The Struggle for a Stronger Shreveport
Strong Towns president Charles Marohn is heading to Shreveport, Louisiana tomorrow to give the Neighborhoods First presentation. We’ve visited and written a lot about Shreveport over the last few years. There a couple reasons why:
Because Shreveport is a city that has suffered dramatic harm from decades of a failed approach to development, and is at risk of further harm from one of the most misguided top-down infrastructure projects happening anywhere in America today (the I-49 connector project).
Because there are so many amazing Strong Citizens in Shreveport advocating heroically for a different way.
In both cases, we think Shreveport has important lessons to teach us all.
Below is some of our most important Shreveport-inspired content we’ve published. Even if you can’t make it to tomorrow’s event, we encourage you to better understand what is happening in that great city. There is a struggle underway in Shreveport, one that has profound implications for the city’s future. What can your own town or city learn from Shreveport’s example?
I-49 Connector. Image source.
1. The Economics of the I-49 Connector in Shreveport (Three-Part Series)
by Charles Marohn
Leaders in Shreveport, Louisiana want to construct a new highway right through the heart of their city. And the economic arguments they're using to justify it are completely bogus.
2. The Zombie Freeway Project in Shreveport That Won’t Die
by Daniel Herriges
There’s every reason not to build a freeway through a poor, mostly-black neighborhood in Shreveport, Louisiana. So why is the state government taking money away from needed maintenance to push this bad project forward? A follow-up to the three-part series above.
3. Shreveport’s Highway Emperors’ New Clothes
by Kim Mitchell
Deeply held beliefs, supported by flawed assumptions, blind us to realities and facts. The supposed wealth and prosperity generated by cut-through urban highways was always an illusion—but who will dare to point out the obvious truth?
4. When Is It Okay to Annex Property?
by Charles Marohn
It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Shreveport could do an annexation that benefits the city, its residents and its businesses over the long term.
5. Something Better than Utopia
by LeVette Fuller
The story of Shreveport is one of small steps leading to big payoffs, especially in building community.
6. Content Featuring Shreveport’s Strong Citizens
Re-Form Shreveport: A Local Group Inspired by Strong Towns Principles, by Strong Towns, by Strong Towns
A Different World, by Tim Wright
On Becoming a Strong Citizen of Shreveport, by John Perkins
A Community Activist Fighting an Inner-City Highway, by Rachel Quednau
You can find more articles about and inspired by Shreveport here.
Top photo via Wikimedia Commons.