At Strong Towns, our mission is to spread our radically new approach to growth and development to as many people as possible. That's why we aren't available to consult with individuals or organizations—but that doesn't mean we can't help.
Once a month, we host Ask Strong Towns, a live Q&A webcast open only to Strong Towns members and select invitees, to give you a chance to ask your burning questions about our vision for change, and how the Strong Towns approach might apply in your unique place—and give us a chance to share our answer with the world, so it might help other Strong Citizens.
Here’s the video (and audio, if the podcast is more your style) from our June 2019 installment of Ask Strong Towns with founder and president Chuck Marohn and communications director Kea Wilson.
Stuck at work during Ask Strong Towns? No problem! We bet if you love us, your coworkers would to, so get a group together and organize a watch party—as the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership did this time around! (Thanks, guys!)
This Month’s Questions Answered
3:10 — How can a strong town create the right balance between maintenance and safety, yet still allow for character and uniqueness? I.e. does every weed need to be pulled—or by obsessing over maintenance, do we risk creating an environment that becomes too sterile?
9:50 — Have you found that areas with conservative voters are more likely to buy into Strong Towns than an area with liberal voters, or vice versa?
16:05 — I live in New York City: our development pattern is as financially productive as anywhere, with fewer pipes, power lines, and roads per capita. Yet I have a tax bill that’s much higher than it would be in Texas or even Boston. Why? Shouldn’t the efficiency of our infrastructure lead to savings?
24:45 — Please discuss the challenges of advocating for Strong Towns principles in places heavily dependent on Local Government Aid for funding (money transferred from states to cities, or otherwise money from external government sources)?
30:50 — How should a small city, which is economically strong in many ways, deal with the issue of renter-occupied properties that are falling apart? Condemnation is a serious issue for the renter as well as the landlord. What other tools do we have to address this neglect?
39:30 — I live in a small town whose debt is astronomical, and whose pipes are crumbling. The city is seeking to build more housing to entice a new company to move here. What’s a good formula to help our city council know when to say yes to a project?
44:55 — My city has a historic downtown theater and community center that is heavily damaged and owned by the city. Some city council members see it as a money pit. But it’s also a pillar of the community. What would a Strong Towns approach be toward cultural landmarks like these?
51:15 — My town is having a debate concerning Accessory Dwelling Units—some vocal residents don’t want to start allowing them. Strong Towns has been vocal on the pros of ADUs—are there any cons? Why would people oppose them?
2019 Update
We'll Make The World a Better Place By (Insert Your Planning Fad Here)
Ask Strong Towns: November 2018
Ask Strong Towns Celebrity Edition: Q&A With Jeff Speck
You are awesome!
Giving You The Language You Need to Change the Conversation
What do you do when you need to change everything?
Ten Years, Getting Stronger
Carmel is Not a Strong Town
Upzoned #5: Opportunity Zones, But For Whom?
Carmel's Billion-Dollar Bet
The Roots of the Opioid Epidemic: A Conversation With Sam Quinones
Democratizing Local Public Finance by Bringing Back Small-Scale Investors
Beyond the Buzzword: Innovation and How it Can Help Local Government Create Meaningful Change
Peak Delusion of the Long Emergency
Downshifting into a Meaningful Life: A Conversation With Ruben Anderson
Is Strong Towns the same as Sprawl Repair?
Upzoned Episode 1: Dams and Reservoirs Won't Save Us
It's The Little Things Episode 1: Running For City Council
Where To Next For CNU? A Conversation With Lynn Richards
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