Gleaned from a 100,000 mile journey into the heart of America, here are 8 principles the leaders and cities of America’s most successful towns swear by.
Read More
The paths to recovery for a small town and for an addict have much in common. And sometimes those paths can converge.
Read More
With more work going virtual, small towns and mid-sized cities have an opportunity to attract new residents. Here are 6 tips to help communities start attracting and retaining talent.
Read More
After World War II, the federal government subsidized a massive suburban experiment that was completely unprecedented in human history. But—as a mostly-forgotten 1942 manual by the Department of Commerce makes clear—it didn’t have to be that way.
Read More
Small towns are the most fragile communities in a fragile country. What’s going wrong—and can it be made right again?
Read More
Hundreds of small towns may simply shut their doors. There is a road to survival—and eventual prosperity—but it’s a narrow one. Who will take it?
Read More
13 things the smartest small town leaders are doing to create stronger, more vibrant communities.
Read More
Great urbanism: if it’s good enough for a vacation, then it’s good enough for everyday life.
Read More
Compact development isn’t just for big cities. Some of the best walkable urbanism in the world is in the smallest towns. And embracing this is the key to enjoying the best of both worlds: urban and rural.
Read More
Rural communities across the Midwest are careening toward collapse, and all at the same time. What this means for the region as a whole. Small towns need Strong Towns too.
Read More
The downtown may not seem as vibrant as it once was. But there is more there than meets the eye, and this community in Pennsylvania is using the arts to build a future every bit as bright as its past.
Read More
They left a city that is the envy of urbanists everywhere, for a small town seemingly in the middle of nowhere. The cofounder of the Little Free Libraries movement reflects on what makes his rural community strong.
Read More
As the demographics of a small Minnesota town change, people there are discovering the power of social capital and a rich associational life. Here’s how some residents of St. James came to feel at home for the very first time.
Read More
Many thoughtful urbanists want to #endparkingminimums. We do too. But there’s something else we can address. It’s a relatively small change that can have a big impact…and it could be a good first step to getting rid of parking minimums altogether.
Read More
Two small Tennessee towns reveal the mighty power of a traditional downtown square—even one that isn’t designed to achieve its full potential. It’s simply the most foolproof and financially productive style of development there is.
Read More
Early in my career, I helped plan a highway bypass for a small town that I was sure would generate a positive return on investment in the form of economic growth. The only problem? The actual numbers we calculated told a different story.
Read More
I’ve had to reconcile my foundational belief in markets with my experiences working with cities. This has been a painful process.
Read More
Gig Harbor, Washington has gone from fishing town to suburban bedroom community. With its founding industry largely gone, can the city remain a place that fosters community and welcomes newcomers to join in it?
Read More
It is backward to think of a parking ramp as a catalyst for success; it is the outcome of success. There is no shortcut to building a Strong Town, but lots of rewards for the effort.
Read More
Being carless in rural communities, whether because of finance or circumstance, can be a debilitating and isolating situation. How can we meet rural America’s transportation needs in meaningful yet affordable ways?
Read More