Podcasts about strong towns

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.

ZacTax is a financial analysis firm that helps city officials understand their revenue streams and make smarter financial choices. Today, Chuck is joined by its founders, Chad Janicek and Patrick Lawler. They explain how they work effectively with local governments and how their work is helping drive a cultural shift toward stronger and more productive cities. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn more about ZacTax: Website LinkedIn Connect with Chad and Patrick: Email: chad@zactax.com || patrick@zactax.com LinkedIn: Patrick Lawler Learn more about the Strong Towns approach to finance. Chuck Marohn (Substack)

In this episode, I connect with Seth Kaplan, author of the recent book "Fragile Neighborhoods" and a recent article "The Real User Interface: Recovering Our Neighborhoods," for a conversation about the challenges of our current community designs and how we can make our neighborhoods less fragile, or to channel Nassim Taleb, make our neighborhoods "Anti-Fragile" once again.Seth argues that our planners and engineers have built a physical landscape optimized for cars but minimized for actual human relationships, suggesting that the automobile is arguably the technology that has made the biggest impact on our associational life while our spread-out community design isolates and divides, weakening the bonds that tie us together. This is especially problematic for children, whose opportunities for spontaneous free play—and the constructive friction that self-organized activities create—are further limited when the physical landscape discourages exploration. He emphasizes that having meaningful destinations within comfortable walking distance is key to building strong ties between us.Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for video content.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):

News: It's Bike Month! Also- an Ontario, Canada court may save Toronto bike lanes, Waymo says its AVs are 25x safer than human drivers for cyclists and pedestrians on the road, Trump's tariffs will devastate the bike industry, and Americans are losing interest in buying cars (1:47). The QUIMBY movement = Quality In My Back Yard, and it means high quality codes/laws/permitting/planning high quality buildings, streets, bike lanes and buses, say Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Strong Towns' Director of Membership and Development and Lindsay Sturman, Bike Talk co-host and co-founder of Livable Communities Initiative (4:53). Artist Eleanor Davis on her comic, You and a Bike and a Road, a two-wheeled journey across the landscape of the American South (23:14). Moving From Cars to People is a comic about how the built environment in the United States came to be designed for cars, and what we can do about it. With authors and Transportation and Communities researchers Kelly Clifton and Kristina Currans (40:45).

Diane Alisa is an author and founder of the nonprofit End Car Dependency. Her nonprofit helps support families by making it easier to get around safely without a car, build strong support networks, and empower children to be part of their communities. Diane joins this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution to discuss the impact of car-dependent design on families and the importance of building integrated communities (or "villages"). ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Support the work of advocates like Diane by becoming a Strong Towns member today! Local Recommendations: Downtown Provo “Love Letter to Suburbia: How to Restore the American Village” by Diane Alisa End Car Dependency (website) Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

In a recent episode of the Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomed Andy Gail, CEO of United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley, and Amanda Whitson, co-chair of the Housing Coalition of Northern Shenandoah Valley, to discuss the upcoming Housing Summit. The summit, scheduled for May 23rd at Laurel Ridge Community College, seeks to address various housing challenges faced by the region. The conversation began with informal exchanges about local events and food trucks, underscoring the community-oriented vibe of the show. The light-hearted banter set the stage for the in-depth discussion on housing issues. Amanda elaborated on the origins and mission of the Housing Coalition, a group formed seven years ago to unite local nonprofits, realtors, and organizations like Virginia Housing in tackling housing-related issues. The coalition's work includes hosting the annual Housing Summit, which aims to bring awareness and solutions to the area's housing challenges. The upcoming summit will focus on 'escaping the housing trap' and features notable speakers such as Ryan Price, Chief Economist for Virginia Realtors, and Robert McNabb, Economics Professor at ODU. Edward Erfurt from Strong Towns will also contribute insights on zoning and community planning. Janet and Amanda discussed the interconnectivity of housing with other community issues, emphasizing the summit's agenda of translating discussion into actionable solutions through breakout sessions and panels. Partnership details with local organizations and businesses were highlighted, demonstrating community-wide support for the initiative. To register for the summit or to learn more about the Housing Coalition and its activities, Amanda advised visiting their Facebook page. The event is free, but registration is required for logistical planning - click here to register.   

Daniel Bloemker is a Strong Towns member and Local Conversation leader from Bellingham, Washington. He's been instrumental in advancing local efforts on parking reform, housing, and community spaces. He joins Norm in this Bottom-Up Short to discuss these efforts and the progress the city has made. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Want to support advocates like Daniel? Become a Strong Towns member today. Bellingham won the “Most Progress in Building Better Budgets” award in the Strongest Town Contest. There are many great lessons that cities of all sizes can learn from their hard work.

Chuck reflects on the current state of the world. He explains that, when you recognize things are broken, you have two options. You can wait helplessly for someone else to fix them, or you can start rebuilding the systems closest to you. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES It's Member Week! Join the movement that's building stronger towns across North America. Join us for a four-hour livestream tour of North America on Wednesday, April 30, from 1-5 p.m. CDT. Chat with Chuck and meet some of the Strong Towns members actively making their communities stronger.

In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck is joined by Carlee Alm-LaBar and Kevin Blanchard, former city staff members in Lafayette, Louisiana. Carlee is now Strong Towns' chief of staff, while Kevin is CEO of the nonprofit Downtown Lafayette, which promotes infrastructure development and business revitalization. Carlee and Kevin discuss the challenges of balancing competing demands and priorities when working in local government, particularly when trying to make smarter financial decisions. They also share recommendations for how local governments and residents can work together constructively. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Download the Strong Towns Finance Decoder to get to the bottom of your city's finances. Kevin Blanchard (LinkedIn) Chuck Marohn (Substack)

Steven Zittergruen is a city councilor and Strong Towns member from Decorah, Iowa. In this Bottom-Up Short, he joins Norm to discuss the ways he's making his community stronger. His efforts include revamping Decorah's budgeting process, helping launch Decorah's Local Conversation group, and writing about local governance. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Dear Decorah (Substack) Learn how to do the math in your own community. Decorah made it to the Elite Eight in this year's Strongest Town Contest. There are many great lessons that cities of all sizes can learn from their hard work. Click here to read more about their progress. Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

Rick Cole is the chief deputy controller of Los Angeles and a councilmember in Pasadena, California. He's known for tackling challenging city budgets and has been honored for his work as a public official several times, including with a Excellence in Management Award. Cole joins Chuck Marohn on this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast to discuss city finances and how they can be improved. Their conversation includes the following topics: What does it mean for budgets to be value statements? How do you direct city finances in a truly effective way? What role should the public play in a city's financial decisions, and how can city staff and officials enable their productive participation? And more! ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn more about the Strong Towns approach to finance. Rick Cole (LinkedIn) Chuck Marohn (Substack)

Tesla's polluting plants, Musk's racist genealogy and the #Teslatakedown (1:53). Our new regime is anti-active transportation, so we check in with Strong Towns founder Charles Marohn for what we can do locally to make towns more bikeable and livable (7:17). Rochester University Campus Times writers Teddy Almond and Maya Brosnick debate NYC's congestion pricing (30:28). Robert Zaichkowski's Bike Thought (54:17).

Sean Hayford Oleary is a city council member in Richfield, Minnesota. A Strong Towns member of seven years, Oleary has helped reintroduce duplexes, reduce parking mandates, and support walkable, financially strong neighborhoods in his community. In this episode of Bottom-Up Shorts, he and Norm discuss the progress Richfield is making in becoming a stronger town. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Richfield made it to the Sweet 16 in this year's Strongest Town Contest, from a list of almost 40 nominees. There are many great lessons that cities of all sizes can learn from their hard work. Click here to read more about their progress, and remember to vote next week in the Final Four matchup! Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

Travis Goedken is the city manager of Decorah, Iowa. In this Bottom-Up Short, he joins Norm to talk about a few of the practices and reforms that are making Decorah strong, including making its budgeting easier to understand for residents, embracing a highly collaborative planning process, and opening up new housing options by finding creative loopholes in restrictive state laws. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Feeling inspired? Vote for Decorah in the Strongest Town Contest! Travis Goedken (LinkedIn) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck addresses the craziness of the current political climate. Using recent policy changes and public responses as examples, he explores how we've created a political climate of either-or: Either you decide to take a chainsaw to bankrupt and failing systems or you refuse to acknowledge that they're bankrupt and failing. Chuck shows how the Strong Towns approach provides a third path, where problems are recognized and addressed in a healthy way. He also gives a sneak peek at how Strong Towns is planning to help advocates and cities embrace this path. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “It Was Never Going To Be Me” by Ben Hunt (Epsilon Theory article) “Ben Hunt: Surviving the Widening Gyre Through Hope and Community” (Strong Towns Podcast) Chuck Marohn (Substack)

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.

In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck explores the flawed nature of North America's current “housing bargain,” where most neighborhoods are allowed to stay exactly the same as long as some neighborhoods — usually those that are poorer and have less political clout — are forced to radically change. He proposes a new way forward that respects cities as living and evolving systems. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES 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 toolkit launch livestream with experts Alli Thurmond Quinlan (Incremental Development Alliance) and Eric Kronberg (Kronberg Urbanists + Architects). Chuck Marohn (Substack).

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.

Varsha Gopal is an architect from Chennai, India. She is putting Strong Towns ideas into action by starting conversations about what makes places thrive — what makes them special, sustainable and prosperous. On this episode of Bottom-Up Shorts, she joins Norm to discuss two research projects she recently conducted in her city and what they taught her about thriving cities, urban design and community engagement. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn). Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! Subscribe to The Bottom-Up Revolution on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podbean or via RSS.

This special episode of the Strong Towns Podcast explores the Strongest Town Contest, including what cities can learn from previous winners, what it means for cities to participate, and a preview of this year's Contest. Joining the discussion are Strong Towns staffers Lauren Ronnander and John Pattison, as well as Stephen Gawron, the former mayor of the 2018 Strongest Town, Muskegon, Michigan. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn more about the Strongest Town Contest. Nominate your place (anyone can do this for free, even if you're not a local official or city staff!) Chuck Marohn (Substack).

Spencer Coyne is the mayor of Princeton, British Columbia. As a proud Strong Towns member, he works to bring incremental development and community resilience to his city. Coyne joins this Bottom-Up Short to explain how he's implementing the Strong Towns approach in Princeton, including how to incrementally reform a zoning code and how to do a lot with a small amount of funding. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Connect with Spencer Coyne: Facebook. LinkedIn. Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn). Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck discusses housing with Cullum Clark, director of the Economic Growth Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute. They talk about why there is so much resistance to new development, ways that officials and advocates could engage with the public to reduce that resistance, and what the incoming Trump administration could mean for housing. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES George W. Bush Presidential Center (site). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Learn what comes next for incremental housing in 2025 by tuning into the State of Strong Towns address on January 30 at 4 p.m. EST.

In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck discusses the common misbelief that an incremental approach to housing development is inherently slow. He explains how an incremental approach can actually be much faster than focusing on large housing projects, what that means for major cities, and how to make incremental housing more appealing to people who don't want their neighborhoods to change. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Transcript available on our site. Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X). Learn what comes next for incremental housing in 2025 by tuning into the State of Strong Towns address on January 30 at 4 p.m.

In this special episode of Bottom-Up Shorts, host Norm Van Eeden Petersman is joined by Edward Erfurt, chief technical advisor for Strong Towns, to discuss a transformative 4-step approach to public investment. They explore real-world examples of this approach in action, including the inspiring stories of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and Chisholm, Minnesota. These stories illustrate the power of starting small, focusing on what's possible today, and engaging local energy to build something truly transformative over time. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Read more about the incremental approach to public investment: “The Strong Towns Approach to Public Investment” (article). “Starting a Local Business Can Be As Easy as Setting Up a Chair” (article). “Learn the 4-Step Process for Public Investment” (Academy course). Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn). Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

The Building Culture Podcast explores holistic solutions to crafting a more beautiful, resilient and thriving world through the built environment. Its host, Austin Tunnell, recently invited Strong Towns President Charles Marohn and California YIMBY's Nolan Gray onto the show to debate the housing crisis. It was a great conversation that explores how these movements align and differ in their approaches to housing. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES The Building Culture Podcast. Nolan Gray (Twitter/X). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

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.

Over the years, Chuck has added audio clips to the Strong Towns Podcast outro music to memorialize influential moments and experiences he's had since founding Strong Towns. Today, in honor of that outro music being retired, he breaks down each of these clips, explaining why they're significant and how these experiences influenced him and the Strong Towns movement as a whole. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

In this episode of Bottom-Up Shorts, host Norm Van Eeden Petersman is joined by Joshua Hopkins, the newly elected mayor of Chugwater, Wyoming. They discuss Hopkins' path to becoming mayor and how he created a rodeo ring that provides a third place for his community and supports local businesses and walkability. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Tri-County Mercantile. Read more from Strong Towns about Chugwater. Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn). Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

In this episode, I connect with Rachel Leonardo, a Pamplona-based video producer who has recently taken over the role of creating video content for the Strong Towns organization.Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for more video content.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):- Rachel's personal channel - Strong Towns Channel - Strong Towns website - My episode with Mike Pasternock - My Rethink35 episode- Not Just Bikes Channel/Strong Towns Playlist- Streetcraft Channel - My episode with Jon Jon Wesolowski - Chuck's channel  - Conversation with an Engineer video - Type Ashton's channel- Gary Vee's Channel- My episode with JordiIf you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Join our Patreon community. Contributions start at just $1 per month(Note: Patron benefits include early, ad-free access to content and a 15% discount in the Active Towns Merch Store)2. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"3. Pick up some Active Towns #StreetsAreForPeople Merch at my storeCredits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic SoundResources used during the production of this video:- My recording platform is Ecamm Live- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite- Equipment: Contact me for a complete listFor more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Twitter- Periodic e-NewsletterBackground:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I'm a health promotion and public health professional with over 30 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.Since 2010,  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2024 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, I sit down with Chuck Marohn from Strong Towns and Nolan Gray from California YIMBY to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: the housing crisis in America.  It started with an exchange on X (Twitter) where I saw Nolan and Chuck disagreeing. Surprised, I asked them on the podcast to discuss areas of overlap and disagreement between the YIMBY movement and Strong Towns. They were kind enough to agree. In this episode we discuss the complex web of factors driving housing unaffordability, from financialization and zoning laws to the ripple effects of inflation and outdated building codes. We dive into the historical context of these challenges and debate the influence of investors, policymakers, and local governments in shaping the future of housing. Along the way, we uncover where the Strong Towns and YIMBY movements align—and where they diverge—especially on the role of financialization in housing supply. TAKEAWAYS Financialization of housing has created a feedback loop driving up prices, turning homes into investment assets rather than places to live. Zoning and building codes play a critical role in either enabling or hindering the ability to increase housing supply. There is significant overlap between Strong Towns and YIMBY movements, particularly in their shared focus on practical, community-oriented solutions to housing challenges. Local governments can play a crucial role in financing housing development and supporting small builders to create a more diverse housing market. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) offer quick, scalable housing solutions that align with incremental development strategies. Policy changes are essential to create a more flexible and affordable housing market that meets the needs of diverse communities. CHAPTERS 00:00 Understanding Housing Affordability and Supply Chain Dynamics 02:46 Introduction to the Debate: Strong Towns vs. YIMBY 06:29 Exploring the Financialization of Housing 12:32 The Role of Financialization in Housing Crisis 19:11 Historical Context: Financialization and Housing Policy 24:07 The Impact of Institutional Investors on Housing 29:15 Navigating the Future of Housing Affordability 31:03 The Impact of Financialization on Housing Supply 34:46 Addressing the Affordability Crisis 39:57 The Role of Local Governments in Housing Development 43:42 Zoning, Financing, and the Housing Market 50:56 Inflation and Its Effects on Construction Costs 57:51 Balancing Incremental Development with Market Needs 01:02:36 Addressing the Affordable Housing Crisis 01:11:01 The Role of Incremental Change in Housing 01:19:19 Financing Solutions for Accessory Dwelling Units 01:27:40 Debating Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Strategies 01:30:17 The Future of Housing Movements CONTACT NOLAN & MENTIONED RESOURCES: X: https://x.com/mnolangray?lang=en  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mnolangray/?hl=en  Website YIMBY:https://cayimby.org/author/nolangray/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnolangray  Book:https://islandpress.org/books/arbitrary-lines#desc  CONTACT CHUCK & MENTIONED RESOURCES: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlesmarohn/?hl=en  Strong Towns Website:https://www.strongtowns.org/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesmarohn  Books:https://www.strongtowns.org/book  Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/marohn/  Strong Towns Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strong_towns/?hl=en CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL Newsletter: https://playbook.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ SPONSORS Thank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast! Sierra Pacific Windows: https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/ One Source Windows: https://onesourcewindows.com/

On this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck discusses safe streets advocacy with Amy Cohen, the co-founder and president of Families for Safe Streets. They cover the importance of using both data and personal stories to drive change, some of Families for Safe Streets' recent initiatives, and advice for local advocates on how to support people who have lost loved ones to traffic violence. See the additional notes for resources and support from Families for Safe Streets. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Personal stories can be a powerful driver of change. Families for Safe Streets' Community Story Map collects these stories. They also offer a toolkit for using the map to bring awareness to traffic violence. Families for Safe Streets offers support services for those affected by traffic violence. Click here to learn more. Learn about the Strong Towns model for creating safer streets. Amy Cohen (Families for Safe Streets site). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

It's Member Week here at Strong Towns. As a special treat, we're publishing three new episodes of the Strong Towns Podcast. In this episode, Chuck explains how election years affect a nonpartisan nonprofit like Strong Towns. It's kind of ugly, but it doesn't change our mission. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Become a member today! Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

This Member Week, we're excited to introduce you to Bottom-Up Shorts, a new collection of 10-minute episodes that we're adding to The Bottom-Up Revolution feed. Each week, Member Advocate Norm Van Eeden Petersman will talk with inspiring guests who are taking action in their community. This week, he's joined by Manav Sharma, one of the leaders of Strong Towns Vancouver, a Local Conversations group. Sharma and his group were inspired to make their community stronger through the tactical deployment of stickers. Here's how they're doing it. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Become a member today! Strong Towns Vancouver sticker campaign coverage, pictures and video. Resources for creating safe and productive streets. Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn). Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

It's Member Week here at Strong Towns. As a special treat, we're publishing three new episodes of the Strong Towns Podcast this week. In this episode, Chuck is joined by Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Strong Towns' director of membership and development. They discuss the history of the Strong Towns movement and how members have brought it to heights Chuck never could've imagined — including spreading Strong Towns ideas not only across North America but across the world. The movement's grown so much, but we're not done yet. We need your help to spread the Strong Towns approach even further, until every town is a strong one. Join us by becoming a member today. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

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.

Today, we're kicking off Member Week at Strong Towns. As a special treat, we'll be publishing three new episodes of the Strong Towns Podcast this week. In this first episode, Chuck discusses the cultural shift that the Strong Towns movement is striving to create and why that shift is so essential to building more prosperous and resilient communities. This is a bottom-up movement, and it needs your help to succeed. Join the ranks of people building a stronger tomorrow by becoming a member today. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Become a member today! Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

Strong Towns is a nonpartisan organization that's focused on starting change from the local level, not the federal one. However, Chuck was recently challenged to come up with five things that the next president, whoever they end up being, should do once they're in office. In today's episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, he shares that list and explains why each item is important to building a stronger America. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “5 Things For The Next President To Do” (article). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

In today's news: Benton Harbor man arrested as suspect in Sister Lakes homicide SW Michigan Chamber invites Strong Towns author to area Early voting continues with stronger-than-expected turnout and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Norm Van Eeden Petersman is the director of membership and development at Strong Towns. He regularly writes for Strong Towns on topics including housing, transportation and community building. He also co-leads his area's Local Conversation, Deltans for People-Oriented Places. In this episode, Petersman joins host Tiffany Owens Reed to discuss his work with Strong Towns and the importance of building community in your place. They also share an exciting update about the future of The Bottom-Up Revolution. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Dunbar Lumber.. Nerd Feeder. Localz Urban Cafe. My Original Danish Pastry Baker. Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram). Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

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.

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.

In this episode I sit down with Daniel Herriges, the new Policy Director for Parking Reform, and co-author of The Housing Trap, a book he wrote alongside Strong Towns' Chuck Marohn. We delve into the complex issue of housing affordability, discussing how it goes far beyond the usual culprits of capitalism or zoning. Daniel provides great insights into the financial, legal, and cultural forces that have shaped our current housing crisis. We discuss how housing has become a financial product intertwined with national economic stability, and explore how the suburban experiment, government mortgage programs, and zoning laws have locked many communities into unsustainable patterns of development. Daniel also shared a compelling vision for moving forward, advocating for more incremental and local solutions that empower individuals to take small steps towards improving their communities. TAKEAWAYS 1. Housing Affordability is Complex: The housing crisis can't be blamed solely on capitalism or zoning—it's the result of a mix of financial, legal, and cultural factors that have developed over decades. 2. Housing as a Financial Product: Housing in the U.S. has evolved into a financial asset tied to the national economy, creating a system where prices must remain high to avoid financial collapse, even if that means homes are unaffordable. 3. The Suburban Experiment's Impact: Post-WWII suburban development, backed by government mortgage policies, has locked us into a system where housing is separated by strict zoning laws, limiting organic neighborhood growth and adaptability. 4. Zoning Laws as a Barrier: Outdated zoning regulations make it nearly impossible to build affordable housing in many desirable areas, restricting supply and pushing up prices. 5. The Need for Incremental Development: Instead of massive top-down solutions, Daniel advocates for smaller, local infill projects like backyard cottages or duplexes that can quickly and affordably add housing in existing neighborhoods. 6. Cultural Shift is Key: Beyond policy changes, there must be a cultural shift where communities accept neighborhood evolution and recognize the value in incremental, human-scale development over rigid, large-scale planning. CHAPTERS 00:00 Understanding the Housing Crisis 04:10 Historical Context of Housing Affordability 09:14 The Complexity of Housing Affordability 11:07 The Suburban Experiment and Its Impact 17:50 The Financialization of Housing 33:30 Legal and Regulatory Challenges in Housing 34:00 Cultural Shifts in Housing Perception 44:26 Planning for Permanence in Neighborhoods 45:55 The Impact of Zoning and Redlining 49:41 The Decline of Affordable Housing Strategies 51:34 Understanding the Role of Capitalism in Housing 52:53 The Future of Suburban Developments 56:05 The Importance of Incremental Development 01:00:20 Building Culture and Community Engagement 01:06:12 Escaping the Housing Trap: A Cultural Shift 01:17:03 The Future of Housing Policy and Community Development CONTACT DANIEL housingtrap.org Email: herrigas@gmail.com Book: Escaping the Housing Trap Parking Reform: https://parkingreform.org/2024/04/03/meet-our-new-policy-director/ https://x.com/dpherriges https://www.linkedin.com/in/dherriges/ CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL Newsletter: https://playbook.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE https://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ SPONSORS Thank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast! Sierra Pacific Windows: https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/ One Source Windows: https://onesourcewindows.com/

In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck talks about V2X (vehicle-to-everything) technology and how it's an example of a moonshot — a big, risky gamble that promises an equally big reward. He explains why these big gambles often fail when applied to complex problems like street safety and how the Strong Towns approach differs. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Register for the virtual press conference where we will release the report “Beyond Blame: How Cities Can Learn From Crashes To Create Safer Streets Today.” Sign up for email updates. Learn more about the Crash Analysis Studio method. Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

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.

On this epic episode, we welcome Chuck Marohn, founder and president of Strong Towns. Chuck's bestselling new book, Escaping the Housing Trap, kicks off the conversation, which winds its way through a variety of important issues facing cities today. Topics02:33 - What is the housing trap?04:05 - Pre-Depression era housing finance08:00 - Government response to Depression vs the 2008 Housing Crisis13:15 - Supply and Demand vs Finance as causes of the housing crisis16:04 - Did we get here via High Modernism or hot fixes?  23:16 - When did we cross the Housing Trap Rubicon?26:36 - What role does the finance market play in the housing shortage?33:15 - Why doesn't the housing market doesn't respond to consumer needs like other markets?35:37 - What's wrong with demand side approaches to affordability? 38:55 - The Strong Towns approach to addressing the housing trap45:21 - How do we sell the Strong Towns approach to our community? 1:01:56 - Budgetary forests and trees1:04:19 - Chuck's has beef with sales tax1:18:17 - Why sales tax creates a higher burden for understanding your city's finance1:24:38 - What role should state government's play to help city's improve their fiscal health?Links and NotesEscaping the Housing Trap: The Strong Towns Response to the Housing CrisisStrong TownsStrong Towns EventsEscaping the Housing Trap TourSeeing Like a State by James Scott (Amazon)The case study on hotel supply Chuck mentioned (Twitter)Parkinson's Law of Triviality (Wikipedia)

In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck addresses a question he frequently gets from young people: "What educational or career path should I take if I want to build strong towns?" ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

Jennifer Krouse is a real estate strategist and the CEO of Liberty House Plans, an architectural publishing house that provides architectural plans for neighborhood-friendly buildings. Previously, she served as a business advisor to real estate developers and a consultant in the field of municipal productivity. She is a member of the National Town Builders Association and holds a BA from Williams College and an MBA from the Stockholm School of Economics. Krouse returns in this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution to dive deeper into what it means for an area to be productive. She and host Tiffany Owens Reed also discuss the importance of social capital and smart municipal investment strategies. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local recommendations: Peter Pan Donuts. Liberty House Plans. Columns Jennifer has written for Strong Towns. Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram). Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

I'd heard of Strong Towns for years, mainly through guest Jason Slaughter's Not Just Bikes video series, and finally joined the community by taking a couple of their courses. I can't recommend them enough. Chuck Marohn founded that community. He found and publicized several of their core discoveries. Some include: North American cities grow based on a Ponzi scheme, the combination of a street and a road fails at both and wrecks everything it touches, cores of cities usually make the most economic sense, and outlying areas usually sap money and vitality.I invited Chuck because of the overlap between city planning and sustainability. Over half of humans live in cities. Many can't avoid following the patterns of where to live, traffic, where to eat and shop, and how to spend money determined by their urban environment. I often say we don't need more electric cars, we need fewer roads, not that electric cars help.I also learned from reading about him and you'll hear in our conversation that I wanted to learn from his having started a community running against the mainstream values making a lot of people money. I see him as a role model in this way. We talked about it some, but then got into the Spodek Method, which I think you'll hear he enjoyed.Strong Towns web pageTheir courses (I've taken 101 and their Not Just Bikes courses so far and recommend them) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck discusses municipal finance with Michel Durand-Wood, a longtime Strong Towns contributor and local budget aficionado. They talk about the importance of the average person understanding municipal finance, the obstacles that can make such understanding difficult and how their approaches to discussing finance have changed over the years. If you want to hear more from Durand-Wood, he'll be co-hosting a Local-Motive session with Chuck on September 19, titled “Parsing Through Your Local Budget to Find Some Real Answers.” ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Michel Durand-Wood (blog). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).