Strong Towns
@strongtowns.org
We're changing *everything* about the North American pattern of development. Become a member today! strongtowns.org/membership
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Strong Towns
@strongtowns.org
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This is just the beginning of Stacked Against Us, our new podcast on the housing crisis. Join host Asia Mieleszko as she explores how a national gamble broke housing, and why local resilience is the only way forward.
The Growth Ponzi Scheme:
A city builds new infrastructure. That development brings in some quick revenue.
But the long-term cost of maintaining all that infrastructure is far greater than the revenue it generates. So when the bills come due, the city doesn’t have any money.
A city builds new infrastructure. That development brings in some quick revenue.
But the long-term cost of maintaining all that infrastructure is far greater than the revenue it generates. So when the bills come due, the city doesn’t have any money.
November 10, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The Growth Ponzi Scheme:
A city builds new infrastructure. That development brings in some quick revenue.
But the long-term cost of maintaining all that infrastructure is far greater than the revenue it generates. So when the bills come due, the city doesn’t have any money.
A city builds new infrastructure. That development brings in some quick revenue.
But the long-term cost of maintaining all that infrastructure is far greater than the revenue it generates. So when the bills come due, the city doesn’t have any money.
Reposted by Strong Towns
This is such an easy solution to a problem and will save lives.
Having a four-lane, 40-mph road next to an elementary school is a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, residents of Cedar Park, Texas, recently got the design of this street changed so students can get to school safely.
November 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This is such an easy solution to a problem and will save lives.
Reposted by Strong Towns
The Before looks like every road next to a school in Regina. Funny that 🤔
Having a four-lane, 40-mph road next to an elementary school is a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, residents of Cedar Park, Texas, recently got the design of this street changed so students can get to school safely.
November 10, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The Before looks like every road next to a school in Regina. Funny that 🤔
Reposted by Strong Towns
The "Before" looks just like Bob Wallace where Morris Elementary is. These road changes can and should be made. I have seen multiple close calls already in front of the school because of the unsafe design of the road.
Having a four-lane, 40-mph road next to an elementary school is a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, residents of Cedar Park, Texas, recently got the design of this street changed so students can get to school safely.
November 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
The "Before" looks just like Bob Wallace where Morris Elementary is. These road changes can and should be made. I have seen multiple close calls already in front of the school because of the unsafe design of the road.
Reposted by Strong Towns
www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025...
@strongtowns.org national taking aim at some questionable investments in a sprawling part of Salem, OR
@strongtowns.org national taking aim at some questionable investments in a sprawling part of Salem, OR
The $28 Million “Improvement” That Makes Salem Poorer | Strong Towns
This project in Salem, Oregon, shows how federal funding rewards cities for optimistic benefit-cost narratives, not fiscal health or return on investment analysis.
www.strongtowns.org
November 8, 2025 at 5:18 AM
www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025...
@strongtowns.org national taking aim at some questionable investments in a sprawling part of Salem, OR
@strongtowns.org national taking aim at some questionable investments in a sprawling part of Salem, OR
Reposted by Strong Towns
Speed cameras catch speeders. Better design actually prevents them.
Having a four-lane, 40-mph road next to an elementary school is a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, residents of Cedar Park, Texas, recently got the design of this street changed so students can get to school safely.
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Speed cameras catch speeders. Better design actually prevents them.
Having a four-lane, 40-mph road next to an elementary school is a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, residents of Cedar Park, Texas, recently got the design of this street changed so students can get to school safely.
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Having a four-lane, 40-mph road next to an elementary school is a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, residents of Cedar Park, Texas, recently got the design of this street changed so students can get to school safely.
We’re going global 🌏🌍🌎
On November 14, connect with Strong Towns members from around the world for a special Member Week gathering celebrating the global reach of this movement for financially resilient places.
On November 14, connect with Strong Towns members from around the world for a special Member Week gathering celebrating the global reach of this movement for financially resilient places.
November 7, 2025 at 4:19 PM
We’re going global 🌏🌍🌎
On November 14, connect with Strong Towns members from around the world for a special Member Week gathering celebrating the global reach of this movement for financially resilient places.
On November 14, connect with Strong Towns members from around the world for a special Member Week gathering celebrating the global reach of this movement for financially resilient places.
Western Strong Towns Members: this one’s for you!
On November 13, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Western U.S. for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
On November 13, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Western U.S. for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
November 6, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Western Strong Towns Members: this one’s for you!
On November 13, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Western U.S. for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
On November 13, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Western U.S. for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
Calling all Midwest Strong Towns Members! On November 12, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Midwest for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
November 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Calling all Midwest Strong Towns Members! On November 12, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Midwest for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
Two cities are now closer to being Housing-Ready!
Denver is cleaning up the process for the next smallest increment of development. Accessory Dwelling Units — like mother-in-law suites, casitas, and more — are now permitted in all zoning districts that allow residential use.
Denver is cleaning up the process for the next smallest increment of development. Accessory Dwelling Units — like mother-in-law suites, casitas, and more — are now permitted in all zoning districts that allow residential use.
November 5, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Two cities are now closer to being Housing-Ready!
Denver is cleaning up the process for the next smallest increment of development. Accessory Dwelling Units — like mother-in-law suites, casitas, and more — are now permitted in all zoning districts that allow residential use.
Denver is cleaning up the process for the next smallest increment of development. Accessory Dwelling Units — like mother-in-law suites, casitas, and more — are now permitted in all zoning districts that allow residential use.
Reposted by Strong Towns
Our Executive Director, Laura Foote, recently appeared on The @strongtowns.org podcast to discuss the U.S. housing crisis and what it will take to fix broken incentives to build more homes.
Listen to the episode here:
open.spotify.com/episode/5L7f...
Listen to the episode here:
open.spotify.com/episode/5L7f...
Broken Incentives Made the Housing Crisis. How Do We Fix Them?
open.spotify.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Our Executive Director, Laura Foote, recently appeared on The @strongtowns.org podcast to discuss the U.S. housing crisis and what it will take to fix broken incentives to build more homes.
Listen to the episode here:
open.spotify.com/episode/5L7f...
Listen to the episode here:
open.spotify.com/episode/5L7f...
Hello, Southern Strong Towns members!
On November 12, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Southern U.S. for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
On November 12, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Southern U.S. for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
November 4, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Hello, Southern Strong Towns members!
On November 12, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Southern U.S. for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
On November 12, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Southern U.S. for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
On November 10, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Eastern U.S. for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
November 3, 2025 at 11:48 PM
On November 10, join fellow Strong Towns members from across the Eastern U.S. for a lively Member Week gathering focused on connection, conversation, and community.
Prosperity depends on the small things.
The way a building meets the street. The way light falls on a bench. The way a park feels after dark. Those details shape whether people feel safe, whether they linger, whether they come back.
The way a building meets the street. The way light falls on a bench. The way a park feels after dark. Those details shape whether people feel safe, whether they linger, whether they come back.
November 3, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Prosperity depends on the small things.
The way a building meets the street. The way light falls on a bench. The way a park feels after dark. Those details shape whether people feel safe, whether they linger, whether they come back.
The way a building meets the street. The way light falls on a bench. The way a park feels after dark. Those details shape whether people feel safe, whether they linger, whether they come back.
Strong Towns San Diego has been generating some buzz lately!
On January 1, 2025, California’s daylighting law (AB 413) went into effect, making it illegal to park within 20 feet of crosswalks.
On January 1, 2025, California’s daylighting law (AB 413) went into effect, making it illegal to park within 20 feet of crosswalks.
October 31, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Strong Towns San Diego has been generating some buzz lately!
On January 1, 2025, California’s daylighting law (AB 413) went into effect, making it illegal to park within 20 feet of crosswalks.
On January 1, 2025, California’s daylighting law (AB 413) went into effect, making it illegal to park within 20 feet of crosswalks.
Reposted by Strong Towns
Looks like the previous #Calgary #CityCouncil took many if not most of the right steps towards more #housing for Calgarians. Given that many newly elected councilors used big words around housing in their campaigns, may we trust them to continue the good work?
Image from @strongtowns.org toolkit
Image from @strongtowns.org toolkit
October 30, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Looks like the previous #Calgary #CityCouncil took many if not most of the right steps towards more #housing for Calgarians. Given that many newly elected councilors used big words around housing in their campaigns, may we trust them to continue the good work?
Image from @strongtowns.org toolkit
Image from @strongtowns.org toolkit
Marion, Ohio, didn’t land a massive new employer or pour millions into a downtown megaproject. Instead, it found strength in something much more powerful: people choosing to make their place better in whatever way they can.
October 31, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Marion, Ohio, didn’t land a massive new employer or pour millions into a downtown megaproject. Instead, it found strength in something much more powerful: people choosing to make their place better in whatever way they can.
Forcing developers to include a minimum amount of parking can add tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to the cost of a project.
This is one of the reasons why repealing parking mandates is part of the 6 strategies for becoming a Housing-Ready City.
This is one of the reasons why repealing parking mandates is part of the 6 strategies for becoming a Housing-Ready City.
October 30, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Forcing developers to include a minimum amount of parking can add tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to the cost of a project.
This is one of the reasons why repealing parking mandates is part of the 6 strategies for becoming a Housing-Ready City.
This is one of the reasons why repealing parking mandates is part of the 6 strategies for becoming a Housing-Ready City.
Reposted by Strong Towns
Marion (one of our great Reinvention Cities) has picked itself up by the bootstraps and is working to revitalize one step at a time. That work earned it the recognition as the @strongtowns.org Strong Town of the Year. Now everyone can learn about the work 💪👇 academy.strongtowns.org/p/strongestt...
How to do a Lot with a Little: Lessons from a Strongest Town Winner
Join on November 6
academy.strongtowns.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Marion (one of our great Reinvention Cities) has picked itself up by the bootstraps and is working to revitalize one step at a time. That work earned it the recognition as the @strongtowns.org Strong Town of the Year. Now everyone can learn about the work 💪👇 academy.strongtowns.org/p/strongestt...
Reposted by Strong Towns
"Paint, cones, and bollards may not be permanent, but they save lives. Low-cost, rapid interventions let staff test improvements and build momentum for longer-term fixes without depleting their budget."
Thanks @strongtowns.org for the Rochester shout out! www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025...
Thanks @strongtowns.org for the Rochester shout out! www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025...
How Cities Can Make Streets Safer Before a Crisis Hits | Strong Towns
With limited budgets and staff time, cities often reserve their safety interventions for the most dangerous locations. But that doesn't mean other areas are safe.
www.strongtowns.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"Paint, cones, and bollards may not be permanent, but they save lives. Low-cost, rapid interventions let staff test improvements and build momentum for longer-term fixes without depleting their budget."
Thanks @strongtowns.org for the Rochester shout out! www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025...
Thanks @strongtowns.org for the Rochester shout out! www.strongtowns.org/journal/2025...
Take a close look at the assessed value per acre for this area of South Charleston, West Virginia.
With the interstate running through the city, there’s a chance to compare two different patterns of development.
With the interstate running through the city, there’s a chance to compare two different patterns of development.
October 30, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Take a close look at the assessed value per acre for this area of South Charleston, West Virginia.
With the interstate running through the city, there’s a chance to compare two different patterns of development.
With the interstate running through the city, there’s a chance to compare two different patterns of development.
We passed a major milestone recently: 1,000,000 downloads of Upzoned!
Thank you to our listeners for joining in the conversation on hot news stories that must be upzoned—discussed in depth. We have a feeling that you might like our other podcasts, too.
Thank you to our listeners for joining in the conversation on hot news stories that must be upzoned—discussed in depth. We have a feeling that you might like our other podcasts, too.
October 29, 2025 at 10:48 PM
We passed a major milestone recently: 1,000,000 downloads of Upzoned!
Thank you to our listeners for joining in the conversation on hot news stories that must be upzoned—discussed in depth. We have a feeling that you might like our other podcasts, too.
Thank you to our listeners for joining in the conversation on hot news stories that must be upzoned—discussed in depth. We have a feeling that you might like our other podcasts, too.
If you’ve ever struggled to get a group together — and grow — to make change happen in your community, this Local-Motive session is for you.
Alyssa Lee shares practical tools for turning one-time advocacy participants into committed collaborators.
Alyssa Lee shares practical tools for turning one-time advocacy participants into committed collaborators.
October 29, 2025 at 3:19 PM
If you’ve ever struggled to get a group together — and grow — to make change happen in your community, this Local-Motive session is for you.
Alyssa Lee shares practical tools for turning one-time advocacy participants into committed collaborators.
Alyssa Lee shares practical tools for turning one-time advocacy participants into committed collaborators.
Reposted by Strong Towns
Oak Forest City Council just voted 3-1 to create an ADU pilot program. We're optimistic this will turn into another big win for the @strongtowns.org movement! This is a great first step, but we need to prove viability for this to become housing policy. #missingmiddle #adu #housing #strongtowns
October 29, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Oak Forest City Council just voted 3-1 to create an ADU pilot program. We're optimistic this will turn into another big win for the @strongtowns.org movement! This is a great first step, but we need to prove viability for this to become housing policy. #missingmiddle #adu #housing #strongtowns