A Trailblazing Reform Supports Small-Scale Development in Memphis

There’s no large city in America that’s doing a better job of pivoting to a Strong Towns approach than Memphis, TN. Here’s why.

One Week Until the Local-Motive Tour Begins!

Our action-focused, online event series kicks off next week. Do you have your tickets yet?

Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 25, 2022announcement, Local-Motive Tour

State and Local Policy Tensions Focus Zoning Reforms

Let’s step back and evaluate the status of some recent, high-profile zoning reforms.

Top StoryTheo Mackey PollackJanuary 25, 2022housing, housing crisis, housing affordability, zoning, upzoning, minnesota, california, oregon

LaVonne, with a Capital "V"

Local business owners don’t just bring monetary wealth to a community; they can also bring a wealth of support and kindness to locals during their times of need.

Jarrett Walker: "Prediction and Freedom Are Opposites"

Special guest Jarrett Walker shares his thoughts on the limitations of prediction.

Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 24, 2022podcast, projections, traffic projections, transit, public transportation, urban planning

Call for Nominations in 7th Annual Strongest Town Contest!

Show the world what makes your city or town great in the 2022 Strongest Town Contest!

Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 24, 2022Strongest Town 2022, announcement, strongest town contest

Financial Meltdown

Let’s explore the idea of inflation being “good.”

Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnJanuary 24, 2022Inflation, macroeconomics, economics, Economy, poverty

Friday Faves - Your Weekly Strong Towns Roundup

The Oakland Buddha, interfaith friendships, and old Old Urbanist posts. These are just some of the stories from around the internet that Strong Towns staff were reading and talking about this week.

Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 21, 2022friday faves

High Value, Chapter 3: Chris Ekte

This week in High Value, we follow Chris Ekte as he deals with headaches at work—including an ominous note about a former employee.

High Value Serial, Top StoryHamilton LudwigJanuary 21, 2022High Value series, series

The Galesburg Papers, Part 1: The Diagnosis

Citizens of Galesburg, IL, are trying to save their public indoor pool and create a new activity complex. City council is sympathetic, but there's just one problem: money.

The Bottom-Up Revolution Is...Collaborating for Neighborhood Revitalization

Gregg Lombardi is helping unite resources, organizations, and legal strategies to support a Kansas City neighborhood.

Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 20, 2022The Bottom-Up Revolution, taking action, crime, neighborhood revitalization, missouri

How Big Is an Incremental Step? Let's #DoTheMath

For our real-estate markets to allow incremental development to be economically viable, there are some challenges we need to confront.

Time for a Little "Self-Gentrification"

“You don’t have to move out of your neighborhood to live in a better one,” says Majora Carter in her new book, Reclaiming Your Community.

Top StoryJay StangeJanuary 20, 2022gentrification, housing, neighborhood revitalization, blight, books, neighborhoods

Weaponizing Historic Preservation

Has historic preservation harmed the capacity for cities across the U.S. to address the housing crisis?

Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 19, 2022podcast, housing, housing crisis, historic preservation, upzoned

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.

Top StoryJohn PattisonJanuary 19, 2022community, community building, bottom-up, how to, taking action

What Would Mass Upzoning *Actually* Do to Property Values?

A common objection to broad upzonings is, “Won't allowing more development everywhere set off speculative feeding frenzies?” The answer? No. Here’s why.