Upzoned

Upzoned

Author: Strong Towns Language: English Episodes: 100
Each week, Upzoned takes a single, pressing story from the world of urban development, municipal policy, and community economics and holds it up to the light. Hosts Abby Kinney and Chuck Marohn of Strong Towns, sometimes joined by a guest, don't just skim the headlines. They dig into the nuances of a specific zoning decision, a new infrastructure project, or a shifting demographic trend, asking what it reveals about how we actually build our cities, towns, and neighborhoods. The conversation is grounded in the practical, bottom-up philosophy of the Strong Towns movement, making complex topics accessible and immediately relevant. This isn't a broad news recap; it's a focused, thoughtful dissection for anyone curious about why their community looks and functions the way it does. You'll hear informed debate, critical analysis, and a persistent questioning of conventional wisdom, all aimed at understanding how we can create places that are financially resilient and genuinely enriching for the people who live in them. Tune in for a deeper, more substantive take on the stories that shape our shared spaces.
Episodes
Millennials Are Fleeing Cities in Favor of the Exurbs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:27
Millennials are officially getting old. They’re having children, buying houses, and getting replaced by Gen Z in urban areas. As one article from Business Insider puts it, “Millennials are getting priced out of cities,”…
Transportation Meltdown: Children on the School Bus Till 10 p.m. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:33
Kentucky’s largest school system recently had to cancel the second and third day of classes due to what they're calling a disastrous overhaul of the bus system. On day one, some children were still on their bus at 10 p.m…
Is Affordable Housing Possible Under Current Zoning Laws? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:54
Durham, North Carolina, is experiencing a hot debate over changing its zoning code. The proposed “Simplifying Codes for Affordable Development” (or SCAD) presents tactical adjustments that focus on loosening the current…
Atlanta’s New Idea To Address Their Housing Crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:29
The United States is in the midst of a housing crisis. More and more cities are recognizing that part of the issue is due to restrictive zoning laws, which make building affordable homes a difficult feat. On this episode…
Why Can’t We Have the “Perfect” Neighborhood? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:41
“Who Can Afford America’s Perfect Neighborhood?” asks The Guardian. Longmont, Colorado, holds many elements of the American dream: tree-lined streets, neighbors walking to fulfill errands, children racing about, cafes, b…
Behind the Scenes at the Strong Towns National Gathering [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:30
At the end of May, Strong Towns hosted its inaugural National Gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was a two-day event packed with different speakers and sessions, where we heard from Strong Towns members about how…
Live From the National Gathering [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:50
A few weeks ago, the first Strong Towns National Gathering took place in Charlotte, NC. While people buzzed back and forth between sessions, Upzoned host Abby Kinney sat at a table and invited those walking by to join he…