Strong Towns
@strongtowns.org
We're changing *everything* about the North American pattern of development. Become a member today! strongtowns.org/membership
“Tell me why I’m full of crap, over coffee.”
In 2024, Strong Towns Member Tristan Cleveland posted that message to his local subreddit. He wrote about issues like bike lanes and congestion charges for the local paper, and his opinions were not popular.
In 2024, Strong Towns Member Tristan Cleveland posted that message to his local subreddit. He wrote about issues like bike lanes and congestion charges for the local paper, and his opinions were not popular.
November 14, 2025 at 4:19 PM
“Tell me why I’m full of crap, over coffee.”
In 2024, Strong Towns Member Tristan Cleveland posted that message to his local subreddit. He wrote about issues like bike lanes and congestion charges for the local paper, and his opinions were not popular.
In 2024, Strong Towns Member Tristan Cleveland posted that message to his local subreddit. He wrote about issues like bike lanes and congestion charges for the local paper, and his opinions were not popular.
Strong Towns can help your city become Housing-Ready. Members get first looks and early access to toolkits, videos, and more. Become a member today: buff.ly/gOsUntb
November 13, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Strong Towns can help your city become Housing-Ready. Members get first looks and early access to toolkits, videos, and more. Become a member today: buff.ly/gOsUntb
3. A healthy housing market is built by many hands—and it works. When you legalize and support incremental development, you unlock the power of many hands working together to solve the housing crisis.
November 13, 2025 at 11:48 PM
3. A healthy housing market is built by many hands—and it works. When you legalize and support incremental development, you unlock the power of many hands working together to solve the housing crisis.
2. Cities must address regulations that block bottom-up responses to housing needs. Most cities have zoning codes and building regulations that stunt the local housing market. It’s a huge barrier for small-scale developers, homeowners, and local builders who want to add housing.
November 13, 2025 at 11:48 PM
2. Cities must address regulations that block bottom-up responses to housing needs. Most cities have zoning codes and building regulations that stunt the local housing market. It’s a huge barrier for small-scale developers, homeowners, and local builders who want to add housing.
To address the housing crisis from the bottom-up, we must understand:
1. We are in a Housing Trap. Housing is an investment. Investment prices must go up. Housing is shelter. When the price of shelter goes up, people experience distress.
1. We are in a Housing Trap. Housing is an investment. Investment prices must go up. Housing is shelter. When the price of shelter goes up, people experience distress.
November 13, 2025 at 11:48 PM
To address the housing crisis from the bottom-up, we must understand:
1. We are in a Housing Trap. Housing is an investment. Investment prices must go up. Housing is shelter. When the price of shelter goes up, people experience distress.
1. We are in a Housing Trap. Housing is an investment. Investment prices must go up. Housing is shelter. When the price of shelter goes up, people experience distress.
The city of Artesia, California, was struggling with a speeding problem that sent cars hurtling into parked vehicles and even houses. City staff teamed up with Strong Towns Artesia to fix the street design that made the area so dangerous.
November 13, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The city of Artesia, California, was struggling with a speeding problem that sent cars hurtling into parked vehicles and even houses. City staff teamed up with Strong Towns Artesia to fix the street design that made the area so dangerous.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Join the movement and help make our streets safe for all users. buff.ly/na8Qga9
November 12, 2025 at 11:48 PM
It doesn’t have to be this way. Join the movement and help make our streets safe for all users. buff.ly/na8Qga9
We fundamentally misunderstand these things about streets:
1. Streets are a liability, not an asset.
2. Street design is the primary factor in crash prevention and safety.
3. Streets should prioritize human movement, not automobile movement.
1. Streets are a liability, not an asset.
2. Street design is the primary factor in crash prevention and safety.
3. Streets should prioritize human movement, not automobile movement.
November 12, 2025 at 11:48 PM
We fundamentally misunderstand these things about streets:
1. Streets are a liability, not an asset.
2. Street design is the primary factor in crash prevention and safety.
3. Streets should prioritize human movement, not automobile movement.
1. Streets are a liability, not an asset.
2. Street design is the primary factor in crash prevention and safety.
3. Streets should prioritize human movement, not automobile movement.
Bus stops in Buffalo, New York, often lack any kind of seating. It’s a daily struggle for people who rely on public transit, as they’re forced to wait for long periods of time with nowhere to rest.
November 12, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Bus stops in Buffalo, New York, often lack any kind of seating. It’s a daily struggle for people who rely on public transit, as they’re forced to wait for long periods of time with nowhere to rest.
We can help end these outdated rules together. Join the Strong Towns movement and make change happen in your local community. buff.ly/jjVRETg
November 11, 2025 at 11:48 PM
We can help end these outdated rules together. Join the Strong Towns movement and make change happen in your local community. buff.ly/jjVRETg
Parking mandates stifle the creation of homes and businesses. They cost the city money by making destinations farther and farther apart; you end up with more streets and roads per capita, more stormwater runoff to manage, and more liabilities on the city’s books.
November 11, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Parking mandates stifle the creation of homes and businesses. They cost the city money by making destinations farther and farther apart; you end up with more streets and roads per capita, more stormwater runoff to manage, and more liabilities on the city’s books.
Crashes aren’t accidents—they’re the predictable result of streets designed to forgive high-speed driving, even if that means putting people in harm’s way.
Take, for example, this area of Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Take, for example, this area of Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
November 11, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Crashes aren’t accidents—they’re the predictable result of streets designed to forgive high-speed driving, even if that means putting people in harm’s way.
Take, for example, this area of Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Take, for example, this area of Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The bottom line is: financial decisions should reflect the values and priorities of the community, not the incentives of outside systems.
This is complex work. Being a Strong Towns member can make it clearer. buff.ly/Igs66tQ
This is complex work. Being a Strong Towns member can make it clearer. buff.ly/Igs66tQ
November 10, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The bottom line is: financial decisions should reflect the values and priorities of the community, not the incentives of outside systems.
This is complex work. Being a Strong Towns member can make it clearer. buff.ly/Igs66tQ
This is complex work. Being a Strong Towns member can make it clearer. buff.ly/Igs66tQ
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.
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.
And in Baltimore, Mayor Brandon Scott signed four bills that “remove requirements for off-street parking, allow people to build closer to the edges of their property lines, and eliminate a requirement that new buildings between four and six stories have more than one stairwell.”
November 5, 2025 at 11:48 PM
And in Baltimore, Mayor Brandon Scott signed four bills that “remove requirements for off-street parking, allow people to build closer to the edges of their property lines, and eliminate a requirement that new buildings between four and six stories have more than one stairwell.”
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.
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.
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.