The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…a City Council Supporting Parking Reform

In this episode, host Tiffany Owens Reed talks with Council Member Paloma Delgadillo about her efforts to make her city of Broomfield, Colorado, more resilient.

3 Questions To Ask Your Council Member as a Strong Towns Advocate

Conversations with local decision-makers are an essential part of advocating for stronger cities. To make the best use of this sometimes-rare opportunity, you need to know the right questions to ask.

Owens, Top StoryTiffany Owens ReedJuly 16, 2024advocacy, city government, city council, collaboration, communication

A Small Win Is Still a Win

When budget season comes around, it can be hard to feel good about policy wins when there are so many other important causes that are also fighting for funding.

Emma Durand-Wood, Top StoryEmma Durand-WoodMarch 21, 2024local government, city government, city council, budget, street trees

The Bottom-Up Revolution Is...Actively Making a Strong Town

On this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution, we chat with LeVette Fuller about her work in Shreveport, LA, and the new ideas she’s bringing to her city.

Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsAugust 3, 2023The Bottom-Up Revolution, city council, louisiana

Give a Little Grace

Rapid villainization is easy; grace for city staffers and elected officials is the harder path.

Owens, Top StoryTiffany Owens ReedMay 9, 2023city government, local government, city council, advocacy

Walk Into City Hall

City hall is an institution with a diversity of responsibilities serving your community, and in it lies an opportunity to observe how your local city operates and is managed.

Top of the Bottom-Up: Building Gentle Density and a Grassroots Campaign for City Council

Ashley Salvador is a housing advocate and city councilor in Edmonton, Alberta.

Nervous About Speaking in Front of Your Council? Practice!

Join us Wednesday, August 31, for a mock council meeting, in which we’ve asked our Strong Towns Toastmasters members to prepare a persuasive speech or participate as a skeptical council member.

Top StoryNorman Van Eeden PetersmanAugust 29, 2022announcement, city council

Spokane Opens the Door for Middle Housing Expansion

Last week, the city council of Spokane, WA, voted on a truly “bold, transformational package” that will allow for more forms of missing-middle housing and infill development in the city.

San José Joins in the Push To Abolish Parking Minimums

San José adds itself to the list of cities that are doing away with harmful parking minimums!

Keep It Simple, Cities!

So, you want to attend a city council meeting? Good luck getting past all the jargon! Check out these “translations” of a real-life council agenda, and why it’s important to be more transparent with citizens.

I'm Making Real Change in My City

If you ever wanted to REALLY make a change in your town, instead of just starting a fight, consider this your manifesto.

Accidentally On Purpose

Massive property damage and pedestrians being injured (or killed) is our transportation system functioning precisely as designed. This is how it was designed to work.

Top Story, Best of Strong TownsMichel Durand-WoodApril 14, 2022advocacy, canada, city council, community, neighborhoods

Can We Please Stop Fighting About Gardens

In this town where so many people have front-lawn gardens, why is anyone still arguing that they shouldn’t be allowed?

Top StorySeairra JonesMarch 15, 2022gardening, food deserts, local food, community, city council, small towns, illinois

High Value, Chapter 6: Zoning Issues

This week in High Value, Stark unveils the roadblocks the commission will face if they move forward with building a High Value grocery store in the community.