Upzoned Suburbs Broke the American Sunbelt. Now What?
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Jul 16, 2025 Rachel Leonardo, a video producer at Strong Towns with a keen eye for architecture, joins the discussion on the changing landscape of the American Sunbelt. They explore how rigid zoning and suburban sprawl are leading to rising housing costs and stagnation. Rachel advocates for innovative solutions that prioritize community resilience. The conversation also touches on the need for adaptable living arrangements and local initiatives to enhance urban vitality, blending creativity with practicality in urban design.
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Sprawl's Past Benefits, Present Limits
- Sprawl provided benefits post-WWII but rigid suburban development patterns now hinder growth and adaptability.
- Cities need to evolve from fixed mindsets to address natural urban life cycles.
Financial Resilience vs Sprawl
- Financial resilience conversations in Sunbelt cities are increasing despite sprawling growth models.
- Incremental, small-scale growth is challenging due to competing regional and funding priorities.
Support Incremental, Local Change
- Embrace scrappy, incremental developers who take risks on unconventional projects.
- Change requires grassroots effort, adaptable leadership, and rejection of one-size-fits-all solutions.
