The Strong Towns Podcast

Housing prices are skyrocketing, but what can communities do? Chuck dissects the 'housing trap' and how historical mortgage practices created this mess. He highlights the shift from local-driven housing markets to financialized assets and argues for essential reforms like duplex conversions and backyard cottages. By making housing policies approachable and supportive of small developers, communities can pave the way for affordable entry-level homes. It's all about reshaping the conversation around housing to meet everyday needs.

Brian Reisinger, an author and farm consultant, shares insights on the dire state of family farms and their impact on rural communities. He talks about the generational shift in farming skills and the persistent challenges farmers face, including debt and consolidation pressures. Reisinger emphasizes the link between farm loss and the decline of small towns, while exploring innovative solutions like farm diversification and agritourism. He also highlights the potential for resurgence in rural areas spurred by new consumer interest and changes brought by the pandemic.

In a lively Q&A, experts tackle the hurdles facing small-scale housing projects, from tricky codes to financing woes. The conversation dives into the legalization of boarding houses and the lingering gray areas that leave tenants vulnerable. Strategies for cities to incentivize banks for niche lending are discussed, alongside community banks' vital role in financing affordable units. Chuck shares success stories of scaling small developments into larger projects, advocating for pre-approved plans and streamlined permitting to break down barriers in the housing market.

Ryan Short, founder of Civic Brand and author of 'The Civic Brand,' shares insights on how cities can uncover their shared identity to enhance civic pride and strengthen community engagement. He contrasts corporate branding with civic branding, emphasizing the importance of community values over mere logos. Ryan argues for continuous engagement with residents, suggesting practical strategies for deeper connections. He also highlights the necessity of integrating brand values into policymaking, ensuring that daily decisions resonate with the community's core identity.

The podcast dives deep into the financial struggles of American cities, revealing how growth can actually lead to bankruptcy. Chuck Marohn discusses the importance of incremental, bottom-up development compared to sprawling suburban growth. He highlights the impact of post-war cultural shifts and shows how older neighborhoods outperform newer ones in tax value. With practical examples like Muskegon's tactical placemaking, the episode advocates for rethinking infrastructure and reducing regulatory barriers to foster vibrant, livable communities.

Diane Alisa, author of 'A Love Letter to Suburbia', shares her journey from suburban discontent to advocating for walkable, family-oriented communities. She highlights the downsides of the suburban dream, including materialism and isolation, arguing that it may have harmed rather than helped families. Diane discusses the importance of children's experiences and how suburban design often neglects their needs. She offers three practical steps for restoring community life, emphasizing empathy and strategic storytelling to challenge entrenched views.

Chuck shares insights from a housing summit in Pennsylvania, highlighting the challenges local officials face in the housing crisis. He emphasizes the importance of reframing the crisis to empower these officials and move beyond blame. The episode features an enthusiastic audience reaction, showcasing how his message inspires action. Chuck discusses the need to scale the movement through local conversations, address membership growth challenges, and the impact of recent policy developments. He encourages listeners to take local action and support the movement.

Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Member Advocate with Strong Towns, connects local efforts worldwide, from the Bahamas to Mongolia. He discusses the power of citizen-led action versus centralized projects, emphasizing how collective understanding of street design can unite people in Colombia and Uganda. Norm shares insights on converting local conversations into action, making Strong Towns principles applicable even in unitary governments. Finally, he highlights how to empower listeners to become local change agents through community-driven experiments and toolkits.

Andres Duany, founder of the Congress for the New Urbanism and a leading urban planner, engages in a lively discussion about the evolution of urbanism. He challenges New Urbanists to learn from suburbia's cultural dominance and critiques visual preference studies that overlook genuine suburban interests. Duany emphasizes empathy in engaging NIMBYs and the importance of addressing concerns first to build credibility. He also explores innovative solutions like redesigning grids to reduce car trips and treating garages as flexible workspaces, all while reflecting on New Urbanism's struggle to maintain its gains in urban planning.

Carlee Alm-LaBar, Chief of Staff at Strong Towns, guides the organization's shift from content to action. She shares insights on managing a dynamic team and the challenges faced in evolving the movement. Notably, they discuss transforming members from passive consumers to active change-makers in their communities. Carlee emphasizes the importance of local conversations and cohort programs, fostering collaboration among leaders. With strong relationships and thoughtful prioritization, Strong Towns is poised to make a significant impact.