Strong Towns ideas have started permeating the wider culture at an increasing rate. But even as many cities and organizations embrace the movement, others twist it to serve their own agendas. Now more than ever, the movement needs advocates who uphold the true principles of building strong towns. It needs you.
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At Strong Towns, we're very conscious of the words we use and the way we tell stories, especially those involving car crashes. It's not because we're trying to be dramatic; it's because we're trying to change the conversation entirely. And you play an important part.
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American bus stops often leave people exposed to the elements without even a place to sit as they wait for their buses to arrive. Here’s how advocates around the country are tackling this problem — and how their cities are responding.
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The Northern Beltline project has been haunting Alabama for over 50 years, draining money, time and energy from other more productive and desired projects. Here’s how it came about — and why it refuses to stay dead.
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From lying about survey results to misrepresenting traffic data, the impending expansion of Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania exemplifies so much of what is insidious and manipulative about highway expansion projects.
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Philadelphia's school district is paying parents to drive their kids to class, but at what cost? This program leaves many families behind and actually makes streets more dangerous for children.
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The reign of the yellow school bus is officially over, as the majority of students get to school by private vehicles and schools cut their bussing programs. How did this shift happen? And should we really mourn the bus?
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Car companies have been talking about making cars a third place for years, and the concept has been engrained in North American culture for even longer. But can cars actually function as a third place? More importantly, should they?
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Washington's Department of Transportation recently reported that they’re weight restricting another bridge because it’s becoming dangerously old. This is a symptom of a problem that stretches across North America: grossly misplaced priorities. It's time for a serious reevaluation of transportation spending priorities.
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Starbucks built its brand on being a third place — a communal hangout that fosters communication and conversation — but in recent years, its priorities have shifted to speed of service. Now, instead of returning to its roots, the corporation is trying to redefine what a third place is.
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An artist is on a mission to paint 50 murals in 50 small towns, and it’s changing way more than just blank walls. Cheyenne Renee's project is sparking conversations, connecting communities and helping revitalize struggling downtowns.
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Philadelphia's Porchfest festival showcases the vibrant community spirit of West Philly, and residents proved the endurance of that spirit last month. After the city refused to close streets to car traffic, residents did so themselves to keep festival attendees safe. Admirable, but it should never have been necessary.
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Local government is supposed to be the highest form of collaboration, but it doesn’t always feel that way. Too often, city rules favor opponents of change, meaning one dissenting voice can doom a project. However, Jersey City demonstrates how cities can increase collaboration by adopting an iterative approach to city planning.
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Other cities can learn a lot about placemaking from Cincinnati. It's a great example of what to do…and what not to do. Here are some observations from 36 hours spent in the city.
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Many bus routes have moved away from traditional static signage to digital maps and schedules that can be updated in real time. But is this really the right move, or are there enough benefits to static signage to justify it sticking around?
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In recent years, Strong Towns ideas have started permeating the wider culture at an increasing rate. But even as many cities and organizations embrace the movement and create real, positive change, others twist it to serve their own agendas. Now more than ever, advocates must uphold the true principles that build strong towns.
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Secret projects. Preventable pedestrian deaths. False promises of safety and support. This is what we — as a movement, as a nation, as a people — are up against. It’s time for a change.
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From college students trying to make ends meet to older individuals who need support from live-in caretakers, occupancy limits make life unnecessarily difficult for a lot of people. Colorado has passed a law that’s going to change that.
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When COVID-19 put her career on pause, opera singer Ally Smither found a new passion: fighting highway expansion.
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Economic productivity, cost-effectiveness and safety: stroads fail at all three. Advocates in Port Huron, Michigan, are working to make their city recognize that, so they can turn the dangerous Huron Avenue into a thriving community center.
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