Local governments can’t take on more and more promises without generating enough wealth to meet those obligations—not without a reckoning. We need a radical revolution in how we plan, manage, and inhabit our cities, counties, and neighborhoods. We need a Strong Towns approach.
Read MoreThe most important thing for a local government is to avoid ruin.
Read MoreAkron, Ohio’s subsidies for redevelopment of the failed Rolling Acres mall are a textbook case of the sunk cost fallacy: the tendency to examine new opportunities not on their own merit, but in the context of past investments.
Read MoreCounty leadership continually brags about its low tax rate and high amount of services. But if you doubt the fundamental math behind that equation, there’s no need to look behind the curtain because the ratings agencies have given Cobb top marks.
Read MoreIn 2012, we added our first strategic partners and Strong Towns transitioned from side project to a legitimate organization.
Read MoreIt is the experiences of real people that should guide our planning efforts. Their actions are the data we should be collecting, not their stated preferences.
Read MoreWhen your community is financially fragile, you lose options. In the case of Brainerd, Minnesota, that may mean letting go of a landmark.
Read MoreLet’s stop assuming the motives of individuals, especially when there are other, perfectly rational, universal explanations for why someone would do something we don’t agree with.
Read MoreDo what you can to make yours a strong town, but it’s alright if that means finding a place that is a better fit for you.
Read MoreWe earn the right to do big things by doing the little things well.
Read MoreIf public officials are going to use debt to pay for things, they must be vigilant about their lack of real skin the game.
Read More2010 was a pivotal year for Strong Towns. It’s when we connected with many of the leaders who would inspire this movement deeply.
Read MoreRun your city with business principles, just don’t run it with business values.
Read MoreIt’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.
Read MoreStrong, resilient cities have survived economic crises in the past and will continue to do so in the future. But what about the fragile cities?
Read MoreIf America is going to be a strong country, it must first have strong cities, towns and neighborhoods.
Read MoreThree years ago I made some promises to our audience. Today I affirm them.
Read MoreYou can’t build a space for cars, then claim it is “pedestrian friendly” because of a couple design features.
Read MoreIf you want your community to prosper, stop building new infrastructure.
Read MoreTransit is an essential part of a Strong Towns approach. So is financial solvency. It’s time for public transit advocacy to move past build-it-and-they-will-come.
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