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Join Abby Kinney, Chuck Marohn, and occasional surprise guests to talk in depth about just one big story from the week in the Strong Towns conversation, right when you want it: now.

Strong Towns


    • May 14, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 35m AVG DURATION
    • 251 EPISODES

    4.6 from 133 ratings Listeners of Upzoned that love the show mention: abby, always, great, love.


    Ivy Insights

    The Upzoned podcast is a delightful and educational podcast that delves into the world of urban planning trends and best practices. Hosted by Abby, Chuck, and Kea, each week they tackle a new article or concept related to urban planning. Their discussions are not only informative but also engaging, making it a joy to listen to.

    One of the best aspects of The Upzoned podcast is the knowledge and expertise that Abby brings to the table. Despite sounding young, she displays a deep understanding of urban planning and consistently offers insightful opinions on various topics. Her guests also bring valuable perspectives, further enriching the discussions with different viewpoints and experiences.

    Chuck's contribution to the podcast cannot be overlooked either. His ability to go in-depth on nearly any subject is truly impressive. He adds depth and complexity to the conversations, offering listeners a deeper understanding of the issues being discussed. Additionally, Kea does an excellent job as a co-host, bringing interesting articles or concepts to discuss each week.

    While there are many positive aspects of this podcast, it's important to note that sometimes the discussions can get too technical or dense for casual listeners. Urban planning is a complex field, and at times it may be difficult for those without prior knowledge or experience to fully grasp some of the concepts being discussed. However, this could be seen as an opportunity for listeners to expand their horizons and learn something new.

    In conclusion, The Upzoned podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in urban planning trends and best practices. Abby's knowledge, Chuck's in-depth analysis, and Kea's ability to find interesting articles make for an engaging and educational listening experience. While some episodes may be challenging for casual listeners due to technical discussions, overall it is well worth tuning in each week to gain insights from experts in the field. Keep up the great work!



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    Latest episodes from Upzoned

    A Strong Towns View of the New SpaceX Company Town

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 43:36


    Residents of Boca Chica, Texas, have voted to turn their community into a new official city called Starbase. This new municipality is tightly controlled by SpaceX leadership and most residents are SpaceX employees, which has raised concerns about the reemergence of company towns. In this Upzoned episode, Abby is joined by our Chief Technical Advisor Edward Erfurt to discuss the Strong Towns perspective on this story. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Elon Musk's company town: SpaceX employees vote to create ‘Starbase'” by Nick Robins-Early, The Guardian (May 2025). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    California Universities Face a $17 Billion Growth Ponzi Scheme

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 55:57


    As of the 2023-24 academic year, the University of California faces $9.1 billion in deferred maintenance, while California State University faces $8.3 billion. In today's episode, Chuck and Abby explore how this problem arose, how it mirrors the challenges cities are facing, and what it'll take to manage this decline. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Inside a $17 billion maintenance backlog plaguing California's universities” by Victoria Mejicanos, Matthew Reagan and Mercy Sosa, CalMatters (April 2025). Learn more about the Growth Ponzi Scheme and how to evaluate your own city's financial position. Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Substack) Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Will Privatizing Mortgages Fix the Housing Market?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 58:37


    President Trump has proposed the privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, organizations that back the majority of mortgages in the U.S. and have been under a government conservatorship since the 2008 financial crisis. In this Upzoned episode, Chuck and Abby discuss the proposal and how it would affect the housing market. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “How Trump plans to get government out of the mortgage business” by Paige Sutherland and Meghna Chakrabarti, WBUR On Point (March 2025). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Substack) Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Can We Take Community Wealth Back From Walmart and Kroger?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 48:57


    In this Upzoned episode, Abby is joined by Strong Towns Chief Technical Advisor Edward Erfurt to discuss the emergence of food deserts in the United States. In the 1980s, the U.S. government stopped enforcing price discrimination laws, letting large supermarkets use their size to leverage better prices from suppliers. This led to the closure of many small, independent groceries and helped create today's food deserts. Abby and Edward discuss the shift from grocery stores being neighborhood assets to regional destinations and how that extracts wealth from communities. Then they share bottom-up ways that everyday people can address these food shortages in their communities. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The Great Grocery Squeeze: How a federal policy change in the 1980s created the modern food desert” by Stacy Mitchell, The Atlantic (December 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    What Does the Future Look Like for Tiny Towns?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 55:14


    Co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss the challenges faced by Victoria, Prince Edward Island, a town in Canada that only has 139 full-time residents. In an attempt to attract new residents, the town has adopted its first five-year development plan. Chuck and Abby talk about how very small towns like Victoria show the absurdities of the Suburban Experiment best — and feel its consequences most keenly. They explore what the future could look like for communities like this and emphasize the importance of embracing the things that make a specific town special instead of trying to copy suburban subdivisions. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Population growth called 'critical' for the sustainability of Victoria, P.E.I.” by Sara Fraser, CBC News (February 2025). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Substack). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    How a Popular Development Practice Backfires on Homeowners

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 45:49


    Residents of a neighborhood in Colorado are confronting a $434 million debt incurred by their community's special taxing district, which was set up by developers to finance the neighborhood's infrastructure. A group of neighbors are now organizing to take control of the district's board and try to bring transparency to the financial situation. In today's episode of Upzoned, Abby is joined by Edward Erfurt, Strong Towns' chief technical advisor. They discuss how using special taxing districts to fund developments is a common practice, how it leads to snowballing debt, and how difficult it is for residents to manage this kind of situation. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The largest neighborhood of this Colorado city is $434M in debt. Neighbors are now seeking board control.” by Olivia Young, CBS News (February 2025). This Thursday, February 27, Strong Towns will release a toolkit to help city officials welcome incremental housing development. Learn more here. Become a member to join the launch livestream with experts Alli Thurmond Quinlan (Incremental Development Alliance) and Eric Kronberg (Kronberg Urbanists + Architects). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    How To Handle the Looming Shortage of Senior Housing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 42:21


    The U.S. senior housing market is poised to shift from a surplus to a shortage in the next five years, as the oldest baby boomers turn 80 by 2030. In this Upzoned episode, Abby is joined by Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Strong Towns' director of Movement Building. They unpack the implications of this market shift and discuss what building more options for older adults could look like. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Aging Boomers Are About to Rekindle the Senior-Housing Market” by Peter Grant, The Wall Street Journal (February 2025). Read more: “Seniors Have Large Suburban Houses To Sell. Does Anyone Want Them?” (Strong Towns). “The Great Senior Short Sale or Why Policy Inertia Will Short Change Millions of America's Seniors” (Journal of Comparative Urban Law and Policy). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    How To Reform Chicago Zoning: The Western Avenue Project

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 40:04


    In this episode, Abby is joined by Chicago aldermen Matt Martin and Andre Vasquez to discusses the Western Avenue corridor study, one of the most ambitious planning efforts Chicago has seen in decades. It includes widespread rezoning reform, and it also addresses affordable housing, economic vitality and transit efficiency. The aldermen share their approach to rezoning, emphasizing the importance of a community-first approach. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Let's fix Western Avenue and make Chicago stronger” by Aaron Feldman, Chicago Tribune (June 2024). There are 6 easy code reforms that city officials can use to bring more housing to their communities. We will release a toolkit to help you implement these changes in February 2025. Get a sneak peek here and join our mailing list to be notified when this resource is available. Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Why Massachusetts Might Sue Its Cities Over Zoning Codes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 52:04


    In 2021, Massachusetts signed a law requiring communities that are served by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) to legalize multifamily housing development near MBTA transit stations. Recently, a state court ruled that the state has the authority to sue cities and towns that don't comply. In this episode of Upzoned, Abby and Chuck discuss whether that's a good idea, the broader trend of states intervening in city zoning practices, and how the root issue is actually poor transportation investment practices. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Court Ruling Paves the Way For State to Sue Towns With Exclusionary Zoning Laws” by Christian MilNeil, StreetsblogMASS (January 2025). “Our Financial System Favors Large-Scale Development…but at What Cost?” with Coby Lefkowitz. Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    How Homeowner's Insurance May Change in the Wake of California Wildfires

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 41:06


    In California, many major insurers have recently dropped homeowners in high risk areas from their plans, forcing them to seek alternate coverage with the state. However the state has nowhere near enough money to cover current property damage costs, a situation that will likely get worse as wildfires continue to burn. In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss the impact of natural disasters on the insurance industry, the feasibility of government-run insurance programs, and what this might mean for California in the long term. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Support Southern California Wildfire Relief. (Thank you to Strong Towns Artesia for providing this resource!) “California's Insurance System Faces Crucial Test as Losses Mount” by Christopher Flavelle, The New York Times (January 2025). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Is Life More Difficult for Younger Generations?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 38:32


    In this episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by Kevin Klinkenberg, an urban designer, planner and executive director of a place management organization. They discuss how a middle-class life — especially homeownership — has become increasingly difficult for younger generations to attain. They also cover the factors that contribute to this difficulty and possible responses. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Is a Middle Class Life Still Attainable?” by Tom Owens, Aaron Renn Substack (December 2024). Read more from Kevin Klinkenberg on Strong Towns or his Substack The Messy City. Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Motivated Reasoning: The Psychology Behind Big Municipal Projects

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 61:33


    In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn talk about satellite communities — towns that are developed a distance away from existing urbanized areas. They also discuss the psychological phenomena that incline people toward big projects that may solve an immediate issue (such as housing) but will cause larger difficulties later on (such as maintenance debt). ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Tewin's $590M infrastructure bill locks in 'forever sprawl,' councillor says” by Arthur White-Crummey, CBC Ottawa (June 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

    Urban Forests Are the Stroads of Urban Environmental Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 43:41


    Canada needs an additional 3.5 million housing units by 2030, and that means Canadian cities — as well as many others throughout North America — are facing the challenge of building more housing without wasting natural resources like mature trees. In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss this balancing act, the high value that trees bring to a community, and why sacrificing “urban forests” for housing doesn't have to mean sacrificing those trees. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Can urban forests survive the housing boom?” by Hanna Hett, Canada's National Observer (October 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    The Goldilocks Option: Why Townhouses Might Be Just Right for Housing Development

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 40:39


    In this episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by Andrew Ganahl, managing partner of a real estate development company that specializes in urban infill housing. They discuss a Washington Post article about townhouses, exploring the benefits of this style of development and Ganahl's own experiences with building townhouses in Kansas City. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The new American Dream should be a townhouse” by Amanda Shendruk and Heather Long, The Washington Post (October 2024). Andrew Ganahl (AND Real Estate site). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Here's Why You May See More Corner Stores in the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 45:44


    Post-COVID-19, there's been a resurgence of interest in mixed-use neighborhoods, leading some cities to allow for small corner stores even in neighborhoods that are otherwise residential only. In this Upzoned episode, host Abby Newsham is joined by Norm Van Eeden Petersman, the director of membership and development for Strong Towns. They discuss the role that small corner stores play in local economies, the benefits of allowing residents to continue using and creating these kinds of businesses, and how to talk to your local government about allowing this kind of use in your own community. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Become a member today! “The Corner Store Comeback” by Linda Baker, Bloomberg (October 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Deferred Maintenance Dilemma: Why Florida's Condo Market Is Floundering

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2024 58:11


    After the collapse of a Florida condo made national news in 2021, new safety regulations were enacted, requiring nearly 90% of Florida units to be updated. This left condo owners and buyers blindsided by a large backlog of deferred maintenance costs with no money saved to pay for them. In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn explain that this situation is an example of the Growth Ponzi Scheme, where maintenance costs are hidden by rapid growth until they eventually come due and bury people or communities in debt. They discuss the effect deferred maintenance has on individuals and communities and explore possible paths forward. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Why Owning (and Buying) a Florida Condo Has ‘Turned Into a Nightmare'” by Julia Echikson, The New York Times (October 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Can “Urban Homesteading” Help Cities Fight the Housing Crisis?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 48:36


    In this episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by Edward Erfurt, Strong Towns' director of community action, to discuss the Strong Towns take on “urban homesteading,” where cities sell derelict houses to people for $1 in exchange for a promise to renovate the property and live there for a period of time. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Can Selling Off Homes for $1 Solve Urban Blight?” by Rowan Bridge, BBC (October 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    What Is the Strong Towns Response to Natural Disasters?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 46:43


    Editor's Note: We are deeply saddened to see the damage Hurricane Helene has done to Western North Carolina. Please see the additional notes for ways you can help.   In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss managed retreat, where the federal government buys land from people to encourage them to move away from areas at high risk for natural disaster. According to the article, to actually move the necessary amount of people, the government needs to increase its efforts by a factor of 200. Chuck and Abby talk about the issues with this method of natural disaster management, as well as other common approaches like rebuilding disaster areas to be more fortified, and share their thoughts on alternative responses to natural disasters. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Ways to help Western North Carolina, suggested by Local Conversations in the area: Manna Food Bank. North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue. Cajun Navy. Beloved Asheville. “Retreating From the Coasts Makes Sense, But Our Current Approach Isn't Working,” by Tim Robustelli and Yuliya Panfil, Shelterforce Magazine (August 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Can Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Technology Make Streets Safer?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 51:21


    The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a national deployment plan of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, a wireless communication tool that allows vehicles to transmit data on speed, location, road condition and other basic information. The DOT plans to implement this technology in 75% of the nation's intersections over the next decade or so. In this episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by Strong Towns Director of Community Action Edward Erfurt. They discuss how V2X technology works, the challenges and risks of implementing it, and the alternatives that cities can use to increase safety more quickly and cheaply. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The Moonshot Plan to Eliminate Deaths on America's Roads” by Maria Clara Cobo and Fola Akinnibi, Bloomberg (September 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    From Silos to Success: How To Make City Building More Collaborative

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 66:05


    In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss the article “Toward a New Way of Educating City Builders” by Seth Zeren, a founding member of Strong Towns. They discuss the many different disciplines that are responsible for shaping the built environment, the professional silos that often develop between these disciplines, and how a shift in management or the way people think about urban development as a whole could break down these barriers. If you'd like to hear more of Zeren's thoughts on city building, check out his appearances on The Bottom-Up Revolution. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Toward a New Way of Educating City Builders” by Seth Zeren, Build the Next Right Thing (September 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Incremental Development: Ladies Power Hour

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 64:42


    In this episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by small-scale developers Alli Quinlan and Bernice Radle. They discuss their experiences in the field of incremental development, how to make incremental development more feasible in your city, and the importance of encouraging women to become incremental developers. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Alli Quinlan (LinkedIn). Bernice Radle (LinkedIn). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Is the American Dream out of Reach for Most People?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 58:47


    In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss a Wall Street Journal article titled “The American Dream Feels Out of Reach for Most.” They talk about how inflation and high housing costs can put the American Dream out of reach for many people, as well as the trade-offs that people may be forced to make between different life priorities, such as career fulfillment and homeownership. They also explore the importance of strong community relationships in finding happiness. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The American Dream Feels Out of Reach for Most” by Rachel Wolfe, The Wall Street Journal (August 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    How To Build Better Places Through Small-Scale Development

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 60:11


    This week, Upzoned host Abby Newsham and The Messy City Podcast host Kevin Klinkenberg are working together in a special collaborative episode. They are joined by Jim Heid, a Californian landscape architect turned small-scale developer, to discuss the real estate profession and why he thinks it can solve a lot of modern problems. Heid runs the Small Scale Developer Forum and has a new book called “Building Small: A Toolkit for Real Estate Entrepreneurs, Civic Leaders, and Great Communities.” ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES The Messy City Podcast. Jim Heid (site). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Fire Departments Can Help Make Streets Safer, and Here's How

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 57:16


    In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss the article “Huge Fire Trucks Are Making Us All Less Safe” by Collin Woodard. They talk about how North American fire trucks are unusual for their massive sizes, how accommodating such large trucks makes streets more dangerous and how fire departments could adapt to improve public safety. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Huge Fire Trucks Are Making Us All Less Safe” by Collin Woodard, Yahoo News (August 2024). The fire engine created by Abby Newsham's ancestor. Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Why Cities Need To Become More Family Friendly

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 61:39


    In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn talk about the rapid population decline of children under five years old in large urban areas. They discuss the factors that can drive would-be urban families out of cities, how the rapidly declining population will affect services like schools and the importance of cities being able to accommodate diverse lifestyles in a dynamic way. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The Urban Family Exodus Is a Warning for Progressives,” by Derek Thompson, The Atlantic (August 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    What Los Angeles Can Learn From Paris' Olympic Village

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 54:55


    In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn talk about the Olympic Village that was built in Paris and what the city plans to do with the development now that the Games are over. They discuss the accusations of gentrification and greenwashing that Paris officials are facing, the challenges inherent in trying to complete large-scale, sustainable projects on a deadline, and lessons that both Paris and Los Angeles — which will be hosting the 2028 Games — can take from past hosts. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Paris Hopes to Forge a New Model for Olympics-Oriented Development,” by Sam Levitt, The Urbanist (July 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Indianapolis Empowers People and Drives Change Through Tactical Urbanism

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 52:40


    Indianapolis officials are encouraging residents to be involved in improving the city, both through fund-matching programs and by opening a lending library of tools and equipment to help residents start pilot projects. In this Upzoned episode, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn talk about how Indianapolis' programs and initiatives are a great example of changing a city's bureaucratic structure and processes to better meet residents' needs. They discuss the growing pains that come with this kind of change and the necessity of officials and residents accepting failure as part of an incremental, experimental process. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Indy puts more resources toward helping communities make quick improvements” by Lauren Kostiuk, WTHR (July 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    How To Handle Small-Scale Development Finance: Insights From Kansas City

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 49:17


    In this episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by Jason Carter-Solomon, an incremental developer and commercial lender in Kansas City, to talk about financing small-scale development. They discuss the layers of risk that small-scale developers must navigate, and Solomon offers his perspective and advice on facing common challenges, such as dealing with entitlements and building inspectors. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Jason Carter-Solomon (LinkedIn). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    You Don't Actually Want To Abolish Property Taxes, and Here's Why

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 46:15


    This fall, seven states will have the opportunity to cut — or abolish, in some cases — property taxes, according to an article by Governing. In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss the Strong Towns perspective on property taxes, the consequences of removing them and how most people (including city officials) don't realize how much it costs to run a city. Chuck emphasizes that Strong Towns is not anti-tax and that taxes are essential to successfully running any city. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Voters in Several States Can Cut — or Abolish — Property Taxes This Fall” by Zina Hutton, Governing (July 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Why New York City's Traffic Congestion Plan Crashed and Burned

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 60:05


    The governor of New York recently announced the dissolution of the city's congestion pricing program after years of planning and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment. This program would've initiated a $15 toll on vehicles entering certain parts of Manhattan, and it was partly established to help support reinvestment in the transit system. It was shut down less than a month before it was supposed to start operating — after all the tolling infrastructure was already installed. In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck and Abby discuss how this debacle shows a fundamental misunderstanding of congestion pricing, the politics underpinning this decision and how the city could've handled things better. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “17 Years, $700 Million Wasted: The Stunning Collapse of New York's Traffic Moonshot” by Jimmy Vielkind and Joseph De Avila, The Wall Street Journal (June 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Faith in Action: How Religious Institutions Can Help Solve the Housing Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 59:49


    You've heard of YIMBYs and NIMBYs, but have you heard of YIGBYs? YIGBY stands for “Yes In God's Backyard,” and it's a movement focused on leveraging land owned by religious institutions to alleviate the housing crisis. This has the potential to benefit both people in need of housing and religious institutions. In this episode of Upzoned, hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss the potential benefits of the YIGBY movement, the practicalities of implementing it, and broader mindsets surrounding religious institutions and what their land should be used for. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Yes in God's backyard?” by Rachel M. Cohen, Vox (June 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    The Dollar Difference: Why Rural Poverty Benefits Dollar Stores More Than Urban

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 48:05


    This week on Upzoned, hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, “The Dollar-Store Showdown Comes Down to Real Estate.” It highlights the differences between Dollar General, which has stores located in mostly rural areas and is expanding its reach, and Family Dollar, which has stores located in mostly urban areas and is closing hundreds of stores. Why is one of these companies succeeding while the other struggles? And what do dollar stores help or harm poor neighborhoods? Listen to this week's episode to find out. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The Dollar-Store Showdown Comes Down to Real Estate” by Kate King, The Wall Street Journal (April 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    How To Successfully Navigate the World of Incremental Development

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 53:26


    Incremental development is the most resilient and financially responsible way for communities to grow and improve. As North America struggles through a housing crisis, this style of development becomes increasingly important. On this Upzoned episode, host Abby Newsham is joined by town builder Monte Anderson to talk about his experience as an incremental developer and the important principles of the field. Anderson is one of the founders of Incremental Development Alliance, which trains small-scale developers, and a managing partner of Neighborhood Evolution, a development consulting group. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Monte Anderson (site). “From Gridiron to Groundbreaking” by Nicole Ward, Dallas Innovates (March 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Doug Barrick: Building a Strong Town as a Member of Local Government

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 43:44


    In this episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by Doug Barrick, the town manager of Rutherfordton, North Carolina. Rutherfordton was one of the contestants in the 2024 Strongest Town Contest. Barrick discusses what it was like to compete, what Rutherfordton is doing to become a stronger town, and how the town's unique location and history influence those efforts. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Doug Barrick (LinkedIn). Rutherfordton (LinkedIn). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Is the Non Profit Sector a Mess of 'Misconduct, Greed and Corruption'?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 55:54


    Nonprofit organizations straddle the line between the private and public sectors, receiving both private donations and funding from the government to provide services. The problem with this model, an article in American Affairs says, is that nonprofits are then motivated to sabotage their own efforts so they can receive more money. This is only one example of the kinds of corruption that flourish within the poorly regulated, overly trusted nonprofit sector, the article argues. What's the Strong Towns take on this? And what does it mean for local governments? Join host Abby Newsham and co-host Chuck Marohn on this week's episode of Upzoned to find out. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The Nonprofit Industrial Complex and the Corruption of the American City” by Jonathan Ireland, American Affairs (May 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    An Inside Look at the Strong Towns National Gathering

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 51:42


    Last month, Strong Towns hosted the National Gathering in Cincinnati. It was a two-day event packed with different speakers and sessions, with many advocates meeting each other in person for the first time. In this episode of Upzoned, Abby talks with Strong Towns founder Chuck Marohn about his unique experience at the Gathering, the process of choosing a keynote speaker, how the National Gathering differs from the Congress for the New Urbanism and ways Gatherings might change in the future. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Become a member today! Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    From Bike Lovers to Zoning Experts: The Voices of Strong Towns

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 74:39


    This special edition of Upzoned was recorded last week at the 2024 National Gathering. Join host Abby Newsham as she talks to attendees about their efforts to build stronger towns. Interviewees: (0:00) Lisa Hutson, a business owner who's turning an abandoned factory into a mixed-use community hub. (8:52) Sean Suder, a zoning reform expert who helps cities make their zoning codes more people-friendly and defensible. (18:40) Chris Wyatt, a transit advocate who's working to make public transit more pleasant and useful. (26:00) Hannah Stanton-Gockel, a bike commuter who uses her marketing experience to advocate for people-centric city design. (38:41) Isaac Gonzalez, one of the National Gathering presenters, who discusses how to be a good long-term advocate. (50:40) Jackson Lester, a public transit planner who intends to combat the housing crisis through infill development. (1:02:15) Jaclyn Cheves, director of policy and partnerships for Blue Zones, who discusses how cities can become healthier places. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Cincinnati Pledges $200K in Funding for Popular Bikeshare Service

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 38:20


    The city of Cincinnati has pledged $200k to keep the popular bikeshare program Red Bike alive for another year. Joining us to talk about bikeshare programs and Red Bike's financial difficulties is Bryce Mortera, a member of Civic Cincinnati. Are these programs really beneficial for residents? And if so, is there a more sustainable way to fund them than relying on sponsors?

    Department of Justice Opens Criminal Investigation Into “Housing Cartel”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 56:42


    The U.S. Department of Justice is opening a criminal investigation into a major software company called RealPage, which is described in the lawsuit as the “big tech” company of rental housing. It provides software that is used by landlords (and, typically, landlords who are large holders of rental property) to estimate supply and demand for their listings in order to help them maximize rents. The question is whether or not RealPage is facilitating algorithmic price fixing for some of the largest residential property owners and management firms—amounting to what DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb has described as a “housing cartel.” And since Strong Towns has just released Escaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis, we figured there was no better time to discuss this story than now. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Order your copy of Escaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis today! “DOJ escalates price-fixing probe on housing market,” by Josh Sisco, Politico (March 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Inside the Notorious Gridlock of Colorado's I-70

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 40:18


    Since the 1970s, the number of cars on I-70 between Denver and its surrounding resorts have jumped more than 500%. Coloradans and frequent visitors know that, in order to reach the mountains during the gridlock of ski season, you must leave as early as 3 or 4 a.m. in the morning. Writer Gloria Liu decided to investigate this chaos by jumping directly into the traffic and interviewing the people stuck in it, and the article she penned about her adventure is up for discussion on this week's episode of Upzoned. Can I-70 be fixed? And what do famous recreational arterials like I-70 reveal about our relationship with nature in the U.S.? ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Colorado's I-70 Has America's Most Notorious Ski Traffic. Is There a Solution?” by Gloria Liu, Outside (March 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    “Redesigning” Cincinnati With the Connected Communities Plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 36:31


    Cincinnati is currently undergoing a significant planning reformation effort, which involves unveiling what's being called the Connected Communities plan. It includes a number of proposed land-use-related policy changes that are intended to help Cincinnati grow, with the goal of advancing zoning code changes, as well as supporting diversification and affordability of housing and bolstering business districts. Here on Upzoned this week to talk with host Abby Newsham about the proposal is John Yung, an urban planner, Program Manager at the Haile Foundation, and co-leader of the Cincy host committee for the upcoming Congress for the New Urbanism, which (along with the Strong Towns National Gathering) will be taking place in Cincinnati in May. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Mayor Pureval wants to redesign Cincinnati. Here's what that could look like,” by Becca Costello, WVXU (January 2024). Get your tickets for the National Gathering today! Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Our Financial System Favors Large-Scale Development…but at What Cost?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 52:27


    On this week's episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham and co-host Chuck Marohn are joined by Coby Lefkowitz, who penned the article that's up for discussion: “Why small developers are getting squeezed out of the housing market.” It focuses on how finance shapes our cities, why debt is used to develop cities in the first place, how lenders deal with risk, and why risk mitigation is critical to understanding why the world looks the way it does. And, most notably, it dives into America's housing financial system and why it privileges large-scale institutional development at the expense of more incremental and community-based building. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Why small developers are getting squeezed out of the housing market,” by Coby Lefkowitz, Noahpinion (March 2024). Coby Lefkowitz (Website; X/Twitter). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Traffic Deaths Now Exceed the Number of Homicides in LA. This Initiative Aims To Change That.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 35:22


    This week on Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by Michael Schneider, founder of Streets for All and the campaign manager for Healthy Streets Los Angeles. They discuss an article from The Los Angeles Times titled, “L.A. bus and bike lane measure will cost $3.1 billion, a new report says. Backers cry foul.” This piece was written in advance of the ballot proposal Measure HLA, which was recently approved by voters, and mandates the installation of hundreds of miles of transportation improvements in L.A. over the next decade, with a focus on bike lanes and sidewalk improvements. (Editor's note: This episode was recorded before the results of the ballot were released.) ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “L.A. bus and bike lane measure will cost $3.1 billion, a new report says. Backers cry foul,” by David Zahniser, The Los Angeles Times (February 2024). “The People of Los Angeles Just Said ‘Yes' to Safer Streets,” by Asia Mieleszko, Strong Towns (March 2024). Streets for All (website). Healthy Streets Los Angeles (website). Michael Schneider (LinkedIn; X/Twitter). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    $350 Million Mixed-Use Development Presents a "Huge Opportunity" for South Bend, IN

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 35:58


    This week on Upzoned, host Abby Kinney is joined by Mike Keen, a retired professor and incremental developer in South Bend, Indiana, to discuss a recent article in WSBT, “Major mixed-use development could be largest in downtown South Bend history.” It highlights a $350 million project that has been proposed in downtown South Bend: a mixed-use district that would include hotels, apartments, and commercial uses, to be completed by 2028. The development, led by nearby Memorial Hospital, will take up about two city blocks and is expected to be a catalytic project for the city. So, we ask: is this project going to be a positive for South Bend and its small-scale developers like Keen? ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Major mixed-use development could be largest in downtown South Bend history,” by Sean English, WSBT (February 2024). “This ‘Accidental Developer' Wants To Show You How To Revitalize Your Neighborhood,” by Seairra Jones, Strong Towns (April 2023). Escaping the Housing Trap: A Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis by Charles Marohn. Available for preorder now! Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Mike Keen (LinkedIn). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Could this New Approach to Public Housing Actually Work?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 46:19


    A suburb of Washington, DC is exploring a new approach to creating more affordable housing through public-private partnerships. And it's seeing success! In this episode of Upzoned, Chuck and Abby discuss the history of public housing and government housing subsidies in the US, the good, the bad and the ugly. Then they consider whether this new model could be helpful or harmful to cities. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “What if public housing were for everyone?” by Rachel M. Cohen, Vox (February 2024). Escaping the Housing Trap: A Strong Towns Response to the Housing Crisis by Charles Marohn. Available for preorder now! Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Parking Minimums Might Be on the Way Out in Dallas

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 43:42


    Local officials in Dallas are considering eliminating minimum parking requirements in the city. The zoning ordinance advisory committee just voted to advance the measure to the city planning commission, and if approved there, it would then go on to the city council. Critics believe that this is a one-size-fits-all approach to parking reform and that it's not an ideal solution to Dallas's parking dilemma, whereas proponents say the change will cut down on unused parking spaces and accelerate the city's economic development. So, is this measure a good or a bad move for Dallas? ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Dallas Zoning Committee Advances Parking Reform,” by Andrew Terrell, The Dallas Express (February 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Coming Back Down to Earth After a “Next-Level” Downtown Revitalization

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 43:59


    This week's Upzoned episode covers a story that sounded promising at the start: “The Town That Took Downtown Renewal to the Next Level”? Sounds great! Right? Alas, residents of Morristown, Tennessee, have discovered that the Skymark (i.e., an elevated sidewalk) they built in the 1960s was not the salvation for their downtown they'd hoped it would be. Join host Abby Newsham and co-host Chuck Marohn as they take a deep dive on how this huge investment, unfortunately, didn't pan out as a long-term strategy for economic prosperity. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The Town That Took Downtown Renewal to the Next Level,” by David Zipper, CityLab (January 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Today's Generation of Families Are “Disillusioned” by Suburbia

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 30:48


    Five families from Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Pittsburg move to the suburbs in search of the American dream, drawn by promises of better schools and all the other amenities promised by suburban life…but instead, they're experiencing the decline of the suburbs, rather than the benefits that were sold to them. On this week's episode, host Abby Kinney and co-host Chuck Marohn discuss this story, told in “The Suburbs Have Become a Ponzi Scheme,” and based on the book, Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America's Suburbs. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The Suburbs Have Become a Ponzi Scheme,” by Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic (January 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Millennials Are Fleeing Cities in Favor of the Exurbs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 40:27


    Millennials are officially getting old. They're having children, buying houses, and getting replaced by Gen Z in urban areas. As one article from Business Insider puts it, “Millennials are getting priced out of cities,” and are starting to leave the urban neighborhoods that they've been building their lives in, up to this point. According to the author, since the cost and types of housing available in urban areas isn't conducive to family life, millennials are having to instead flee to the only place they can afford to live: the exurbs. What's the Strong Towns take on this? Join host Abby Newsham and co-host Chuck Marohn as they discuss this article on this week's episode of Upzoned. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Millennials are getting priced out of cities,” by Eliza Relman, Business Insider (Jan. 2024). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Chuck Marohn (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Ryan Johnson: Builder of the First Car-Free Neighborhood Made From Scratch in the U.S.

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 23:56


    Upzoned has been on a bit of a hiatus for the past couple of months, but we wanted to have at least one final episode of 2023 (and rest assured that the podcast will be returning with weekly episodes in 2024). This episode is an exciting one, as host Abby Kinney is joined by a guest whose work she's been following for several years: Ryan Johnson, the builder and resident of the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the U.S., called Culdesac Tempe. We hope you enjoy this special end-of-the-year interview and look forward to more content coming soon! ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Culdesac Tempe (website). Ryan Johnson (X/Twitter). Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

    Transportation Meltdown: Children on the School Bus Till 10 p.m.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2023 35:33


    Kentucky's largest school system recently had to cancel the second and third day of classes due to what they're calling a disastrous overhaul of the bus system. On day one, some children were still on their bus at 10 p.m.  AP News reported this issue is partly the result of a bus driver shortage, which definitely plays a role in why Kentucky is having this transportation problem. But Kentucky isn't the only place that's struggled with getting children to and from school. There's more to the story, and it has to do with the suburban development pattern, and the closure of neighborhood schools. In this Upzoned episode, host Abby Newsham digs into details of why, seemingly every year, many school districts have trouble with the transportation of students. She invites Dr. Michael Ralph, director of research at MultiStudio, and Daniel Herriges, Strong Towns' editor-in-chief, to share their insights on the subject. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “New school bus routes a ‘disaster,' Kentucky superintendent admits. Last kids got home at 10 pm,” AP News (August 2023). Abby Newsham (Twitter). Dr. Michael Ralph (Twitter). Daniel Herriges (Twitter). Learn more about the 2023 Local-Motive Tour. Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

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