Does a Thrift Store Really Need a 40-Page Zoning Decision?

This document shows just how much our arcane land-use regulations prohibit neighborhoods from developing organically and un-self-consciously.

Zoning, Planning Profession, Top StoryAddison Del MastroMarch 15, 2022NIMBY, zoning, big box stores, business, local business, Addison Del Mastro, planning process, urban planning, Maryland

Gone with the Wind

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller is doing what she can to improve her neighborhood—even if Montana’s weather doesn’t want to cooperate.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Theilen, Top StoryKarla TheilenMarch 15, 2022neighborhood storyteller, montana, placemaking, creative placemaking, neighborliness

Triple Threat: National Experts Destroy “Reckless Driving” Narrative

Jessie Singer, Jason Slaughter, and Chuck Marohn join together in this must-listen episode of The Politics of Everything to explain why people keep dying on our roads.

#SlowtheCars, Podcast, Transportation, Top StoryLauren FisherMarch 14, 2022Podcast, podcast, guest podcast, traffic engineering, Pedestrian Safety, pedestrian safety, Safety, safety, #SlowTheCars, transportation

Strongest Town 2022, Round 2: Taylor, TX vs. Norwood, OH

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 3 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strongest Town ContestStrong TownsMarch 14, 2022Strongest Town Competition, Strongest Town 2022

Strongest Town 2022, Round 2: Jasper, IN vs. Champaign, IL

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 3 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strongest Town ContestStrong TownsMarch 14, 2022Strongest Town Competition, Strongest Town 2022

Strongest Town 2022, Round 2: Durango, CO vs. White Salmon, WA

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 3 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strongest Town ContestStrong TownsMarch 14, 2022Strongest Town Competition, Strongest Town 2022

Strongest Town 2022, Round 2: Frankfort, KY vs. Yellow Springs, OH

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 3 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strongest Town ContestStrong TownsMarch 14, 2022Strongest Town Competition, Strongest Town 2022

Polls Are Open: Let’s Choose Our Final Four

It’s Round 2 of the Strongest Town Contest! Who will advance to the Final Four?

Strongest Town ContestStrong TownsMarch 14, 2022Strongest Town Competition, Strongest Town 2022

Luke Crosswalker: Tactical Urbanist

When people were speeding at a neighborhood crosswalk, this neon hero stepped in to #SlowTheCars and protect local children on their way to school.

#SlowtheCars, Tactical Urbanism, Top StoryDanielle RichardMarch 11, 2022schools, Pedestrian Safety, pedestrian safety, Safety, pedestrians, pedestrian crossing, #PedestrianUnfriendly, #SlowTheCars, tactical urbanism, Tactical Urbanism, children, traffic engineering

Recovery Playbook: Back to Downtown & Main Street

This guide will take you through short-term and long-term strategies for downtown and Main Street recovery in the wake (and midst) of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus, Economic Development, Strategies, Top StoryJonathan BerkMarch 11, 2022coronavirus, placemaking, creative placemaking, downtown, main street, Traditional Main Street, urbanism, revitalization, how to, economic development, Economic Development

The Bottom-Up Revolution Is... A Special Update Episode

Wondering what our past podcast guests are up to? We checked in with four of them to hear about their progress.

Podcast, The Bottom-Up Revolution, Success Story, Taking Action, Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 10, 2022taking action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, incrementalism, success, success stories, Podcast, podcast

Copy What You Know Works

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to create places that aren’t bad—and that should be the first and foremost goal for a city.

#PlaceIDontWanttoSit, Herriges, Urban Design, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesMarch 10, 2022placemaking, public space, urban design, design, greenspace, public engagement

Can a Houstonian Approach to Homelessness Work in L.A.?

L.A. is facing an increasing problem with homelessness. Can it learn something from the efforts of another large Sunbelt city?

Upzoned, Podcast, Housing, Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 9, 2022Podcast, podcast, Upzoned, homelessness, Homelessness, Homeownership, Los Angeles, Houston, California, Texas, housing, Housing, housing crisis, Housing Crisis

Freeway Widening for Whomst?

Widening freeways is no way to promote equity.

The Pedalling Pastor

This bicycling pastor’s new book offers valuable advice for any Strong Towns advocate—religious or otherwise.

Bikeability, Stange, Top StoryJay StangeMarch 9, 2022biking, bikes, bikeability, bicycling, Faith Featured, faith communities, human scale, walkability, transportation, active transportation, car-lite

Taking a Magnifying Glass to Property Tax Inequities

What is the real reason behind our striking property tax disparities?

Sheppard, Finance, Top Story, Transparent AccountingSeairra SheppardMarch 8, 2022Just Accounting for Health, Urban3, property tax, Homeownership, homeownership, Assessments, finance, public finance

Not Just Bikes: Where We've Been Living This Whole Time (New Video)

Two of our favorite storytellers—Urban3 and Not Just Bikes—come together in this awesome video.

Urban3, Video, Top StoryJohn PattisonMarch 8, 2022Not Just Bikes, Urban3, Value Per Acre, maps, finance, resilience

Sew Much to Learn

This community ed teacher shares an important lesson about iterating to success: starting with something imperfect now and working your way toward perfection.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Theilen, Community, Top StoryKarla TheilenMarch 8, 2022neighborhood storyteller, community, montana, arts, neighborliness

“How Can My Town *Not* Be Wealthy When There’s Been So Much Growth?”

Let's talk about some core Strong Towns concepts: complexity, incrementalism, fragility, and more!

Podcast, Marohn, ST Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 7, 2022Podcast, strong towns approach, incrementalism, fragility, complexity, Complexity, complex systems, incremental growth, incremental, incremental development

The Reckless Driver Narrative Is Reckless. Stop Spreading It.

If we want safe and productive streets, we have to focus on the deadly design of our public spaces and not be distracted by the scapegoating narrative of the “reckless driver.”

Marohn, Transportation, Top StoryCharles MarohnMarch 7, 2022traffic congestion, traffic engineering, Pedestrian Safety, pedestrian safety, pedestrians, #PedestrianUnfriendly, Safety, safety, public safety, Public Safety, transportation

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