Edward Erfurt

 

Edward Erfurt is the Director of Community Action at Strong Towns. He is a trained architect and passionate urban designer with over 20 years of public- and private-sector experience focused on the management, design, and successful implementation of development and placemaking projects that enrich the tapestry of place. He believes in community-focused processes that are founded on diverse viewpoints, a concern for equity, and guided through time-tested, traditional town-planning principles and development patterns that result in sustainable growth with the community character embraced by the communities which he serves.

Recent Articles by Edward
After the Crash Analysis Studio: 6 Next Steps for Creating Safe Streets
After the Crash Analysis Studio: 6 Next Steps for Creating Safe Streets

You’ve just completed a Crash Analysis Studio and you have a report in hand. Or you found the "Beyond Blame" report compelling and you want to share it with your community. Now what?

Beyond City Hall: Why Organic Collaboration Is Better Than an Orderly Approach
Beyond City Hall: Why Organic Collaboration Is Better Than an Orderly Approach

Collaboration (or community input) is discussed at great length within the urban planning profession, but it’s often lost in actual practice.

Analyzing Crashes Can Be Painful, but Creating Safer Streets Is Worth It
Analyzing Crashes Can Be Painful, but Creating Safer Streets Is Worth It

The Strong Towns Crash Analysis Studio is one of the toughest projects I’ve ever worked on. Analyzing crashes that ruined people’s lives is heartbreaking, especially when knowing that quick and easy responses could’ve prevented them. But it’s worth it to make those streets safer, to save lives and to shift the national conversation around crashes to be more humane and effective.

What a Water Heater Can Teach Us About Code Reform
What a Water Heater Can Teach Us About Code Reform

Reforming the administration of a city's building or zoning code is just as important as reforming the code itself. Fortunately, shifting this approach is within the discretion of city staff, so they can turn an aggravating, time-consuming process into one that better serves everyone's needs.

Want To Create Change Quickly? Start by Taking a Walk.
Want To Create Change Quickly? Start by Taking a Walk.

When analyzing car crashes and identifying ways to prevent them, local experts — residents who are familiar with the crash sites — can often identify issues and solutions that technical experts miss. Here's how technical experts and elected officials can tap into that local expertise.

Cities Should Handle Car Crashes Like They Handle Frat Houses
Cities Should Handle Car Crashes Like They Handle Frat Houses

In many cities, officials recognize that it's better to stop a problem from occurring than try to control it after the fact. When faced with a recurring problem (like riotous parties), they pass ordinances that target its root causes. Why not do the same with street safety?

 
Edward ErfurtStrong TownsStaff