The Strong Towns Podcast

Exploring the impact of philanthropy on building Strong Towns, focusing on innovative infrastructure and equitable funding. Discussing the tension between small and large projects, revitalizing neglected neighborhoods, and the role of data in city governance.

Journalist and author Sam Quinones returns to the Strong Towns Podcast for the third time to discuss a recent, moving article he’s written for The Free Press: “Opioids Decimated a Kentucky Town. Recovering Addicts Are Saving It.” It’s the story of Hazard, a small town that was hit hard by the decline of coal mining and the rise of the opioid epidemic—and yet its residents aren’t letting their town go down without a fight. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Opioids Decimated a Kentucky Town. Recovering Addicts Are Saving It,” by Sam Quinones, The Free Press (February 2024). Sam Quinones (Twitter/X). Sam Quinones (website). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

Join Tony Jordan and Chris Meyer as they discuss their efforts in advocating for parking reform, aiming to prioritize people over parking. From eliminating parking mandates in Minnesota to building coalitions for change, they highlight the impact of parking policy on housing, equity, and the environment, urging bipartisan support for reform.

Urban scholar Eric Goldwyn discusses the importance of well-funded transit systems for cities, challenges in funding transit projects in the US, and compares transit costs between Italy and the US. He emphasizes the need for expertise in government transit projects, efficiency in infrastructure building, and the drawbacks of design build contracts. The conversation also touches on Goldwyn's work and availability for interaction, with a fun discussion on baseball team preferences thrown in.

One of the most egregious highway expansion projects we’ve encountered is the I-35 project in Austin, Texas. A lot of good people have been fighting it for a long time, and on this week’s episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, host Chuck Marohn will be talking with two of them: Adam Greenfield and Bobby Levinski. They’re both part of the grassroots movement Rethink35, which is working with other local organizations to file a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Transportation over their plans to expand I-35. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn more about Rethink35’s work on their website. Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

Dr. Shima Hamidi, a researcher at Johns Hopkins, challenges traditional traffic design by suggesting that narrow and curvy roads are safer. The podcast explores how street design affects driver behavior, the benefits of narrowing lanes for lively and safer streets, and the consequences of transportation planning on public health.

Chuck Marohn discusses his unique experience participating in a bill presentation at the Minnesota state capital, endorsing a bill that eliminates parking mandates. He reflects on the decision-making process, explores the top-down nature of both political parties, and discusses the negative impact of parking mandates on cities and small businesses.

Chuck Marohn discusses with Joe Minicozzi whether there are any instances where sprawl is actually good. They explore the concept of sprawl in Boston, analyze the impact of development practices, and delve into the case for sprawl. They also discuss delayed gratification, the tragedy of the commons, and the importance of long-term thinking.

In this episode, the host visits Buc-ee's, a massive gas station in Texas, highlighting the issue of overbuilt infrastructure. The chapter also discusses similarities between Texas and California. The host then reads member comments expressing support and gratitude for Strong Towns' work. The speaker reflects on their experiences and the benefits of becoming a Strong Towns member, expressing gratitude to listeners contributing to the movement.

The podcast discusses the importance of in-person meetings in creating meaningful impact in local communities and introduces a new program launching in 2022. It also explores innovative initiatives happening in a community, such as a tax on homes selling over a million dollars to fund affordable housing. The speaker encourages listeners to contribute to the strong towns movement and highlights the impact of membership support on various initiatives.