The Bottom-Up Revolution

Mark Hoppen, a former city manager and Strong Towns member, shares his insights on local governance and community leadership. He discusses the importance of community involvement in urban planning while balancing growth and local character. Mark highlights transformative projects like the Gig Harbor Boatshop that enhance public engagement and preserve history. He also emphasizes collaborative community efforts and the ideal traits for local leaders, blending progressive thinking with practical solutions for stronger communities.

Kat Vellos, an author and connection coach, explores the complexities of adult friendships and the impact of urban design on social connections. She shares insights on building community, emphasizing how our environments can either foster or hinder relationships. Kat discusses innovative strategies to combat loneliness, such as reimagining public spaces for spontaneous interaction and promoting local engagement. Through personal anecdotes and local initiatives, she inspires listeners to cultivate meaningful connections and enrich their communities.

Explore how Edmonton is tackling derelict properties through innovative solutions and a groundbreaking Derelict Tax Subclass. Ashley Salvador shares insights on promoting safer neighborhoods and the importance of accountability for property owners. Discover the role of local governance in community revitalization and how grassroots involvement leads to transformation. Learn about proactive initiatives that engage residents and foster sustainable practices in urban planning, encouraging a vibrant, safer community.

Jeral Poskey, the founder and CEO of Swyft Cities, discusses his groundbreaking approach to urban transportation. With a rich background at Google, he dives into how his company is tackling major city challenges like traffic jams and parking woes. The conversation explores innovative on-demand transport systems that prioritize user needs over traditional routes, while emphasizing the importance of integrating new technologies for sustainable urban development. Jeral's vision could redefine how cities navigate transportation and connectivity.

Alicia Pederson, a passionate advocate for courtyard urbanism, discusses its potential for transforming urban spaces into family-friendly environments. She highlights how mixed-use buildings around shared courtyards can enhance community living by providing both privacy and social interaction. Alicia also shares strategies for promoting this innovative development style, especially in underserved areas, and delves into the lessons learned from Chicago's housing initiatives. Tune in for insights on creating vibrant, sustainable neighborhoods!

Meet Burhan Azeem, a city councilor in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A graduate of MIT, he’s the youngest councilor in the city’s history and has a special focus on housing affordability and street safety. Burhan has successfully expanded zoning for affordable housing, removed parking minimums, and helped build bike lanes throughout the city. He also helped found a nonprofit that impacts housing policy on the state level. Today, he and Tiffany sit down to discuss how he got to this point and what he’s working on next. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Café 1369 Kendall Rooftop Garden Greenline Bike Path Burhan Azeem (site) Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership, including member-exclusive perks.

What happens when a city’s design puts lives at risk—and someone decides to speak up? In this episode, you’ll meet Army Master Sgt. Ben Hultquist, one of the leaders of Strong Towns Fayetteville, a Local Conversation in North Carolina. After a string of preventable deaths, Ben testified in city hall. Now, that testimony is helping turn the conversation in Fayetteville toward people-first design and safer streets. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Strong Towns Fayetteville (Facebook) Learn how to make your streets safer with the Crash Analysis Studio model. Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership, including member-exclusive perks.

In this engaging conversation, Linda Appel Lipsius, Executive Director of Denver Urban Gardens, shares insights from her journey in urban gardening. She discusses how community gardens can enhance urban resilience, offering access to healthy food while fostering community bonds and improving mental health. Linda highlights Denver's gardening model and the impact of permaculture design, emphasizing the importance of diverse crops and neighborly connections. She also addresses challenges cities face in adopting gardening practices, advocating for a shift in mindset around urban food systems.

Wendy Nash is the founder of Get Around Caboolture, a grassroots transportation initiative in Caboolture, Australia. She and Norm discuss the group's efforts to promote more transportation options, including hosting the first Week Without Driving outside the U.S. Wendy emphasizes the importance of tailoring messages to different audiences and explains why she would like to see more comedy in advocacy. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Get Around Caboolture Strong Towns Academy Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership, including member-exclusive perks.

Brandi Thompson, flight nurse and co-founder of Strong Towns ABQ, shares her journey through diverse roles, from a rattlesnake wrangler to community activist. She discusses successful strategies advocating for zoning reform and pushing back against highway expansions in Albuquerque. The conversation touches on the effects of isolation in rural areas, the importance of historical context in civic engagement, and how grassroots movements can reshape urban planning. Brandi inspires listeners to realize their individual potential for community change.