The Strong Towns Podcast

This is the final episode in the Strong Towns Podcast's special Member Drive series. Every day, Chuck has read one of his best articles that you might’ve missed. Today, he’s reading one of Strong Towns’ most popular articles, “Most Public Engagement Is Worthless.” This article explores the typical methods used by city planners when collecting feedback from the public and why they often fail. Instead of focusing on what people think they want — since most of the time they don’t know themselves — planners should focus on people’s actions and then adjust their policies to compliment the way real people actually live. If you enjoy this podcast, or any of the other work Strong Towns does, become a member today. Be the change your city needs. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Become a member today! Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

This is the fourth episode in the Strong Towns Podcast's special Member Drive series. Every day, Chuck is reading one of his best articles that you might’ve missed. Today, he’s reading “If We Made Shoes Like We Make Housing, People Would Go Barefoot.” This article is an excerpt from Chuck’s most recent book “Escaping the Housing Trap,” coauthored with Daniel Herriges. It discusses how restrictions on types of housing have caused massive price spikes, wiped out starter homes and made any housing incredibly difficult to acquire. Make sure to check back in tomorrow to catch the final installment of this special series. If you enjoy this podcast, or any of the other work Strong Towns does, become a member today. Be the change your city needs. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Become a member today! Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

This is the third episode in the Strong Towns Podcast's special Member Drive series. Every day, Chuck is reading one of his best articles that you might’ve missed. Today, he’s reading “How Fannie Mae Puts a Chokehold on Local Home Financing Solutions.” This article explains how mortgage financiers rose to dominance through an “orgy of debt and price appreciation” and how they continue to twist the conversation around housing to further increase prices and debt. Make sure to check back in tomorrow to catch the next installment of this special series. If you enjoy this podcast, or any of the other work Strong Towns does, become a member today. Be the change your city needs. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Become a member today! Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

In this episode, Chuck discusses the tragic consequences of prioritizing drivers' safety over pedestrians in urban design. He highlights the need for safer streets by implementing bollards to protect vulnerable road users. The episode emphasizes the importance of advocating for pedestrian safety measures and the urgency to make impactful changes in our communities.

In honor of Member Drive, the Strong Towns Podcast is publishing five episodes this week. Every day, Chuck will read one of his best articles that you might’ve missed. Today, he’s reading “The Cost of an Extra Foot,” which explains why engineers love overdesign and what that means for cities’ finances. Make sure to check back in tomorrow to catch the next installment of this special series. If you enjoy this podcast, or any of the other work Strong Towns does, become a member today. Be the change your city needs. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Become a member today! Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

Journalist Megan Kimble discusses the social impacts of urban highway expansion in Texas cities like Austin, Dallas, and Houston. She highlights community resistance efforts, grassroots activism, displacement in minority neighborhoods, and the challenges of aligning federal and state funding for highway projects.

Chuck Marohn, President of Strong Towns, discusses urbanism topics with Kevin Klinkenberg. They explore housing traps, sports stadium logistics, and Disney World's urbanism principles. The conversation is insightful, covering the intersection of housing and finance, responsible stadium funding approaches, and Disney's design philosophy.

Delve into the tensions between YIMBYism and Strong Towns, discussing organic growth vs. planned development, balancing neighborhood development, and navigating housing as financial products. Explore regulatory hurdles in housing development, nuances of YIMBYism, and strategies for addressing the housing crisis.

Alex Alsup from Regrid discusses the ownership dynamics of the U.S. housing market, focusing on the percentage owned by non-local entities and the impact on communities. The podcast explores rental pricing algorithms, out-of-state ownership concentration, and the correlation between household income levels and non-local ownership. It also reflects on urban development in cities like Detroit and Memphis, highlighting efforts to retain residents in improving areas.

As the U.S. enters another election year—one that is certain to be contentious—we know that many Americans are going to be engrossed in the conversation about national politics. And many of our readers want to know where Strong Towns stands on the issue. In this week’s episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, host Chuck Marohn responds to this question, and promises one thing above all else: we will remain dedicated to our mission, no matter what. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Strong Towns is a bottom-up movement for change across North America. Join today! Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).