The Strong Towns Podcast

The podcast dives into the chaos of today's political climate, highlighting the stark choices between ignoring failing systems or proposing drastic measures. It cleverly presents a third route, emphasizing problem recognition and healthy solutions. Topics include the challenges of congestion pricing in New York City and the urgent need for housing reform. Listeners also hear reflections on community support during uncertain times, along with critiques of suburban development. The focus is on fostering resilience through community engagement and innovative strategies.

Seth Zeren, a neighborhood real estate developer from Providence, Rhode Island, joins the discussion on housing challenges and code reform. He offers insights on six crucial code reforms aimed at increasing housing accessibility. Zeren highlights the importance of streamlined regulations and the need for innovative housing strategies, such as duplex conversions and ADUs. They critique outdated zoning laws and advocate for collaboration between planners and developers to enhance urban planning outcomes. Providence's unique urban landscape also serves as a backdrop to the conversation.

Discover the flaws in North America's housing system that favor static neighborhoods while pushing poorer areas to transform. Explore a compelling vision for incremental change that respects cultural identities and promotes community resilience. Learn about the importance of evolving neighborhoods through regulatory reforms and local engagement. The discussion emphasizes empowering residents to take part in shaping their communities, fostering adaptable solutions to meet local needs.

In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck is joined by Victor Dover, a planner and urban designer. They discuss the work and legacy of Dr. Donald Shoup, an engineer and professor of urban planning who revolutionized the fields of urban planning and parking reform with his book “The High Cost of Free Parking.” They also talk about their own relationships with Dr. Shoup and how he impacted their work as an engineer and planner. Then, keep listening for a rerun of an interview with Dr. Shoup that Chuck had in 2015. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The High Cost of Free Parking” (Amazon). Victor Dover (LinkedIn). Chuck Marohn (Substack).

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).

Today, Chuck is joined by Ben Hunt, the creator of Epsilon Theory. Their conversation revolves around the concept of the Widening Gyre, a “profound social equilibrium where bad people and bad ideas drive out good people and good ideas.” They discuss this concept from a few different angles: How it relates to top-down systems like America’s political systems and corporations. How it has led to the loss of a national narrative and increased division and conflict. How a community-based approach that focuses on doing the right thing today is the best way out. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Hear more from Ben Hunt: “Ben Hunt: We're Not Going to Fix This from the Top Down” (podcast). “Ben Hunt: In Praise of Bitcoin” (podcast). Ben Hunt (Twitter/X). Epsilon Theory (site). Chuck Marohn (Substack).

Cullum Clark, Director of the Economic Growth Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute, dives into the intricate challenges of housing development in Dallas. He discusses the pushback against new housing projects and the importance of public engagement in shifting perceptions. Clark highlights how local leaders can drive change through innovative reforms, thus bridging the gap between community desires and development realities. Finally, he touches on the impact of upcoming political shifts on housing policy and the complexities surrounding suburban growth.

The common myth that incremental housing development is slow is debunked, revealing that smaller projects can actually enable faster growth. Insights are shared on the power of compounding effects in the housing market, urging a shift from massive developments to more manageable strategies. The conversation draws parallels between parenting and urban development, emphasizing growth challenges. Historical transformations of frontier towns illustrate rapid, incremental change, while community engagement is highlighted as crucial for navigating urban housing challenges.

Nolan Gray, Senior Director at California YIMBY and expert in city planning, joins Austin Tunnell, host of the Building Culture podcast, to explore the housing crisis. They debate the contrasting methodologies of the Strong Towns and YIMBY movements in addressing housing affordability. Key discussions include the financialization of housing markets post-2008, the effects of zoning regulations, and unique financing strategies. Both emphasize their shared goal of improving community-based solutions while navigating the complexities of construction and market dynamics.

A journey through memorable audio clips reveals significant moments in the Strong Towns movement. Reflecting on the creative evolution of the podcast, hosts share their love for talk radio and musical transitions. Humorous engineering anecdotes highlight the importance of humility in public speaking. Traffic challenges intersect with societal conspiracy theories, prompting deeper discussions on city planning. Lastly, nostalgia meets modernization as the hosts thank their audience while looking forward to new directions.