The Bottom-Up Revolution

Emily Hutcheson, a dedicated bike advocate and mom from San Antonio, Texas, shares her inspiring journey to improve local bike infrastructure. She highlights her initiatives, including a bike club and bike bus, which foster community engagement and promote cycling. Emily discusses the challenges of adapting biking culture in Texas, emphasizing the need for safer paths for families. By observing neighborhoods on bikes, she mentions how active transportation enhances children's connection to nature, making biking not just a mode of transport but a community joy.

Spencer Coyne, the mayor of Princeton, British Columbia, is passionate about community resilience and Strong Towns initiatives. He delves into how Princeton is revamping its zoning laws to better reflect modern needs, pushing for diverse housing and sustainable transportation options. Coyne also discusses the resourceful leadership required in smaller communities, emphasizing local collaboration. Finally, he shares a fascinating initiative that integrates tree planters into community life, fostering engagement and connection among residents.

Ellie Riggs, a passionate field organizer at Catawba Riverkeeper, and Ryan Carter, the organization's policy director, dive into the critical issue of stormwater management and its environmental ramifications. They highlight an upcoming stormwater management bill aimed at saving the Catawba-Wateree River basin. The duo also discusses the negative impacts of outdated parking regulations and the need for community-driven solutions. Their insights reveal the importance of grassroots advocacy in pushing for meaningful change and protecting local ecosystems.

Michael Bassili, a leader of Strong Towns Nanaimo, discusses his successful campaign to eliminate parking mandates in downtown Nanaimo. He highlights how community-driven efforts can reshape urban spaces to prioritize people over vehicles. The conversation delves into the challenges posed by outdated regulations and their impact on housing costs. Bassili shares innovative outreach strategies, including an AI-driven tool for community engagement, and emphasizes the importance of collective action in fostering sustainable urban development.

Matt Harder, founder of Civic Trust, discusses the transformative power of participatory budgeting. He shares how this innovative approach empowers citizens to influence local government spending. Harder outlines the three phases of participatory budgeting, highlighting both its benefits and challenges. Real-world examples, like a successful project in Atlanta's Candler Park, illustrate how community involvement can significantly enhance public spaces. The conversation also touches on the role of technology in making budgeting more inclusive and engaging.

Edward Erfurt, the Chief Technical Advisor for Strong Towns, shares his expertise on transformative community development. He discusses a powerful 4-step approach to public investment that emphasizes starting small and engaging local energy. Real-life examples from Sheboygan and Chisholm illustrate how communities can implement quick, impactful changes without costly renovations. From park upgrades to artistic initiatives, Erfurt shows how grassroots efforts can lead to meaningful transformation and foster community spirit.

Jake Loftis, a passionate pastor and leader of Strong Towns Blair, shares his insights on combating social isolation through community engagement. He discusses how the built environment influences loneliness and how local newspapers can drive connections. Loftis emphasizes the importance of infrastructure improvements, like safe school crosswalks, to create vibrant public spaces. Through his writings, he inspires local advocacy and encourages residents to contribute to fostering community spirit and addressing social issues.

In this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution, host Tiffany Owens Reed is joined by Chloe Groome and Aaron Feldman, co-leads of the Local Conversation group Strong Towns Chicago. They discuss the initiatives that Strong Towns Chicago is working on, including legalizing fourplexes throughout the city and getting city officials involved in tactical urbanism. They also talk about the challenges the group faces and their strategies for overcoming those difficulties, including building a coalition with other advocacy groups. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local recommendations: The winter Christkindlmarket Summer streetfests. Four Moon Tavern. Live music concerts. Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. Strong Towns Chicago (Instagram). Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram). Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

In this episode of Bottom-Up Shorts, host Norm Van Eeden Petersman is joined by Joshua Hopkins, the newly elected mayor of Chugwater, Wyoming. They discuss Hopkins’ path to becoming mayor and how he created a rodeo ring that provides a third place for his community and supports local businesses and walkability. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Tri-County Mercantile. Read more from Strong Towns about Chugwater. Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn). Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!

Sara Studdard, a community engagement expert and partner at City Thread, discusses the importance of diverse transportation options like walking, biking, and public transit in creating vibrant urban communities. She shares insights on how effective communication strategies can drive grassroots advocacy and enhance community collaboration with local governments. Studdard also highlights the exciting developments in Providence, Rhode Island, aiming for 45 miles of new bike and pedestrian infrastructure, showcasing how community involvement is key to transforming urban mobility.