How should cities and towns adapt in order to thrive in 2021? We asked 9 leading thinkers.
As the year wraps up, Strong Towns is looking ahead to what’s next for cities and towns at such a tumultuous time. It’s been a hard year, but we believe in the power of local advocates to shape the future of their communities for the better, and their dedication gives us hope.
To that end, we asked nine leaders from around the country: “What do you think is the most important adaptation cities and towns will need to undertake in order to thrive in 2021?” These leaders stepped up with wise insights and advice for anyone who wants to make their town stronger in the coming year.
Below, you’ll hear from small-scale developer Joel Dixon, photographer and writer Chris Arnade, downtown nonprofit executive director Talicia Richardson, America Walks executive director Mike McGinn, the team at Urban3, entrepreneur Quint Studer, transportation and equity expert Tamika Butler, church and neighborhood nonprofit founder Sara Joy Proppe, and assistant editor for The American Conservative Addison Del Mastro.
We hope you learn from their ideas and encourage you to share your own response to the question in the comments.
Joel Dixon
Small-scale developer and investor, in Atlanta, GA.
Visit the Urban Oasis Development company website and see Joel in a recent Strong Towns webcast.
“In order to thrive in 2021, cities and towns will need to embrace diversity in housing and commercial building. This means being more innovative in how zoning is applied in order to enable these type of structures. During the ongoing COVID-19 response and even post COVID-19, there will still be a level of uncertainty and permanent "new normal" that will require greater flexibility in how cities and towns are designed and the built environment we're creating.
Exclusionary zoning practices that disproportionately limit a variety of housing and also amplifies costs of development, municipality costs of maintenance and unaffordability for residents will need to be addressed in order for cities and towns to thrive. It's really about building the type of neighborhoods, communities and cities that are livable for real people and adaptable to the pace of change today.”
Chris Arnade
Photographer and writer.
Find his book Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America and hear him on the Strong Towns podcast.
“The biggest addressable issue in many poor neighborhoods is connectivity—both physically via public transportation and digitally via ability to access strong WiFi. The first is pretty clear. The ability to get from A to B without a car is a big deal. Obviously in a time of tight budgets and social distancing during COVID, expanding public transportation is not going to be a high priority. However, when COVID is in the past, increasing bus service, and making it easier to use, should be a continued focus.
The second part, ease of use, is especially important. I try to use public transportation wherever I go, and often the biggest hurdle is getting simple information on times, routes, and cost. Access to good WiFi, and computers to use it, is also big deal, especially as more people are required to learn or work from home. Hot spots like McDonald’s parking lots function partly as that, as do libraries.
Each has its limitations, especially libraries which are being required to act as social services providers in addition to their more traditional roles. Hopefully there could be creative public alternatives like WiFi hot spots in parks, or near city buildings, that people can use, without a lot of red tape, hassle, or rules.
The larger answer that applies to these neighborhoods as well as to entire communities, is the need for locally driven economic growth—a return to having companies with management and ownership who both invest and live locally, and who understand the role of being a good neighbor, not just someone out to make a buck. This is a dream though. I doubt it is something that we can accomplish in 2021 or even by 2030. But I hope we try.”
Talicia Richardson
Executive Director of 64.6 Downtown in Fort Smith, AR.
Learn more about 64.6 Downtown (a nonprofit committed to creating vibrant spaces in downtown Fort Smith) and see Talicia on a recent Strong Towns webcast.
“Push the envelope of innovation! What most of us gained from 2020 is that change is truly inevitable, and our lack of response or delayed response can be to the detriment of our communities. One of the most important adaptations of 2021 is to be willing to listen to the ingenuity of others. However, you must move beyond ideas to allowing the execution of unorthodox methods that do not compromise health and safety of one’s community.
To attain this state, municipalities must be prepared to work to reduce the bureaucracy attached to policy/ordinance/regulation modification. For example, encourage sidewalk dining with business owners by waiving any permitting fees or take at it a step further by closing an under-utilized street to promote a new dining experience and restaurants. In closing, always, always seek youth engagement. They may espouse an untainted narrative of opportunities unrealized.”
Mike McGinn
Executive Director of America Walks and former mayor of Seattle.
Learn more about America Walks (a national nonprofit advocating for safe, equitable, accessible, and enjoyable places to walk and move).
“This pandemic hit hardest on the most economically vulnerable. Therefore every policy and budget choice of cities and towns should ask the question, “Is this helping lift up the people who need it the most?” What I am recommending here is not a specific policy or budget change, but more of a mindset — using a critical lens on existing practices and changing them to meet the moment. Here are some examples of what one might change if one asked that question:
Support housing. Anything that provides shelter, relieves rents, or can bring more infill housing, particularly near jobs and transit, should be encouraged. This is also a two-fer because rehab and construction puts people to work. That will mean looking at zoning, permit processes, excessive parking requirements, and more.
Support transit. Transit funding cratered, but the people who use it need it more than ever. And a robust transit system can reduce transportation expenses for all.
Make your capital dollars create the most jobs. Put your big projects on hold, and funnel the money to granular improvements that require more labor and less big machinery.
Eliminate obstacles to small-scale entrepreneurialism. Your community probably has them - rules that prevent home businesses, renting out spare bedrooms, corner stores in residential neighborhoods, etc. Strip out as many of those bans as you can, and let folks try to generate some income and a little more economic activity.
Streamline permitting, particularly for those without means. It may be legal, but If someone wants to start or expand a business, or build housing, do they have to be well-funded to get through the process? If the answer is yes, then your processes are adding to inequality.
Look at your tax base. Raising taxes in a recession is hard. But can your jurisdiction find revenue for jobs, housing or essential services by collecting revenue from those sectors doing better in the pandemic?
This pandemic has put local jurisdictions in a financial hole, and that hole is even deeper for many families and individuals. It’s crises like these that should cause us to closely examine existing policies with an eye towards boosting the financial stability of the people in your community who need that boost the most.”
The Team at Urban3
A collaborative submission from the Urban3 staff.
Learn more about Urban3 (a data analytics firm helping communities understand their economic stories) and check out the considerable bank of articles, presentations and collaborations between Urban3 and Strong Towns.
“As we always say at Urban3, the most important thing to do is your math. What is your city worth? What are your highest revenue producing properties per acre? How can you duplicate that type of development in your community ASAP? Can you change parking requirements? Can you relax parts of your zoning code? Can you prioritize redevelopment incentive dollars towards the most tax productive properties that cost the least to service?
Don’t let your own fears about needing to balance your budget allow developers to bully you into projects that create more cost than revenue, like greenfield subdivisions riddled with cul-de-sacs on your community’s edges. Be willing to take risks in making policy changes, testing new ideas, failing and trying again. Cities should also put themselves through a fiscal independence stress test. Take your budget and identify all of the external sources of revenue: all the funds you don't produce or control yourself. How well could your community function without state aid or other externally funded services? Rebuild your city (as best you can) with an emphasis on supporting those efforts that create self sustaining revenue streams.”
Quint Studer
Entrepreneur, philanthropist and Strong Towns member in Pensacola, FL.
Learn more about the Studer Community Institute (which works to improve the quality of life for everyone in Pensacola) and read Quint’s regular column on our site.
“Communities have gone through a traumatic experience. Not only have local businesses taken a huge hit, people had to learn to work in a different way, educate their kids in a different way, and cope with social isolation. Everything about our way of life has changed. That’s why I feel the most critical adaptation will be dealing with the “reentry.” Even if a vaccine is available, communities will be coming out of a time of fear, grief, and even anger. People have felt powerless for a long time. A good part of the population will be showing signs of extended stress and, in some cases, trauma.
It’s natural to want to focus on getting local economies and schools back on track, and there may be the expectation that citizens will “just move on.” But trauma takes time to heal. Helping people shore up their mental and emotional health will be a big part of coming back stronger as a community.
Also, some cities will be better positioned than others on the other side. COVID-19 has put a pause on most communities. When the pandemic hit, many cities I work with were in full-blown revitalization mode. For a variety of reasons, these efforts came to a screeching halt. However, some communities have taken the time to assess their situation and have focused on building their Civic IQ. This has produced engaged and educated citizen. They know how to build vibrancy and how to put together an implementation plan. Once the “go” button is pushed they’ll be the ones to thrive.”
Tamika Butler
National expert on the built environment and equity, in Los Angeles, CA.
Visit Tamika’s consulting website.
“In 2021, I hope that all cities and people who love them adapt to make fighting inequities and anti-Blackness a permanent and leading part of their work. I fear that many people will see a new year with promises of new leadership, a vaccine, and the potential of “getting back to normal” as a reason to leave all the race and equity talk in 2020. However, this work is not new, temporary, or a fad. Rather, 2020 just unveiled inequities that have been hiding in plain sight since our country began by stealing land from indigenous people.
I’ve said many times this year that I don’t want to get back to normal because just being better than it is now shouldn’t be enough. As a Black person in this country, I knew that the old normal meant my life was expendable. If cities hope to thrive in 2021, our leaders must realize that those who have historically suffered from oppression, racism and white supremacy—and continue to suffer today—must also thrive. We must continue to center their voices, experiences, and leadership in all that we do. Beyond being performative, 2021 should be a year for lasting, impactful, and authentic action. Above all else for cities to thrive in the new year, we must stop killing Black people.”
Sara Joy Proppe
Founder and Director of Proximity Project and Strong Towns member in St. Paul, MN.
Learn more about Proximity Project (which empowers churches to connect their mission and their story to their physical place in the neighborhood) and check out Sara Joy’s new book Redemptive Placemaking.
“Churches have a lot of land that is often underutilized. COVID-19 has made everyone reconsider the use of space and how we design for adaptability. I've seen churches reevaluate their priorities in terms of their physical space and their mission, and begin to "loosen their grip" on their properties. With this shift in mindset, I think 2021 presents a valuable opportunity for churches to creatively explore how their land and buildings can be adapted to serve the broader neighborhood. We have already seen how some churches have provided outdoor classroom spaces to their communities. I hope that is only the tip of the iceberg. I believe there are more opportunities to provide outdoor work spaces, dog parks, small-business incubators, etc.
Rather than continuing down the path of a scarcity mentality, churches can choose to adopt an abundance mindset that ignites creativity in partnerships and uses for their properties. This will be key for churches who want to succeed in maintaining their property and growing a neighborhood presence in 2021, whether or not we can actively gather in person.”
Addison Del Mastro
Assistant Editor for The American Conservative, in Washington, DC.
“Back when I was going to my office in downtown Washington, D.C., I remember all of the lunch restaurants that closed up around 3pm, and how it was unusual for any restaurant other than a high-end business deal place to be open for dinner. You could walk for quite awhile and not come across any residential buildings. There's nothing unusual about a business district in a city, but I couldn't help thinking the near-complete abandonment of this neighborhood after 5 or 6pm resembled the abandonment of a shopping mall after 9 or 10pm. A single-use urban neighborhood is a little strange, when you think about it.
Something else that comes to mind is going up in Philadelphia's One Liberty observation deck. There's low-rise and mid-rise urban fabric every direction you look—most of it completely unfamiliar to someone who day-trips to Philly or commutes into Center City. All of that—more than the handful of business- and tourism-oriented areas which receive the most attention and investment—is the city.
It may be a very long time before cities see post-COVID traffic and vitality in their tourism and business districts. But most of the people who live in low- or moderate-income neighborhoods aren’t going anywhere. As painful as this crisis has been and will be for cities, perhaps there is a silver lining. Perhaps municipal governments can experience the COVID crisis similar to how how Christians experience Lent or Advent: a time of reflection and self-denial with an eye towards renewal. Perhaps we can get back to what cities really are, rather than what daytrippers and suburban commuters understand them to be. City governments, in other words, will have to reorient their own understanding inward, investing and governing for the people who live there. This can manifest in various ways, but it should be a priority above desperately trying to bring outside traffic back into the single-use business neighborhoods, which take up so little of the land area and house so few of the residents.”
Submissions have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
In honor of the season, here’s a short adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” which illustrates the damage that zombie projects — large, ambitious projects that drag out for years or never get off the ground — can do to a place.