Upzoned

Utah wants to override local zoning to boost housing supply, but allowed by right doesn't mean possible in practice. Abby and Edward dig into the hidden barriers — complicated permits, scarce financing, and broken systems — that stop housing from actually getting built. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES "Utah’s Governor Suggests Overriding Local Zoning. Could His Plan Solve—or Shatter—the State’s Housing Future?" by Allaire Conte, Realtor.com (November 2025) "Why State Housing Reform is Failing (and What We Can Do About It)" by Edward Erfurt Abby Newsham (X/Twitter) Edward Erfurt (LinkedIn) Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Who decides when community traditions change? Lafayette, Louisiana, recently rerouted its Mardi Gras parade. The goal was to improve public safety, but the change left neighborhoods, businesses, and long-standing customs in the lurch. Guest host Norm Van Eeden Petersman sits down with Lafayette resident and former city staffer Carlee Alm-LaBar to explore how communities can navigate change while respecting culture and shared ownership. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES "Residents, krewes, downtown businesses weigh in on Jefferson Street Mardi Gras parade route" by Stephen Marcantel, The Acadiana Advocate (November 2025) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Last week, we heard how DC's outdoor dining regulations threaten local businesses. Today, urban designers Abby Newsham and Edward Erfurt explore how DC could course-correct. They share creative ways that cities can maintain safety while supporting local businesses and even improving the design of their streets. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES "After five years, D.C. streateries hit with higher costs and more rules" by By Tim Carman and Rachel Weiner, The Washington Post (November 2025) Painting of a food hall street (Passeig de l'Escultor Miquel Blay, Olot, Espana by Abby Newsham) Abby Newsham (X/Twitter) Edward Erfurt (LinkedIn) Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Carlee Alm-LaBar, a former city official instrumental in implementing outdoor dining programs, joins host Norm Van Eeden Petersman to discuss D.C.'s new fees for outdoor dining. They explore the critical role streateries played during the pandemic and weigh the economic benefits against the concerns of public space usage. Carlee shares insights on managing complaints and the lessons learned from Lafayette's parklet program. Both stress the necessity for thoughtful regulations that support local businesses while enhancing public spaces.

Join Carlee Alm-LaBar, Chief of Staff at Strong Towns, and John Reuter, former city council member, as they dive into grassroots efforts transforming communities. They share inspiring stories of housing innovations like Monty Anderson's 'Roommate House' and creative solutions, such as curb chalking for pedestrian safety in San Diego. The conversation highlights the significance of community involvement in implementing policies and eliminating unnecessary parking mandates to boost local businesses. Tune in for practical tips on strengthening neighborhoods!

Asia Mieleszko, editor at Strong Towns and host of Stacked Against Us, joins to explore the implications of Elon Musk's data centers in Memphis. They discuss the allure of 'shiny object urbanism' and why cities often chase flashy projects without considering long-term sustainability. Asia emphasizes the risks of cities becoming overly reliant on single large taxpayers and the pitfalls of rapid approvals that limit community input. They suggest that incremental development could be a more effective strategy for fostering resilient urban spaces.

Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Director of Membership at Strong Towns, dives into the contentious fate of the historic bridges between Brattleboro and Hinsdale. He explores the unique challenges faced by both towns, including New Hampshire's hesitance to fund maintenance amidst safety concerns. Norm suggests innovative solutions like incremental activations, potential community-driven initiatives, and transforming these spaces into vibrant public amenities. The discussion also touches on the importance of civic engagement and economic implications tied to the bridge reopening.

Carlee Alm-LaBar, chief of staff at Strong Towns and former city staff in Lafayette, dives into the challenges of mall decline and its impact on communities. She discusses how 720,000 square feet of vacant mall space can create budget issues and blight. Carlee highlights the nostalgia behind mall construction and the mismatched scale between large malls and small towns. They debate the effectiveness of redeveloping these sites for housing and emphasize the need for supporting local developers and breaking large properties into smaller parcels.

Norm Van Eeden-Petersman, an expert from Strong Towns, discusses the contrasting housing strategies of Littleton and Lakewood, Colorado. He highlights Littleton’s restrictive approach to single-family homes versus Lakewood’s push for diverse housing options. The conversation dives into how suburban zoning laws create barriers to development and the emotional resistance to change. Norm advocates for targeted reforms and incremental housing solutions, cautioning against the long-term consequences of Littleton's measures while emphasizing the need for collaborative community planning.

U.S. public transit could face collapse by 2026 due to dwindling federal funding. The hosts discuss transit's vital role in mobility and space efficiency, especially for those unable to drive. They debate whether transit should be treated as a charity or essential infrastructure. Acknowledging design failures, they advocate for local solutions and decision-making. The conversation highlights the fragility of transit compared to roadways, stressing that vulnerable communities will suffer first if it fails. The suburban growth model is called into question as they explore future funding alternatives.