The Strong Towns Podcast

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).

Bike Talk is a radio show dedicated to the idea that we need to prioritize bikes as a form of public transportation, and they recently invited Chuck to appear on an episode. It was a great conversation, and so we’re sharing that audio with you today here, as well. They discuss why it’s important to have empathy in discussions about transportation and street safety, and why leading with empathy toward drivers is a good strategy. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Listen to the original episode on Bike Talk. Bike Talk (Twitter/X; Instagram; Reddit). Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

Explore the unraveling of America's suburbs through the stories of five families seeking the American dream but facing decline. Delve into the complexities of suburban aspirations, racial disparities, and policy solutions. Reflect on the choice between revitalizing communities or perpetually seeking new horizons. Discuss challenges in suburban living, educational disparities, and the need for reevaluating traditional education models for a more equitable system.

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).