Upzoned

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.

The city of Los Angeles recently announced that it saved 1,600 jobs that were at risk of being cut to balance its $1 billion budget deficit. But did it actually fix anything, or is it just shuffling money around to hide the problem? What role do unions play? And what should cities actually do when facing a major budget deficit? Strong Towns Chief Technical Advisor Edward Erfurt dives into these questions with guest host Norm Van Eeden Petersman in this episode of Upzoned. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Mayor Bass says layoffs averted after labor negotiations, "creative solutions" for next year city budget” by Chelsea Hylton, CBS News (September 2025). Finance Decoder Become a Strong Towns member to access weekly Ask Strong Towns Anything sessions. Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

The Tulsa Remote program pays remote workers $10,000 to relocate to Tulsa for a year. A study found that, for every dollar spent, Tulsa sees $4.31 in economic benefits, including increased local spending, tax revenue, and job creation. Abby is joined by John Pattinson, Strong Towns’ community builder, discuss whether this kind of program is a smart way to boost the local economy. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “The Economic Benefits of Paying Workers to Move” by Rthvika Suvarna and Fola Akinnibi, Bloomberg CityLab (May 2025).‍ Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).‍‍ Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

A surge of homes may flood the market as baby boomers downsize, potentially outstripping demand by a million units. The hosts delve into the implications of demographic shifts on housing stability and the risks of an oversimplified construction mantra. They discuss the need for diverse housing solutions that cater to various lifestyles, while exploring financial incentives that hinder adaptive housing. Interestingly, they even touch upon NASA's findings on ancient life on Mars, weaving together an engaging narrative about housing and beyond.

For years, investors and speculators shaped Canada's housing market. But now, people who actually live in those homes are beginning to have more influence. Today, Abby is joined by Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Strong Towns' director of membership and a Canadian, to discuss how this shift happened, how it'll affect Canada's housing market, and the implications for the rest of North America. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “End-users, rather than investors, expected to drive Vancouver housing market higher” by Kerry Gold, The Globe and Mail (September 2025).‍ Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).‍ 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.

Several high-profile members of the government have been accused of committing mortgage fraud recently, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. Today, Chuck and Abby explore how mortgage fraud distorts the housing market, why it happens so frequently — and why no one in the financial system is interested in stopping it. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Ken Paxton Claimed Three Houses as His Primary Residence, Records Show” by Pooja Salhotra, The New York Times (July 2025). “Mortgage-Fraud Accusations Are Trump’s New Political Weapon” by Gina Heeb and Brian Schwartz, The Wall Street Journal (August 2025). Chuck Marohn (Substack) Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

In this insightful discussion, John Pattison, a community builder with Strong Towns, shares his expertise on the innovative concept of sponge cities. He explores how these urban designs, inspired by nature, aim to tackle flooding and enhance stormwater management. The conversation dives into the balance between ambitious infrastructure and gradual improvements. Pattison highlights real-world examples, like Copenhagen, showcasing how integrating green space can lead to resilient communities. This blend of nature and urban planning is positioned as a promising solution for future cities.

Data centers power everything from cloud computing to artificial intelligence, and they use a massive amount of electricity, sometimes even rivaling major cities. Watchdogs claim that tech companies aren’t absorbing the costs of this electricity use, causing rate payers’ electricity bills to spike as they’re forced to subsidize these data centers. Today, Edward and Abby discuss the far-reaching implications of this kind of land use. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “As electric bills rise, evidence mounts that data centers share blame. States feel pressure to act.” by Marc Levy, AP News (August 2025). Want to bring the conversation to your community? Book Edward as a speaker. Abby Newsham (X/Twitter). Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Join Katy Claggett, a small-scale developer and commercial real estate appraiser from Kansas City, as she dives into Colorado's looming senior housing crisis. With one in five residents soon to be over 65, Katy discusses the urgent need for adaptable living spaces. Learn how seniors are trapped in oversized homes and the impact on younger families. Discover innovative solutions like co-op housing and shared living arrangements, and hear about the importance of community-focused advocacy to reshape the housing market for all ages.

Edward Erfurt, chief technical advisor at Strong Towns, dives into the slow recovery process in Los Angeles post-wildfires. He discusses the complexities of rebuilding in fire-prone areas, particularly the impact of suspended environmental regulations. Erfurt highlights the political and bureaucratic hurdles that homeowners face in securing permits. He also calls for a reevaluation of laws like CEQA to better balance environmental needs with urgent community demands during crises. Additionally, he draws parallels between human behavior and rat studies to shed light on recovery challenges.