There’s a movement happening in America, changing how our cities and towns think about growth and development. The Strong Town Movement is all about creating sustainable communities that are economically strong and environmentally conscious. This philosophy is based on the idea that we should be investing in our existing infrastructure instead of building new developments and hoping they thrive.
If you’re interested in learning more about The Strong Town Movement, keep reading! We’ll discuss what it is, the history of The Strong Town Movement, and how it’s changing the way we think about new development and growth in America’s cities.
What Is The Strong Town Movement?
The Strong Town Movement is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of investing in existing infrastructure instead of simply building new developments. The goal is to create sustainable communities that are economically strong and environmentally conscious. The idea behind this movement is that it’s better to invest in what we already have and make it stronger rather than build something new and hope it succeeds.
This philosophy has gained traction in recent years as more and more cities and towns across America are struggling to keep up with the demands of growth. The Strong Town Movement offers a different way of thinking about development, one that could potentially help these struggling communities get back on their feet.
The History Of The Strong Town Movement
The term “Strong Town” was first coined by Chuck Marohn in 2006. Marohn is the president and founder of Strong Towns, a nonprofit organization that promotes the Strong Town philosophy.
The idea for Strong Town came about after Marohn spent years working as an engineer for a city in Minnesota. He saw firsthand how the way we build our cities and towns was not sustainable and was actually causing them to decline.
After years of research and thought, Marohn developed the concept of The Strong Town Movement. In 2009, he published a blog post called “A Manifesto for America’s Next Generation,” which outlined his thoughts on The Strong Town Movement. This blog post went viral, gaining attention from all over the country, and sparked the movement’s growing popularity.
What Makes A Strong Town?
Three main principles make up The Strong Town Movement:
- A strong town is financially resilient. This means that the city has a diverse mix of economic activity and is not reliant on any single industry or sector.
- A strong town has a high level of social capital. This means that the city has a close-knit community where people know and trust each other.
- A strong town is physically connected. This means that the city is easy to get around, whether you’re walking, biking, or driving.
Examples Of The Strong Town Philosophy In Action In Texas
One example of The Strong Town Movement in action can be seen in the city of Georgetown, Texas. This city has been working on implementing the Strong Town philosophy for the past few years and has seen great results.
One of the most significant projects that Georgetown has undertaken is called “Complete Streets.” This project involved redesigning the city’s streets to be more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly. The results have been amazing, with more people walking and biking around the city and fewer car accidents.
Another example of The Strong Town Movement can be seen in Austin, Texas. The city has been working on a project called ” Imagine Austin.” This project aims to create a comprehensive plan for the city’s future that includes input from all members of the community.
One of the things that makes Imagine Austin so unique is that it’s not just a planning process but it’s also a community-wide conversation. The city has been hosting public meetings, workshops, and online surveys to get people’s input on the future of Austin.
Many small towns near and around the Austin area are also getting involved in The Strong Town Movement. One of these towns is called Lockhart, Texas. The city has been working on a project called “The Main Street Program.” The goal of this program is to revitalize the downtown area and make it more pedestrian-friendly.
Lockhart has already seen great results from The Main Street Program, with more people visiting the downtown area and new businesses moving in.
How Can People Get Involved In The Strong Town Movement?
Strong Towns is a nonprofit organization that’s working to help cities and towns across America build a stronger future.
There are many ways that people can get involved in The Strong Town Movement. One way is to attend a Strong Towns event. These events are held all over the country and are a great way to learn more about The Strong Town philosophy.
Another way to get involved is to join a local group or organization that’s working on implementing The Strong Town philosophy in their community. These groups work on projects like Complete Streets, Imagine Austin, and The Main Street Program.
If you’re interested in The Strong Town Movement, the best way to get involved is to start learning more about it. The best place to start is with The Strong Towns website, which you can visit at strongtowns.org. This website has a ton of information about The Strong Town Movement, including articles, blog posts, podcasts, and more.
The Strong Town Movement Is Changing How We Think About Growth And Development
The Strong Town Movement is changing how we think about growth and development. For too long, we’ve been building our cities and towns in a way that’s not sustainable. The Strong Town philosophy offers a different way of thinking about development, one that could potentially help our struggling communities get back on their feet.
Here at Viewpoint Engineering, we believe in The Strong Town Movement, and we’re doing our part to help spread the word. We hope that you’ll take some time to learn more about The Strong Town philosophy and how it can help make your community stronger.
What do you think about The Strong Town Movement?
Do you think it has the potential to help our struggling cities and towns? Let us know in the comments. And, as always, please feel free to share this article with your friends and family if you found it interesting.
