Strong Towns Media

The Reckless Driver Narrative Is Reckless. Stop Spreading It.

The Reckless Driver Narrative Is Reckless. Stop Spreading It.

If we want safe and productive streets, we have to focus on the deadly design of our public spaces and not be distracted by the scapegoating narrative of the “reckless driver.”

Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnMarch 7, 2022traffic congestion, traffic engineering, pedestrians, safety, public safety, transportation

Red Light, Green Light, No Insight

Red Light, Green Light, No Insight

When we hand our whole transportation system to engineers, we shouldn’t be surprised that the values of their profession override the values of the public. It’s time for a new paradigm.

Top StoryMichel Durand-WoodMarch 4, 2022transportation, public transportation, engineers, traffic engineering, canada, safe and productive streets, confessions of a recovering engineer

Here is Your 2022 Strongest Town Contest Elite Eight

Here is Your 2022 Strongest Town Contest Elite Eight

Results of Round 1 of the Strongest Town competition…and a look ahead to Round 2.

Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 4, 2022Strongest Town 2022, strongest town contest

The Bottom-Up Revolution Is...Using Communicative Planning

The Bottom-Up Revolution Is...Using Communicative Planning

Shelley Denison is a city planner in Sandy, OR, who views planning as a relationship between residents and leaders.

Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 3, 2022taking action, The Bottom-Up Revolution, missing middle, urban planning

CityNerd Runs Down America's Most Humongous Parking Lots

CityNerd Runs Down America's Most Humongous Parking Lots

“There may be no greater indication of car dependency in the United States than the sheer number of massive parking craters that litter our cities,” says this YouTuber.

Top StoryJay StangeMarch 3, 2022parking minimums, urbanism, end parking mandates and subsidies

Less Than 24 Hours To Vote in the 2022 Strongest Town Contest SWEET SIXTEEN

Less Than 24 Hours To Vote in the 2022 Strongest Town Contest SWEET SIXTEEN

Get your vote in today for your favorite town!

Top StoryStrong TownsMarch 2, 2022Strongest Town 2022, strongest town contest

What Have Cities *Actually* Accomplished in the Past 100 Years?

What Have Cities *Actually* Accomplished in the Past 100 Years?

The modern conceit is that we are far more advanced than the people of past generations—but how do our cities really stack up against those of the past?

Top StoryKevin KlinkenbergMarch 2, 2022history, urban planning, urban design, missouri, zoning

Corner Liquor Stores vs. Fancy Shopping Malls

Corner Liquor Stores vs. Fancy Shopping Malls

Let’s #DoTheMath on some public infrastructure in Providence, RI.

Top StorySeth ZerenMarch 2, 2022suburban experiment, infrastructure, public finance, value per acre, transparent local accounting

"We Require WAY Too Much Parking"

"We Require WAY Too Much Parking"

This Strong Towns member saw a huge problem with the parking minimums in his city—and decided to do something about it.

Top StorySeairra JonesMarch 1, 2022member story, advocacy, taking action, parking minimums, biking, bicycling, bikes, bikeability, bike lanes, minimum parking requirements, success stories, end parking mandates and subsidies, california

Would Tax Abatements Spur More ADU Construction in Anchorage?

Would Tax Abatements Spur More ADU Construction in Anchorage?

Like so many other cities, Anchorage needs to encourage more options for housing. But how?

Top StoryMikhail SiskoffMarch 1, 2022housing, housing crisis, housing policy, zoning, alaska, accessory dwelling unit

I Found My People...in a Completely Different Town

I Found My People...in a Completely Different Town

When a community is strong, it can make even an “outsider” feel welcome.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Top StoryKarla TheilenMarch 1, 2022neighborhood storyteller, community, hospitals, hospitality, small towns, montana

Annamarie Pluhar: Shared Housing Doesn't Have to Be Scary

Annamarie Pluhar: Shared Housing Doesn't Have to Be Scary

It’s time we embraced co-housing as a viable solution for both affordable housing and social isolation.

Podcast, Marohn, Top StoryStrong TownsFebruary 28, 2022housing, housing crisis, co-housing, podcast

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: University Place, WA vs. White Salmon, WA

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: University Place, WA vs. White Salmon, WA

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 2 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strong TownsFebruary 28, 2022White Salmon WA, University Place WA, Strongest Town 2022, strongest town contest

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Chauncey, OH vs. Norwood, OH

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Chauncey, OH vs. Norwood, OH

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 2 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strong TownsFebruary 28, 2022Strongest Town 2022, Chauncey OH, Norwood OH, strongest town contest

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Durango, CO vs. Santa Clara, CA

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Durango, CO vs. Santa Clara, CA

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 2 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strong TownsFebruary 28, 2022Strongest Town 2022, strongest town contest, colorado, california

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Salem, MA vs. Yellow Springs, OH

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Salem, MA vs. Yellow Springs, OH

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 2 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strong TownsFebruary 28, 2022Strongest Town 2022, Salem MA, strongest town contest

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Frankfort, KY vs. Middlesboro, KY

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Frankfort, KY vs. Middlesboro, KY

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 2 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strong TownsFebruary 28, 2022Strongest Town 2022, Frankfort KY, Middlesboro KY, strongest town contest

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Brighton, MI vs. Jasper, IN

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Brighton, MI vs. Jasper, IN

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 2 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strong TownsFebruary 28, 2022Strongest Town 2022, Brighton MI, strongest town contest, indiana

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Navasota, TX vs. Taylor, TX

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Navasota, TX vs. Taylor, TX

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 2 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strong TownsFebruary 28, 2022Strongest Town 2022, Navasota TX, Taylor TX, strongest town contest

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Champaign, IL vs. Jersey City, NJ

Strongest Town 2022, Round 1: Champaign, IL vs. Jersey City, NJ

Cast your vote! Who should advance to Round 2 in the seventh annual Strongest Town Contest?

Strong TownsFebruary 28, 2022Strongest Town 2022, Champaign IL, Jersey City NJ, strongest town contest