The Bottom-Up Revolution

Eric Higbee is a landscape architect and educator at the University of Washington, focusing on community design and engagement. In this discussion, he emphasizes the necessity of genuine community involvement for resilient towns. Highlighting the pitfalls of traditional approaches, Eric advocates for collaborative, grassroots initiatives like community gardens that foster social ties and civic pride. He also examines how technology influences engagement and the importance of strong local connections, encouraging a redefined approach to community interaction.

Kevin McDonnell, the mayor of Petaluma, California, and community advocate Dave Alden discuss the innovative Know Before You Grow initiative. This grassroots effort aims to promote smart development by enhancing local awareness about housing policies. They highlight the push for building in downtown Petaluma, where infrastructure supports growth. The conversation also underscores the importance of constructive community dialogue and leadership, emphasizing that informed citizens play a crucial role in shaping resilient urban spaces.

Dr. Patricia Tice has been an transportation engineer, planner, researcher and self-proclaimed geek for nearly 30 years. She spent the first decade of her career doing hundreds of traffic impact studies. In 2011, she started her own consulting firm and, a few years later, completed a PhD in transportation engineering. In this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution, Patricia talks about her research into human behavior, as well as the role of human interaction and LEGO in urban design. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Read more from Patricia on her Substack ProFound City Insights Local Recommendations: Winter Garden Farmers Market Way Chocolate and Coffee Scoops Old Fashioned Ice Cream Market to Table Restaurant Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

Vignesh Swaminathan, an engineer and transportation planner with over 1.7 million TikTok followers, shares his insights on urban infrastructure. He discusses the critical connection between transportation and housing in California's neighborhoods. Vignesh highlights his innovative quick-build projects that enhance mobility and community engagement. He emphasizes the role of social media in making urban planning accessible and relatable, aiming to foster better communication and participation in local governance. The conversation also touches on urban innovations in San Jose.

Danny Wind, a Local Conversation leader and Regional Transportation Commission member from Lake County, California, discusses the transformative Open Street Map Project. This initiative empowers residents to document their everyday transportation struggles, highlighting the importance of keen observation in urban planning. Danny emphasizes the necessity of inclusive community engagement and how collaboration can lead to meaningful change. By fostering relationships and advocating for improvement, he reveals how small actions can dramatically enhance local infrastructure and accessibility.

Noah Roth is the founder of Streetcraft, a platform that uses visual storytelling and urban design to explore and improve the built environment. He joins Tiffany to talk about what led him to this form of advocacy, how visualizations can bring people on board with a project, and what he’s learned since starting his platform. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Want to hear more from Noah? Get your National Gathering tickets today! Streetcraft (YouTube) Local Recommendations: Sleeping Bear National Dunes The Flying Noodle Farm Club Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

Danny Lapin is a revitalization specialist with the New York State Department of State. He and Norm discuss the ways that New York state is encouraging bottom-up community development, as well as Danny’s strategies for getting buy-in from communities that are wary of state programs or intervention. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Danny Lapin (LinkedIn) Read more about Danny: “A Strong Towns Voice in State Government” Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn). Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

Rachel Leonardo is the video producer at Strong Towns. She has a bachelor’s degree in architecture and specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, actionable ideas that inspire local change. Rachel and Tiffany discuss the importance of collaboration in building great places that foster community, culture, and connection. They explore how social media can encourage that collaboration and how it intersects with Strong Towns’ mission. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Want to hear more from Rachel? Get your National Gathering tickets today! See Rachel’s work: Studio Leonardo (YouTube) Strong Towns (YouTube) Local Recommendations: Bar Casa Jesus Mari Posada de Sorauren   Gosaria Coffee Shop Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

Hazen Elwood is a student, a member of Strong Towns Calgary (in Alberta, Canada), and a community manager with the organization For the City. Today, Norm and Hazen discuss ways to build an advocacy network and the power of raising local awareness through storytelling. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Unsprawling (site) Calgary made it to the Elite Eight in this year’s Strongest Town Contest. There are many great lessons that cities of all sizes can learn from their hard work. Click here to read more about their progress. Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn). Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

Justine Underhill is an elected city council member in Falls Church, Virginia, and an award-winning video journalist and independent filmmaker. She’s worked for international and domestic news organizations, created an award-winning docuseries, and started an educational YouTube channel. Justine joins Tiffany to discuss how media can be used to connect with people and drive change. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Want to hear more from Justine? Get your National Gathering tickets today! Learn more about Justine’s work: YouTube Channel Falls Church Forward Local Recommendations: Panjshir Restaurant  Saturday morning farmer's market Cherry Hill Park Northside Social Café Kindred Godfreys Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!