision of Economic Development

How do we build vibrant local economies that are good for the people who actually live in a neighborhood?

Community, Economic Development, Faith, Pattison, Top StoryJohn PattisonFebruary 2, 2022Faith Featured, faith communities, economic development, Economic Development, community, Community

Little Worlds

What do fractals have to do with building strong towns? A lot more than you might assume.

Community, Pattison, Taking Action, Top StoryJohn PattisonJanuary 26, 2022small bets, strong towns approach, taking action, local conversations, community, Community

Start With What You Know. Build on What You Have.

This simple, fun workshop will help your community discover just how many assets it has to work with.

Community, Pattison, Taking Action, Top StoryJohn PattisonJanuary 19, 2022community, Community, community building, bottom-up, how to, taking action

Building Something from Nothing in Utica

This grassroots organization has taken it into their own hands to activate and revitalize their community in Utica, NY.

Community, Public Space, Top StoryArian HorbovetzJanuary 17, 2022New York, bottom-up, community, community development, pop-up, placemaking, revitalization, public space

Placemaking with Places of Worship

Both urban and suburban places of worship have opportunities to stir the recovery of social gathering places in our communities. Here’s how.

Faith, Community, Public Space, Top StorySara Joy ProppeJanuary 13, 2022faith communities, Faith Featured, churches, Sara Joy Proppe, public space, placemaking, creative placemaking

Cultivating Community Beyond Church Walls in Indianapolis

This congregation launched a non-profit organization to help its neighbors—not as an act of benevolence for them, but in solidarity with them.

Tim Soerens: Reconnecting Churches with Their Neighborhoods

In 2022’s inaugural Strong Towns Podcast episode, Chuck interviews Tim Soerens, author and co-founder of the Parish Collective.

Community, Faith, Neighborhoods, ST Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 3, 2022faith communities, Faith Featured, churches, Podcast, podcast, neighborhood, Neighborhoods, community building

The Typewriter Mailbox: Small Ways to Bring Joy to a Neighborhood

This house came with a unique instruction: “Change the mailbox message every week, or people will get upset.”

Community, Neighborhoods, Top StoryKarla TheilenDecember 10, 2021neighborliness, neighborhood, Neighborhoods, community, Community, montana

An Ode to Pets in Windows

The pets of this neighborhood brought their humans closer together.

Community, Neighborhoods, Top StorySara FalligantDecember 9, 2021pets, neighborliness, neighborhood, Neighborhoods, community, Community

Say Hello Like You’re Saying Goodbye

Why it’s important that we connect with members of our community sooner rather than later.

Community, Top StoryGenevieve BarberDecember 6, 2021community, community building, neighborliness, neighborhood, Neighborhoods, Georgia

The Promise of "House of Worship Districts"

In some places, houses of worship have formed interfaith coalitions, and do valuable work on social justice issues—but what if they also addressed issues of economics and place?

Community, Faith, Top StoryRick Reinhard & Dr. Chris ElisaraDecember 2, 2021Faith Featured, faith communities, Religion, religion, churches, community, Community

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

Living Like a Tourist

Perhaps people move so often around the U.S. because it’s hard to get attached to all the “non-places” we have. But setting downs roots is exactly what we need to build stronger towns.

Community, Top StoryJoey HilesOctober 12, 2021community, community engagement, community building, suburbs

A How-To Guide for Better Community Engagement

True community engagement is not just about listening. It’s about building understanding.

Community, Action Lab, Engagement, Quednau, Top StoryRachel QuednauSeptember 14, 2021community, Community, community engagement, communication, community building, how to, Action Lab

Lessons from Mount Morris

In a world of real estate investors seeking quick profits, we need more people like Greg O'Connell.

Community, Economic Development, Small Scale Developers, Success Story, Top StoryJonah RichardSeptember 14, 2021success, success stories, downtown, community development, community, developers, New York

What To Do When Your City Won't Listen to Reason

When you’re a change-maker, there’ll be times when you’ll feel like you’re losing your mojo. Here’s how to get back on your feet to keep making your city or town a stronger place.