This Experiment Undid Our Cities. How Do We Fix It? Strong Towns 2023-11-17 | When we replaced our traditional pattern of development with the Suburban Experiment, there were some unforeseen consequences. Why did we do it, and how can we fix it?Become a member: strongtowns.orgAbout us: We seek to replace America’s post-war pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. We advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting. We elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place, not merely the lowest level in a hierarchy of governments.Additonal Links and Sources: docs.google.com/document/d/1QQWaP0cu9Eh8qTjZyoghAXoPH433mufoajl51kSzFkk/edit?usp=sharing00:00 Intro00:49 Traditional Development Pattern03:15 Why did this work?04:48 Why did we stop?07:58 Strip Malls, Stroads & Suburbs09:16 We got issues10:30 We've got solutions12:41 Takeaways
Black Friday Parking Strong Towns 2023-11-21 | You've noticed that even during the busiest shopping week of the year, there's more parking in your city than will ever be used. This is the result of wasteful parking mandates in your city's regulations, and it's preventing your community from enjoying new businesses and building much-needed new housing. Fight back against harmful parking mandates and minimums.strongtowns.org/parking#shorts
This Small Town Is Surprisingly Urban Strong Towns 2023-10-06 | Brattleboro is a town of 12,184 in southeastern Vermont. Its well-preserved historic downtown—full of vibrant shops, restaurants, and second-story retail and office space—is kept thriving thanks to the Brattleboro Downtown Alliance, as well as the town’s active chamber of commerce. Brattleboro sports not only walkable neighborhoods around its downtown, but also has beautiful nature and farms within 5 miles of downtown. Perhaps most important of all, the town’s strong sense of resilience has encouraged its residents to build partnerships in order to tackle difficult problems.Learn more about our Strongest Town Contest: strongtowns.org/strongesttownMore Articles: strongtowns.orgMerch: strongtowns.org/shopNotes: docs.google.com/document/d/1r59J0V-pUOjxsI1sK8pKIYlI-2jMh7JQHNPe8IORv-E/edit?usp=sharing About us: We seek to replace America’s post-war pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. We advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting. We elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place, not merely the lowest level in a hierarchy of governments.00:00 Intro00:43 Working Partners with the Land01:46 Brattleboro History & Layout03:08 Nearby Nature04:09 How To Develop, Housing Crisis05:40 Definitely a Small Town06:45 Good Food :)07:47 What Gives Character?09:13 Compact Size = Proximity09:52 Proximity, Interdependence, Closeness12:04 Town Meeting13:17 Cutting Onions While Editing15:00 Your Town?
How Our Property Tax System Robs The Poor to Pay For The Wealthy Strong Towns 2023-09-08 | Discover the shocking truth about a secret racket in America that's been hiding in plain sight for years; High-value homes are escaping their fair share of property taxes, burdening less wealthy neighbors and straining city budgets. Join us as we unveil the reverse Robin Hood grift that's affecting communities across the United States.Join a local conversation! strongtowns.org/localProperty Tax Project: https://propertytaxproject.uchicago.edu/data/Just Accounting Latest Updates: strongtowns.org/just-accountingLinks to some sources:Chicago Tribune: apps.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/cook-county-property-tax-divide/assessments.htmlNYT: nytimes.com/2021/04/03/opinion/sunday/property-taxes-housing-assessment-inequality.htmlGraphs and Data from Urban3: urbanthree.com00:00 Intro02:59 Who Is Affected05:08 Regressive Assessments06:59 Consequences09:43 Are Assessors Bad Guys?12:01 Appeals = Bandaid13:11 How To Change ThisMB01ICGMGZJ0FDK
Can American Cities Save Themselves? This One Thinks So. Strong Towns 2023-07-28 | South Bend is used to being written off as a dying city, but the people who live there are writing a new story. They're not waiting for someone else to save them. They're revitalizing this gritty and resilient place with their own hands. In this process, citizens prove the importance of local businesses, intentional developers, and saying yes to small bets. The local government followed the lead of its citizens and gave them what community members in every place want: a chance to create the thriving, prosperous city of their dreams. Enjoy our content or support the message? Become a member: strongtowns.org/membershipJoin/Start a Local Conversation: strongtowns.org/localBuild South Bend initiative website - southbendin.gov/bsb12 steps of Neighborhood Evolution - southbendin.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/12-Step-Brochure-Town-Makers.pdfNeighborhood Evolution Website: neighborhoodevolution.com00:00 - intro00:40 - South Bend History04:20 - Dream of a Great Neighborhood06:00 - Systems in Place08:25 - Downtown- the Next Step11:08 - Appraisal Gap?13:40 - Next Steps14:45 - Your Turn
We Keep Losing The Battle Against Traffic. Is This Inevitable? Strong Towns 2023-06-09 | Traffic sucks... the solution might not be what you think though.Join a local conversation in YOUR neighborhood strongtowns.org/localMore Articles: strongtowns.orgMerch: strongtowns.org/shop Adapted from these articles:strongtowns.org/journal/2017/3/16/everyone-knows-we-have-a-traffic-problemstrongtowns.org/journal/2012/10/23/embracing-congestion.htmlstrongtowns.org/journal/2022/8/24/what-causes-traffic-problems-updating-your-mental-modelFeatured Creators/inspiration outside of our own content:@Shifter_Cycling @UrbanistExploringCities David Montgomery: bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-08-29/the-commuting-principle-that-shaped-urban-historyAbout us: We seek to replace America’s post-war pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. We advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting. We elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place, not merely the lowest level in a hierarchy of governments.MB01HXSTNYIUFMNMB01PLZ2UHF3B5L00:00 Intro02:12 It Takes Too Long 05:37 Travel Is Too Unpredictable07:43 The Experience Of Traffic is Terrible09:30 Watershed Analogy10:13 What Do We Do?
This Is What It Takes To Be a Strong Town. Is Yours One? Strong Towns 2023-04-28 | We spend a lot of time showcasing the successes and failures of North American places, but this time we turned the camera around for a short reflection: what is a Strong Town? What does it mean to be part of the Strong Towns movement?Come to our National Gathering! strongtowns.org/national-gatheringConsider becoming part of this movement: strongtowns.org/membership
Its Time To Rethink How We Measure Cities. We Cant Afford Not To. Strong Towns 2023-04-14 | If this looks familiar, it just might be. This is a re-upload because of an error that needed to be fixed. See our community post if you want more details!Join a local conversation in YOUR neighborhood strongtowns.org/localCome to our National Gathering! strongtowns.org/national-gatheringMore Articles: strongtowns.orgMerch: strongtowns.org/shop Urban3: urbanthree.comJulian Price Project: julianpriceproject.comPresentation about how Asheville saved downtown: youtube.com/watch?v=sMYrEYS3ixQ&ab_channel=BuncombeCountyGovernmentMichael Kovacs article: strongtowns.org/journal/2017/3/24/playing-moneyball-with-your-city-an-appeal-to-fellow-city-managers-and-other-strong-citizensWe are huge fans of Urban3 and the work they do uncover municipal finances, helping cities become resilient and prosperous. I headed to Asheville to learn more about Value Per Acre and found a deeper story than I anticipated. Asheville has a beautiful story of reclaiming its downtown- not only creating a financially resilient and productive place to live, but finding a system that works and can be replicated by other cities willing to do the math and commit to making incremental changes. About us: We seek to replace America’s post-war pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. We advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting. We elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place, not merely the lowest level in a hierarchy of governments.Historical footage courtesy of Rachel Price and the Julian Price ProjectHistorical Photos from Buncombe County Special Collections, Pack Memorial Public Library, Asheville, North CarolinaDonate to Strong Towns: strongtowns.org/membership00:00 The guiding question00:58 Intro to Value Per Acre03:29 Show Me The Money05:35 Implications07:21 Asheville Saves Its Downtown11:01 Why Am I Getting Emotional?
We used to build starter homes, but now theyre mostly illegal Strong Towns 2023-04-07 | In the 1950’s and 60’s, we built starter homes all across North America. Today, they’re illegal to build in most places. Let’s reform our zoning, permitting, and parking laws to allow them again. #strongtowns #urbanism #walkablecities #housing
This Ponzi Scheme Might END Suburban Prosperity Strong Towns 2023-03-24 | Join a local conversation in YOUR neighborhood strongtowns.org/localCome to our National Gathering! strongtowns.org/national-gatheringVote in our Strongest Town Contest: strongtowns.org/strongesttownMerch: strongtowns.org/shopLots of case studies here: strongtowns.org/journal/2020/8/28/the-growth-ponzi-scheme-a-crash-courseThe Growth Ponzi Scheme, also called the "Municipal Ponzi Scheme," is a core Strong Towns insight describing the financial characteristics of post-war North American growth patterns.In the Growth Ponzi Scheme, municipalities receive the modest near-term financial benefits from new development in exchange for the larger long-term financial commitments of providing ongoing service and maintenance. The Growth Ponzi Scheme is not nefarious; there is not a specific individual or group that has created it for their own benefit. It has emerged from a broad cultural consensus about economic growth, development patterns, and debt. So what can you do?Lafayette Study: urbanthree.com/case-study/lafayette-laMichel Durand-Wood article: strongtowns.org/journal/2021/1/3/death-of-a-car-cityIntro Clip: pikeoffota.comDonate to Strong Towns: strongtowns.org/membership00:00 OG Ponzi Scheme01:18 The Growth Ponzi Scheme02:21 Reasonable Pushback03:47 Mr. Beast Analogy05:57 What Now?08:30 Where Do YOU Start?
Safe streets are ones that are filled with people! Strong Towns 2023-03-22 | Safe streets are ones that are filled with people! #strongtowns #urbanism #safestreets #janejacobs #eyesonthestreet
Great places dont have to be reserved for tourist destinations or wealthy neighborhoods. Strong Towns 2023-03-20 | #strongtowns #urbanism #walkablecities
Too often, cities look for ways to grow faster even if that growth makes it poorer in the long run. Strong Towns 2023-03-17 | What does a city do when it’s in financial trouble? Too often, it looks for ways to grow faster—even if that growth is making it poorer in the long run.
local government must have enough revenues to match its expenses Strong Towns 2023-03-09 | A core principle of creating financially strong and resilient communities is this: local government must run a profit. This doesn't mean local government must do things for profit, extract residents' private wealth, or charge for every service or piece of infrastructure. Far from it. We mean this in a more prosaic sense: local government must, at the end of the day, have enough revenues to match its expenses. It can operate at a loss for short periods of time, by taking on debt or spending cash reserves, but it cannot do so indefinitely, any more than any nonprofit organization or your household can. Government is like a business in that sense. #strongtowns
What makes a town worth spending time in? Strong Towns 2023-03-07 | Let’s legalize and build more places for lingering in, rather than just passing through. #strongtowns #urbanism
Why Bad Street Design is Both Costly and Deadly Strong Towns 2023-03-04 | Join a local conversation in YOUR neighborhood strongtowns.org/localCome to our National Gathering! strongtowns.org/national-gatheringDonate to Strong Towns: strongtowns.org/membershipMerch: strongtowns.org/shopEdit: Sophee Langerman's name card was incorrect. It is Sophee, not Sophie. We understand how frustrating the problem of bad street design is, especially because most communities don’t have a vision or language for an alternative. But you don’t have to accept the status quo. Strong Towns literally wrote the book on building safe and productive streets. We help public officials, professionals, and citizen advocates take control of their local streets. We’ve seen places transformed. The same is possible for your city, too.Tactical Urbanism: strongtowns.org/journal/2018/5/9/4-permanent-impacts-of-temporary-tactical-urbanism-projectsVox Article: vox.com/23178764/florida-us19-deadliest-pedestrian-fatality-crisisCityNerd: youtube.com/watch?v=azYHW1vXZaM&t=402sNJB: youtube.com/watch?v=_ByEBjf9ktYSmart Growth America: youtube.com/watch?v=Ii4fXlCNh8k (this should have 100x more views)Two great groups working to make Chicago streets safer for everyonebetterstreetschicago.orgbikegridnow.orgJeff Speck: jeffspeck.comBetter Block: betterblock.orgAbout us: We seek to replace America’s post-war pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. We advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting. We elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place, not merely the lowest level in a hierarchy of governments.00:00 Intro2:11 Forgiving Design?3:27 Chicago as an Example4:24 Systems of the Mind7:17 Suburb Comparison9:10 Solutions?10:29 People doing this work
Are Parking Lots Ruining Your City? Strong Towns 2023-02-10 | Join a local conversation in YOUR neighborhood strongtowns.org/localMore Articles: strongtowns.orgDonate to Strong Towns: strongtowns.org/membershipMerch: strongtowns.org/shop2015 Article from Strong Towns: strongtowns.org/journal/2015/10/16/fayetteville-eliminates-minimum-parking-requirements2015 Fayetteville Flyer article: fayettevilleflyer.com/2015/10/07/fayetteville-eliminates-minimum-parking-requirementsCatie Gould's fantastic coverage of Fayetteville in 2022: sightline.org/2022/02/22/no-minimum-parking-requirements-no-problem-for-fayetteville-arkansasPodcast interview with Jonathan Curth: podbean.com/pu/pbblog-b426q-3464a2One of the easiest steps toward making your town stronger is by preventing one of its most important resource, land, from being wasted. Parking minimums stymie growth in towns. Citizens of Fayetteville, Arkansas realized this, and inadvertently began a movement by removing parking minimums, seeking to make it easier for entrepreneurs to rejuvenate empty buildings downtown. We went there ourselves to show you exactly what that looks like. Parking mandates map: parkingreform.org/resources/mandates-mapAbout us: We seek to replace America’s post-war pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. We advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting. We elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place, not merely the lowest level in a hierarchy of governments.Historical footage courtesy of the University of Arkansas Pryor Center and Bob FryRenderings of Ramble Development and 2013 interview courtesy of the City of Fayetteville00:00 Intro to Fayetteville01:44 Why remove parking minimums?05:53 Who opposes this?09:44 Fayetteville's Response11:01 Why this is about you
Crumbling Infrastructure = Build More Lanes? Strong Towns 2023-01-18 | The cycle: we pay our taxes, our taxes get granted out to projects. But these projects are not always solving or even addressing a real need within the community. You don't have to look very far to recognize that the system is predisposed to pick a certain style of project: big and bigger. #shorts #Strongtowns #endhighwayexpansion #nonewroads
Our Cities are Broken- Now What? Strong Towns 2023-01-11 | You hate your suburb- so what do you do? Welcome to Strong Towns!Join a local conversation in YOUR neighborhood strongtowns.org/localMore Articles: strongtowns.org/stmediaDonate to Strong Towns: strongtowns.org/membershipNotJustBikes ST series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJp5q-R0lZ0_FCUbeVWK6OGLN69ehUTVaMerch: strongtowns.org/shopWe seek to replace America’s post-war pattern of development, the Suburban Experiment, with a pattern of development that is financially strong and resilient. We advocate for cities of all sizes to be safe, livable, and inviting. We work to elevate local government to be the highest level of collaboration for people working together in a place, not merely the lowest level in a hierarchy of governments.
Want people to drive safe speeds? Speed limits❌ Speed traps❌ Enforcement❌ Good street design✅ Strong Towns 2022-12-01 | ...
#SafeStreets Strong Towns 2022-12-01 | Want people to drive safe speeds? Speed limits. ❌ Speed traps. ❌ Enforcement. ❌ Good street design. ✅ #SafeStreets #shorts
What Is a Stroad and Why Is It So Dangerous? Strong Towns 2022-11-01 | Do you know what the difference between a road and a street is? How about what happens when their functions are merged? Strong Towns founder and president Chuck Marohn was a featured expert on Newsy where he discussed the danger of "stroads, " the ill-advised combination of a road and street that can be found all across the United States. He explains how these stroads came to be and what design principles can be implemented to significantly decrease the crashes and deaths that occur on them year after year.Links:Strong Towns: strongtowns.orgNewsy: newsy.comMore on stroads: strongtowns.org/journal/tag/STROADS
Why Engineers Shouldnt Be Designing Our Streets Strong Towns 2022-09-29 | We have given engineers too much power over deciding what our streets look like and do. Engineers are an important part of the process but there are many others who need to be involved.Full video from The Planning Commission Podcast at: youtube.com/watch?v=q_Mh2dSs0us
If You Could Go Back in Time to Change the Traffic Engineering Industry, What Would You Do? Strong Towns 2022-09-28 | Strong Towns president Chuck Marohn was recently a guest on The Planning Commission Podcast and asked if he could go back in time, what would he change about the traffic engineering industry? What would you change? Check out the full video of this talk at: youtu.be/q_Mh2dSs0us
An Example of Gross Negligence in Street Design - The Breakaway Post Strong Towns 2022-09-23 | How often have you stood next to one of these posts at an intersection? Have you noticed the odd design at the base? Strong Towns founder and president Chuck Marohn explains what that design is meant to do and how, while its purpose is to save one segment of street users, it neglects to save others whose lives are put at risk by the same street design that led to breakaway posts' creation in the first place.Links: Strong Towns articles: strongtowns.org/stmediaMore on breakaway design here: strongtowns.org/journal/2022/4/14/accidentally-on-purpose Full video of this talk at: youtube.com/watch?v=Hq00oq4ygyM&t=3179s
CNBC - American Jobs Plan Doesnt Touch the Problem Strong Towns 2022-09-20 | Strong Towns founder and president Chuck Marohn was featured in this three-part series by CNBC exploring what approach to development will make our places strong. One important takeaway: We can't afford to maintain what we have, yet we keep building more.Watch the full video at: youtube.com/watch?v=MNJkvbgoG3o&t=1076sStrong Towns articles on highway expansions: strongtowns.org/mw-end-highway-expansion
CNBC - Suburbia is Unsustainable Strong Towns 2022-09-19 | Strong Towns spoke about the financial folly of spread-out development in this CNBC documentary series about the suburbs along with Admir Kolaj and Jenny Schuetz. Check out the full episode at: youtu.be/MNJkvbgoG3o?t=1092
CNBC - We Cant Afford the Roads Weve Built Strong Towns 2022-09-16 | We've overbuilt our infrastructure. When our roads, streets, and pipes fall apart, we're not going to fix them, because we don't have the money. Chuck Marohn is breaking hard truths on CNBC. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/MNJkvbgoG3o?t=739
Can Speed Limits Actually Reduce Speed? Strong Towns 2022-09-12 | Are speed limits helpful? Or do people just drive at the speed they feel comfortable? Chuck Marohn, founder and president of Strong Towns, discusses the effectiveness of speed limits, traffic stops and the importance of good street design.Strong Towns articles: strongtowns.org/stmedia Strong Towns on safe and productive streets: strongtowns.org/journal/tag/Safe+and+Productive+StreetsFull talk: youtube.com/watch?v=Hq00oq4ygyM
Why is the Best Public Transit in the US at Disney World? Strong Towns 2022-08-30 | In this excerpt from the Not Just Bikes X Strong Towns podcast on public transit, Jason Slaughter and Chuck Marohn discuss why people are willing to spend so much money in Disney World to enjoy the kind of urbanism and public transit that is absent across North America, but doesn't have to be.LinksFull podcast episode: youtube.com/watch?v=UXCl3_Xq21I&t=1392sNot Just Bikes: youtube.com/c/NotJustBikesStrong Towns: strongtowns.org
New Yorks Congestion Pricing Experiment: Upzoned Podcast Excerpt #shorts Strong Towns 2022-08-24 | This is an excerpt from an episode of Strong Towns' Upzoned podcast, published August 24, 2022, discussing New York's plan to enact congestion pricing in order to address traffic problems. Watch/listen to the full episode here: youtu.be/yEn45HiQBqUStrong Towns podcasts: strongtowns.org/podcastArticle discussed in the podcast: theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/11/manhattan-congestion-pricing-charge-transportation
Is Beauty Important in Designing Financially Productive Cities? Strong Towns 2022-08-19 | Earlier this year, Strong Towns president, Charles Marohn, spoke in Winnipeg, MB to discuss his book, Confessions of a Recovering Engineer. During the Q&A portion, someone asked him whether beauty has place in designing financially productive cities and whether engineers ever think about the role of beauty in their designs. Here's his answer.Links: Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: https://www.confessions.engineer Cognitive Architecture: barnesandnoble.com/w/cognitive-architecture-ann-sussman/1119576652Strong Towns events: strongtowns.org/events Strong Towns articles: strongtowns.org/stmedia
Not Just Bikes and Strong Towns Discuss Public Transit in North America Strong Towns 2022-08-15 | "It's nothing to do with the population of the city and everything to do with - when you step off that transit vehicle, where are you?" In this episode, Chuck welcomes back Jason Slaughter, producer of Not Just Bikes, to the Strong Towns Podcast, where they discuss one of his recent videos, “America Always Gets This Wrong (when building transit).”Jason and Chuck go in depth about some of the absurdities of our modern transit system and the urban deserts they tend to drop riders off at—bringing to light some reasons why people don’t want to use public transit. They also debunk the reasons some DOTs use for why we can’t have better transit, and what the process for building efficient public transportation systems should look like.For Further Information: Strong Towns: strongtowns.org/stmediaNot Just Bikes: youtube.com/c/NotJustBikes“America Always Gets This Wrong (when building transit)”: youtube.com/watch?v=MnyeRlMsTgIStrong Towns on public transit: strongtowns.org/journal/category/Public+Transit
How Bias in the Property Tax Assessment System Plays Out Strong Towns 2022-08-08 | In today’s Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck talks with Joe Minicozzi from Urban3 about Buncombe County and property tax inequities within Western North Carolina. The Just Accounting for Health team (of which Urban3 and Strong Towns are part) has been rigorously researching property tax inequities specifically in relation to Western North Carolina, as well as exploring implications of this system across the nation. In this video, Joe shares his insights and slides from his original presentation to the Ad-Hoc committee. For Further Reading:Property Tax Inequities Within Western North Carolina: strongtowns.org/journal/2022/2/15/property-tax-inequities-stir-movement-for-change-in-ashevilleJoe Minnicozzi's Findings: strongtowns.org/journal/2022/5/3/it-isnt-just-us-the-entire-nation-is-burdened-with-property-tax-inequitiesJust Accounting for Health: justaccounting.org
This Engineering Practice is Making Your Commute More Dangerous Strong Towns 2022-07-28 | Strong Towns president and founder, Chuck Marohn, explains what exactly forgiving design means and how it actually creates a less safe environment by forgiving drivers’ mistakes rather than preventing them.Confessions of a Recovering Engineer book: https://www.confessions.engineer Learn more about forgiving design: strongtowns.org/journal/2018/2/2/forgiving-design-vs-the-forgiveness-of-slow-speeds See if Chuck is coming to speak in your area: strongtowns.org/events
The Bigger the Property, The Bigger the Tax Discount? How Property Tax is Distorting our Cities. Strong Towns 2022-07-13 | In property tax assessments, high-value homes are consistently undervalued. Check out this example from Buncombe County, NC to understand why and how something called the "sales ratio" plays into this. Bottom line: By undervaluing higher-value homes, Buncombe County residents miss out on at least $5 million in property taxes each year. (Read more here: strongtowns.org/journal/2022/7/18/in-buncombe-county-nc-billions-of-dollars-of-home-value-go-untaxed )The Just Accounting for Health Initiative is led by Urban3, UNC-Asheville's Department of Health and Wellness, the Asheville Racial Justice Coalition and Strong Towns. Visit justaccounting.org to learn about why we’re looking at these problems and how we can use math to help solve them.
Springfield, MA Gets Started on Fixing State Street Strong Towns 2022-07-12 | City leaders in Springfield, Massachusetts, started a project to calm State Street, one of the city’s most dangerous places for walkers and bikers. Needless deaths on State Street caused by poor street design near the public library were the central subject of Strong Towns’ Charles Marohn’s book, Confessions of a Recovering Engineer.strongtowns.org
Webcast: Confessions of a Recovering Engineer Strong Towns 2022-06-07 | In this webcast—a special offering during Member Week at Strong Towns—Charles Marohn demonstrates how the values of engineers and other transportation professionals are applied in the design process, and how those priorities differ from the values of the general public. By showing how transportation investments are a means to an end and not an end unto themselves, Marohn reveals how the standard approach to issues like fighting congestion, addressing speeding, and designing intersections only makes transportation problems worse, at great cost in terms of both safety and resources. By contrast, the Strong Towns approach to transportation focuses on bottom-up techniques for spending less and getting higher returns, all while improving quality of life for residents of a community. This presentation is based on Marohn’s newest book, Confessions of a Recovering Engineer.Support the movement by becoming a Strong Towns member today: strongtowns.org/membership
Webcast: Strongest Town 2022 Championship Round Strong Towns 2022-04-04 | 16 towns started in this contest. Now there are just two left in the annual Strongest Town Competition. Watch representatives from Norwood, OH and Jasper, IN face off in a friendly conversation, hosted by Jay Stange, content manager at Strong Towns. Visit strongtowns.org/strongesttown to vote in this match-up or learn more about the contest. Voting closes at 12pm CT on April 7.
30 Days of Confessions: #29 Engineers Dont Face Consequences Strong Towns 2022-03-22 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. In our second to last video, Chuck shares an important truth: Engineers are almost never held accountable for the deaths that result from their designs. If we want safer streets, that is going to have to change.Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
30 Days of Confessions: #28 A Street Design Team Strong Towns 2022-03-21 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. We’re in the home stretch, and in this 28th video, Chuck is sharing an important idea that you can implement in your city to save money and lives: stop letting engineers design streets on their own and instead, form a team of people to make streets better.Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
30 Days of Confessions: #27 Design Speed Strong Towns 2022-03-18 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. Today’s video is #27. If you’re convinced, by now, that slower streets are the way to go in our cities, we’ve got some good news: engineers are capable of building slower, safer streets! Now the bad news: Sadly, most choose not to.Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
30 Days of Confessions: #26 Risk Compensation Strong Towns 2022-03-17 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. Today’s video is #26 and we’re sharing something that’s going to sound a little crazy: Streets shouldn’t be designed to minimize risk. Actually, they should be designed to feel very risky, especially for drivers.Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
30 Days of Confessions: #25 Traffic Modeling is BS Strong Towns 2022-03-15 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. Here’s video #25, where Chuck explains the engineering models that most cities—including yours—rely on to plan future projects. The problem is that they consistently over-predict the amount of traffic roads will see, and waste millions in taxpayer dollars as a result.Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
30 Days of Confessions: #24 Liability Strong Towns 2022-03-14 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. Here’s video #24, where Chuck offers an explanation of the typical engineer’s concerns about liability—and how they’re completely backwards.Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
30 Days of Confessions: #23 Breakaway Design Strong Towns 2022-03-11 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. In a previous video in this series, we talked about forgiving design. In today’s video #23, Chuck shows you an example of that and just how deadly it can be for people outside of a car.Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
30 Days of Confessions: #22 Road Math is Garbage Strong Towns 2022-03-10 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. Here’s video #22, where Chuck is explains the absurd and overblown math that engineers use to justify their projects. Most of it is BS. Take a watch.Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
30 Days of Confessions: #21 Whose mistakes do we forgive? Strong Towns 2022-03-09 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. Here’s video #21. We’re returning to the topic of “forgiving design.” Engineers spend so much time designing roads to forgive the mistakes of drivers, but so little time accounting for the mistakes of people walking or biking. The result is often fatal.Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
30 Days of Confessions: #20 How to Solve Congestion Strong Towns 2022-03-08 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. We’re 20 videos into this series! In this episode, Chuck talks about how to address congestion. It’s not by building bigger roads; it’s by building great neighborhoods.Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
30 Days of Confessions: #19 Engineering Warrants Strong Towns 2022-03-07 | Welcome to our exclusive “30 Days of Confessions” Strong Towns video series, where Charles Marohn pulls back the curtain on the North American transportation system—everything that’s wrong with it, and how we can make it work better for everyone. Here’s your nineteenth video, in which Chuck explains how engineers blindly expand streets, justifying their actions with "warrants."Transportation in America is getting worse, yet costing more. We have to do better. Read our new book "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town" by Charles Marohn, to learn how: www.confessions.engineer
