In 2016, They Won the Strongest Town Contest. Today, They’re Even Stronger.

We caught up with Carlisle, PA, the winner of the 2016 Strongest Town Contest, to hear about the successes the borough has seen in the years since.

Community Stories, Top StoryAsia MieleszkoJanuary 30, 2024strongest town contest, pennsylvania

The Trouble With Traffic Studies

Traffic studies read like dry, technocratic products that follow some scientific process. In reality, they often use selective data and unrealistic projections to promote road projects with the veneer of technical expertise.

Top StoryBen AbramsonJanuary 29, 2024end highway expansion, engineers, traffic engineering

Minnesota Introduces First-in-the-Nation Bill To Eliminate Minimum Parking Mandates Statewide

Minnesota legislators have introduced a bill that would eliminate minimum parking mandates statewide—and Strong Towns was there to cheer them on.

Sacramento Effectively Ended Single-Family Exclusive Zoning. But That’s Not All.

Sacramento City Council has unanimously approved a set of changes that will allow the California capital to meet its housing demands.

News, Top StoryAsia MieleszkoJanuary 26, 2024zoning, Incremental Housing, california, success stories, Form-Based Code

No One Should Be the Second Person To Die on a Dangerous Street

If a roof is leaking in a public building, we know to fix it asap. So why don’t our public officials move with the same urgency when dealing with a much more serious problem: the death of a person on our streets?

The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…Fighting for a Family-Owned Grocery Store

For the past four years, Jessica Peacock has been fighting her city’s zoning laws in order to get her great-grandparents’ neighborhood grocery store reopened.

Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 25, 2024The Bottom-Up Revolution, small business, local business, North Carolina

Where’s the Accountability in ODOT's I-475 Expansion Project?

ODOT put out a newsletter that seemed to strongly encourage public engagement in their project to expand I-475. Yet when this advocate took them up on the offer, she faced barriers at every step of the way.

Top StoryAsia MieleszkoJanuary 25, 2024end highway expansion, ohio, freeway widening, public engagement

Why Are Cities So Noisy? And Can We Do Anything About It?

Living in the city can mean dealing with a lot of noise, which can have negative long-term effects on one’s health—but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Emma Durand-Wood, Top StoryEmma Durand-WoodJanuary 25, 2024cities, psychology, public health

Millennials Are Fleeing Cities in Favor of the Exurbs

Millennials are getting older, having children…and fleeing to the only places where they can afford housing: the exurbs.

Podcast, Trending, Top StoryStrong TownsJanuary 24, 2024upzoned, podcast, suburbs, family, housing crisis, Incremental Housing

Why "No Build" Is Like the Redshirt Guy on Star Trek

What’s the point of including a “no build” option for proposed infrastructure projects if no one will advocate for it?

Top StoryBen AbramsonJanuary 24, 2024end highway expansion, highways, freeway widening, megaproject

Greek Life Part Two: Citizen vs. Subject

A citizen is a rightful participant in directly shaping the fabric of their city. So…are modern Americans citizens of their cities, or just subjects?

Owens, Top StoryTiffany Owens ReedJanuary 23, 2024cities

Your Participation Is Encouraged, but Not Wanted

Why does TxDOT bother inviting Houston residents to come comment on the North Houston Highway Improvement Project…if they are going to make it so hard to actually do so?

It’s Always Too Late: How Freeway Fighters Are Kept out of the Conversation

Freeway fighters in Houston are going up against a grim truth in highway expansion projects: that those most impacted by them are almost always the most marginalized in the decision-making process.

Top StoryAsia MieleszkoJanuary 22, 2024freeway widening, urban freeways, end highway expansion, texas, advocacy, highways

Local Success Stories Deserve National Spotlight. Here’s Your Town’s Chance!

Does your town have a powerful story to tell? This contest is your chance to shine a spotlight on the great things going on in your community. Apply today!

Top StoryRachel QuednauJanuary 22, 2024strongest town contest

Where Do Infrastructure Projects Come From?

Your city just announced a big infrastructure project, one with significant state and federal funding. You and your neighbors are likely wondering: why this project?

Zoning Regulations Are Choking Philadelphia's Art Scene

This Philadelphia museum has won regional and national praise, and titled a “Philadelphia Cultural Treasure.” Yet, that didn’t stop the Zoning Board of Adjustments from challenging the homegrown institution's right to operate.

Top StoryAsia MieleszkoJanuary 19, 2024zoning, pennsylvania, arts, local regulation, historic preservation

You Can Help End the Epidemic of Traffic Deaths in Your Community

Streets are some of the most hostile and dangerous places in our built environment, causing the deaths of over 40,000 people every year. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Edward Erfurt, Top StoryEdward ErfurtJanuary 19, 2024Crash Analysis Studio, car crash, Street Design

Every City Should Do This Housing Exercise

Your city or town probably needs more housing, but where should it go? This exercise could help you find out.

From “Someone Should” to “We Will”

Connecting with other advocates online can be empowering, but in many ways, you just can’t beat the power of a local, in-person group.

Emma Durand-Wood, Top StoryEmma Durand-WoodJanuary 18, 2024local conversations, advocacy

It Didn’t Matter That She Was Riding an E-Bike

A mother tragically lost her life after being struck by a car—yet local media is fixated on the fact that she was riding an e-bike. What about the dangerous conditions of the street she was killed on?

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