Our Cities are Broken- Now What?

[@strongtowns]

Glad you're here :) What topics would you like us to cover for future videos? We'd love to give more insight on the work we do, and how you can get involved to shape the place you live.

[@ZentaBon]

Financial aspects to how much of a waste our current car centric design is. Include... Examples of it done wrong and it done right, numbers, footage. I want it to appeal to people who aren't in the loop so I can show them more easily.

[@een_schildpad]

One question I've been running into is, what are some specific changes we can push for? I actually had a sit down meeting with my councilor and felt very unprepared with specific asks that could help us get from car dependent sprawl to human scale city. Selfishly, I'd also love to hear about places that are having success moving in the right direction... both because I would love to know how they are doing it and because I'd be awfully tempted to move there :-)

[@erikrick]

Any hope for content for small fully developed municipalities that are stuck doing infill? My hometown is a little city under five square miles with 16,000 people... The area is pretty much fully developed... Now what?

[@neolithictransitrevolution427]

How to fight road expansions, LVTs

[@Descriptor413]

@@erikrick Are there zoning laws preventing the next level of development?

[@NotJustBikes]

I knew it was coming, but I'm still seriously impressed with the quality of your first video. I can't wait to see more about how people can build Strong Towns! Also, I added this video to the end of my Strong Towns playlist, and you linked to my Strong Towns playlist in the end card of this video. Its Strong Townsception.

[@strongtowns]

Oh no! We've created an infinite feedback loop! Huge thank you! Excited to be part of this great community of people wanting to love where they live. -Mike

[@ahmedzakikhan7639]

Good to see you guys supporting each other.

[@chrisstarlitvagabond1496]

This certainly doesn't appear to be their first video. But good to see you folks supporting each other!

[@manualdriver02]

You two make a great team.

[@ChristianMay21]

@@chrisstarlitvagabond1496 I believe it's Mike's first video for Strong Towns, right?

[@CheeseRat12]

This really hits home; the more you learn about urbanism and its history, the more alienated and stuck you feel about the situation. Sometimes you just want to up and leave to a new country like NJB! 😄

[@strongtowns]

We feel this all the time. We have plans for a specific video about this exact topic!

[@rexx9496]

I'm very torn on whether I want to try to force myself to make peace with N. America or try to move to Europe.

[@Nojaru]

I’ve definitely felt the itch to do something with a Strong Towns message but have very little connection to my suburban community. That bit about strangers for neighbours is pretty real. I went to a councillors holiday dinner this year though and that wouldn’t have happened without the orange pill and Strong Towns

[@highway2heaven91]

@@rexx9496 Think about which situation is most feasible and which one gives you the most peace.

[@mcnothing2457]

Cringe

[@serhaterzi]

I migrated to US from Turkey. I never thought US cities would be so hard to walk. I didn't even know that car dependency was a thing before coming here. In Turkey, the cities were very walkable, and there were a lot of public transportation options. I mean, I love US and I'm happy that I came here but I'm not gonna lie, I miss my walkable cities. I wish American people could experience that as well. And I hope someday, things get better. Thank you for your videos about that matter :)

[@adamlreid]

the US is a big place! there are places that have very walkable areas. i live in a extremely walkable suburb of Boston with its own light rail, etc. unfortunately, this is an exception. i wish i could say otherwise, but most of our country is car-dependent. you don’t have to regret moving here though (at least for reasons of walkability), because there are walkable places to be found

[@serhaterzi]

@adamlreid Yeah you're right. There are walkable places here, too. Boston is a beautiful city but the problem is living in walkable cities is very expensive. Becase there there is so much demand for it, but there are not enough places like Boston. However, I made my mind about it. When I have a good income, I'm gonna move to Chicago, which is a very walkable and transportation friendly city. And thank you for your reply 😊

[@adamlreid]

@@serhaterzi good to hear! i know, there never seems to be enough. we could learn a thing or two from our friends abroad. best of luck!

[@serhaterzi]

@@adamlreid Thank you so much :)

[@sachadee.6104]

I'm Dutch (go figure, I know what NJB is talking about from experience). I live in Canada but more and more I miss the people outside. Each time after visiting Netherlands and then coming back here in Canada I wonder..... WHERE ARE ALL THE PEOPLE. All you see are cars. I live outside of town and ppl are looking at me funny because I ride a bike 🤔 (but I love my large garden here and the space in rural New Brunswick)

[@fhdb-urbanism6508]

I live in one of the larger European cities. I can easily walk to the largest local sports/event arena. I can take a light rail train with 20-25 minutes travel time to the bustling city center, or a metro line to another part of the city center. Bus service is available also. To work, I can take light rail (20min total travel time) or bike (30min total travel time, along a nice and quiet canal and passing through a historic castle's vast park). Grocery shopping is possible within walking distance and that despite me walking 10 minutes to the next supermarket, which is considered a long distance for that in my city. I live in a medium-sized apartment and know all my neighbors by their full name, occasionally socialising with some of them. Thank you @StrongTowns and @NotJustBikes to make me appreciate my situation by describing it through the lens of a society that does not offer this kind of life to most of the people living in it.

[@safe-keeper1042]

I have the same experience, and I would never move to a place where I had to own a car to participate in society, as Not Just Bikes so wonderfully puts it. Being able to go anywhere by just hopping on public transport can't be beat. Light rail and trains are unaffected by traffic jams, you don't need to worry about toll roads or parking, and you can ride public transport regardless of what state you're in, even when you're too tired to safely drive a car, for example.

[@een_schildpad]

Whoa, I feel like this video was talking directly to me... I've been going to local council meetings and starting to push for change, but it's felt so lonely. My wife and I literally just were having the "do we stick it out here or try to move with kids to Europe" conversation. Like was said in the video, it's so depressing because moving to Europe is a herculean effort... but finding real change in N.A. seems bleak as well. I'm definitely going to check into those links!

[@strongtowns]

This is why we exist^ We don't want our kids to experience this same cognitive dissonance. John would love to get you connected!

[@buddy1155]

Advice from the Netherlands, Europe, just move overhere! It is pretty feasible especially if you don't aim for our 'large' cities, and have some sort of skill, doesn't really matter what skill we have shortages in about any skilled profession.

[@thomaswijgerse723]

@@buddy1155 would mean leaving all friends and family, work, hobbies, etc behind. Thats a big thing, even if you may end up happier in the end

[@buddy1155]

@@thomaswijgerse723 I have lived in the US, I have experienced car dependency it is much worse as you can imagine. I wasted about 4 hours a day in a car, stuck in traffic for regular trips that takes me about 15 minutes here in the Netherlands. I am a big car enthusiast, but driving in the US makes everyone miserable, It is nothing like driving in the Netherlands, If I drive here 4 hour I am in France or Germany.

[@cofibot8270]

Same kind of conversations with my wife, but car dependency is third on our list below gun violence and healthcare. We have been traveling to other countries, and planning more trips, to try to understand if immigrating is really a solution for us.

[@slash196]

I left the US and am never, ever coming back. Best of luck to y'all. You're gonna need it.

[@fernthaisetthawatkul5569]

enjoy your universal healthcare 😭

[@Pond-erer]

That’s kind of antagonistic. But, good for you.

[@christopherepperson7291]

Thank you for this - I am beginning to become involved in local politics in a mid-size city (Columbus, OH) through my church, a non-profit organization dedicated to issues such as affordable housing, and by showing up to city events where I can speak to city officials. As an older Zoomer at 23 years old, I find that I am the only person of my generation who shows up to these events, and I am more often than not the only person younger than 60 years old - politics seems to be for the old and retired, and I understand why. However, it is difficult to have a meaningful conversation with someone that has held the same about cities and housing for the past 60 years. I would love to have short videos on topics geared towards this older generation that I could send them to explain certain topics, such as: 1. If cities are going bankrupt, why do none of them declare bankruptcy? 2. Why don't developers who want to build traditional development (mixed use, walkable, etc) just rezone the land so they can build it? 3. We built a single bike lane (on a highway), but nobody uses it. How is there demand for walkable/bikeable areas when almost nobody is biking/walking? 4. Housing in the urban center is much more expensive than housing in the suburbs. Shouldn't we keep building more single-family housing to provide affordable housing, instead of expensive dense housing? (Specifically, people think building more urban housing will only make housing more expensive) These are some of the most frequent questions I receive from older folks when I try to advocate for more inclusive zoning. I love Not Just Bikes, and I have sent Jason's videos to Zoomers and Millennials who simultaneously love his work for opening their eyes and hate it for ruining their blissful ignorance. However, I really have a hard time explaining almost any Strong Towns concept to the Baby Boomer crowds that make up the majority of the people involved in local government. I would really appreciate content geared towards this generation that I could use to persuade fellow committee members to build a better city for the generations to come.

[@Jacksparrow4986]

Try oh the urbanity. They have a really positive vibe in their videos and great content.

[@jasonreed7522]

NJB gives you the language needed to properly articulate what you have always felt but could never quite put your finger on as to why our cities just feel wrong/uncomfortable. He is also pessimistic about everything which i get but somethings you just aren't in the mood for that. (It does feel like most of society is content to be trapped in car dependency and suburia and yet everyone seems to despise suburbs.)

[@ToomanyFrancis]

I also live in the Bus, or atleast the greater Columbus area, and I will be going to zoning and development meetings at some point in the coming months because my work schedule will be changing. I genuinely believe central Ohio could be a wonderful area to live, if you ignore the general state of the US. Areas like the Short North and German village would benefit greatly if car traffic were cut off entirely in them.

[@sachadee.6104]

KEEP IT UP !!!!

[@krazoe6258]

Not rude, just picked up the Dutch habit of speaking the truth

[@SonjaHamburg]

Car Dependency sounds like something from a dystopian novel!!! As European, i grew up going everywhere by bike, foot, train, bus,... . I'm 40 and still never owned a car.

[@KRYMauL]

This new guy is good.

[@ZentaBon]

Strong towns isn't new, seems their KZbin presence may be though. Glad they're here.

[@strongtowns]

@@ZentaBon Glad you both are here!

[@BlueGrovyle]

@@ZentaBon they mean the guy in the video.

[@JAKempelly]

Yeah I'm a fan

[@KRYMauL]

@@ZentaBon I meant the new producer. Strong Towns has been around since 2008 iinm.

[@Pond-erer]

Great video. The suburb I reside in as a renter in Western Massachusetts US is a complete failure. Children have huge yards and quiet cul de sacs yet the norm is there isn’t a kid in sight. The deafening quiet is usually only interrupted by oversized pick up trucks speeding down the roads leaving behind dead squirrels or birds in their tracks. Sadly, a high schooler was killed in a hit and run in this “peaceful” setting. Manicured large lawns are practically mandated. It’s creepy. I just discovered a Strong Towns meeting in the adjacent very small city of Northampton where there’s a lot of city council fighting over how to re-build downtown. Money getting wasted undoing outdoor projects. Unaffordable water rates. Sky high rent. Rather than completely enjoying the relatively clean air and quiet in this suburb I often feel that my activity or soaking up sun and coffee on my steps is being watched closely as a car drives by. Something is definitely wrong with this model. I felt safer and seen riding my bicycle in Boston than here, where all roads are speedways rather than just the freeway. Looking forward to more video. Thanks.

[@lamegaming9835]

am i on the right channel? this video is amazingly produced! awsome explainer!

[@ketch_up]

"orange pilled" LMAO THIS IS ME

[@ketch_up]

Alright, I'm in. I've signed up to help form a group here in Toronto, Ontario.

[@Sebman1113]

As former Minnesota governor Harold LeVander once said trying to fight sprawl in the 1960s, “we will control our cities, or be controlled” (LeVander). He said this when creating the met council. I don’t think it’s being used to it’s full potential to fight sprawl like it’s original intent.

[@doug4431]

The bit about existential dread really hit me. I live in Florida suburbia. Aside from the suburban hellscape, I still want to leave the state. Where I’m torn is if I want to move to another state or another country. The other day I decided to ride my bike to the local library that just opened. It was awful. There aren’t any sidewalks on the road, so I had to cut through a small developing neighborhood onto a larger stroad. Cars speeding up and going into the opposite lane to get past really makes me feel unsafe. I don’t have my license yet, and quite frankly I don’t want to get one. I don’t want to have to drive. But the bike ride really showed me how inhospitable our current infrastructure is to cycling. As much as I enjoyed biking, it’s just far too dangerous for me to want to do it again if I had a license. I’d like to think I’m not the only one who thinks like that, so it’s important to add more options for local transit than just cars.

[@Jlivuk]

Enemy number 1 in Florida, as it is in most states: the state Department of Transportation. The FDOT’s fingerprints are everywhere, alongside those of Enemy Number 2: the county planning departments. Developers will build for maximum profit, as their products are usually highly-leveraged with bank loans, and without good governance you get, well, Florida. I also blame Publix (really) since they seem to fill the poorly-designed strip malls and sustain the business case for sprawl, when Publix could take on a leadership position and demand human-friendly spaces for their stores. As a matter of fact, retailers like Publix could change the shape of Florida if they wanted to, but they don’t seem to care. That leads me to another culprit: the lack of organised public advocacy and activism. Florida residents are transient. They are allured by the cost of living and weather, and within 5 years they are complaining about the hellscape and are ready to leave. They don’t stay long enough to feel rooted and ready to defend a way of life, unless their property values are threatened. If people in Florida stood up more for constructive solutions instead of the grievance politics of Trump and DeSantis, Florida could actually become a decent place to live for everyone.

[@crysstoll1191]

@@Jlivuk Wow, that's a very insightful comment.

[@ryanfraley7113]

@@Jlivuk The grievance politics is just a distraction technique to buy more time for the elites. That’s the main reason.

[@JakeMGolle]

Come to Canada!

[@KelciDComics]

I searched for a Strong Town conversation in my city and didn't find any. So I'm signing up to start one! This video got me motivated to do so

[@PabloSantiago]

Immigrating somewhere else also affects the native population of the place you move to. Often times people who can pack up and leave are willing to pay a premium to live on walkable communities and thus increase housing prices in what is already a very inflated housing market. We must fix our own communities, not push natives out of theirs.

[@karl_margs]

This is one reason why I've toyed with leaving the US, but I'll probably stay here. I was born here, and I want to make it better!

[@rexx9496]

@@karl_margs I respect that approach, but I'm 46 and know I'll probably be long dead before the majority of this country turns against suburbs, drive-thru and strouds. I'm like heck, maybe it's easier to just get outta dodge if I can.

[@Nojaru]

I’ve been wrestling with this very realization just thinking about moving within Canada. Should I abandon my suburb in Ottawa and move toward walkable density in Toronto, or stay in Ottawa and pester councillors and advocate for change in the place I grew up.

[@randgrithr7387]

"Immigration affects the native population." Yeah, so build the wall.

[@sachadee.6104]

@@Nojaru Stay and Pester ! Thank you for your service (and I donot mean it as a joke). I live in VERY rural Canada but as a truck driver find it unbearable to not be able to walk to get groceries in the bigger cities. Why walk you say... well because of the big truck not fitting and the stores are very close, yet... SOOOO far.

[@JeyPeyy]

I'm Swedish, so Strong Towns doesn't really apply to me (since it's an american project). But it's great to see what's happening with this movement. America is a huge exporter of culture discourse, so if this comes to the top of the agenda, I'm sure it's something we'll talk about as well. Our cities aren't as bad as yours, but we do have our fair share of poorly designed suburbs as well. And I love the fact that you talk about LVT as well! People will take the orange pill and the land pill :)

[@avinashreji60]

What part of what happens here in the States spills over into Sweden?

[@aspiringhomesteader636]

Sweden and Europe also have their fair share of housing market dysfunction, and I absolutely believe that strong towns principles of incremental development have a place there as well.

[@marshalllucky7020]

Check out Aesthetic City’s channel. The metric version of Strong Towns 😂

[@louislamonte334]

Indeed, our autocentric, de-personalized, ugly and increasingly cookie-cutter cities are tragically broken!!! Thanks for your excellent videos!!

[@danlc95]

They are terrible.

[@marchomotion]

Yaaaaaaay! A kickoff to a big new 2023 video effort from Strong Towns! Glad you're here, Mike, and glad the team is already obviously seeing how far and wide the message can spread through glossy / punchy video.

[@eyyy2271]

Channels like this, and that urbanist channels are popping off gives me hope. I live in Raleigh and God this city is an utter hellscape, but it has potential.

[@thomasfallows3917]

From the UK where we started to see American style Suburbanization in the 90s and early 2000s with massive out of town shopping lots only accessable by car. Glad to say things have been changing and people are really starting to appreciate our towns again with councils taking action. I really hope this campaign takes off in the USA, its really needed.

[@choco1490]

Yes, I’ve already come to terms that maybe my home city won’t be an Amsterdam in my life time, but I’m sure as hell not gonna cry and do nothing. Set the foundation for the young, celebrate the little wins and keep fighting! 💪🤜

[@tristanridley1601]

It took Amsterdam 30 years. We can do it!

[@panangramgepearanan3974]

Yes, let’s be optimistic! God bless y’all on this journey 🫶🏾❤️🫶🏾

[@AzuriteCoast]

This movement is very important. Thank you for your work.

[@JuanCAraujoS]

I'm from Venezuela and these city issues are part of my everyday life. All cities down here have the same problem: a cheap copy of USA's suburban sprawl lead to a car-dependent city life that is, in a word, horrible. However, I have to rely on a VPN to access your web site and this needs tobe a global conversation.

[@OwlsV]

I get anxiety in cars and it genuinely sucks so much living in a town where everything is far away with stroads and no sidewalks

[@johndraughon7100]

Very excited for this new video production from Strong Towns!

[@_Matt_Matt_365_]

This is the video production that Strong Towns deserve! It be too sad to see such an amazing organization with such potential go unnoticed! I like the new direction you're taking! Keep it up!

[@HH-fm7bt]

Love your ideas and your mustache 👍🏽 Will definitely get involved in something like this in my town thank you! 😊

[@highway2heaven91]

As someone who has been aware of the car-centered approach to development of North America (more so the US than Canada), I couldn’t agree with the message of this video more. As a roadgeek, I have no problem with the concept of freeways, especially to move goods across the country and between cities. However they definitely don’t need to run through inner cities like they do in many American cities. I understand the frustration that a lot of viewers face with America’s autocentrism and whether or not they want to leave. If you’re motivated to stay and keep fighting for more walkable cities and you can’t uproot your NA life, then stay here and keep going. You need to pick the situation that is right for you.

[@ben122]

This is fantastic. As a millennial who just recently bought a house in the suburbs, I recognize I’m part of the problem but want to do what I can by being involved with my city

[@handsfortoothpicks]

Email your city council to tell them about making places more walkable and vote for people who are orange pilled. Also spread the message about this channel. Publicity always helps. Remember, you aren't part of the problem, just a victim of it.

[@antonioortiz3654]

Incredible production quality, Mike. It’s crazy what a difference it makes for the channel. Excited to see more videos and to see Strong Towns’ message continue to reach more people!

[@photosbyernesto9621]

I'm in Australia, but I love your content and message. I'm privileged to live within 4km (about 3miles) of central Melbourne, which means that I live in a walkable part of our city, but our suburbs have been completely built on the US car-centric model, so a lot of your content strikes a chord with me. Keep up the great work!

[@samotte8279]

Love the video! I’m from Nebraska where strong towns is not well known… hopefully that will change soon!

[@fernthaisetthawatkul5569]

Lol are you from my city? I can't believe I spent 20+ YEARS not knowing this was even a problem until i spent literally just one day in a smaller city in the UK! my eyes have been opened to how ugly, sterile, and lifeless most of Omaha's suburbs are!

[@Willp4139]

Yes yes yes! Strong Towns needed this! Thank you to Mike for an excellent first video and welcome to the movement!

[@JonathanSmith2]

Mike, welcome! Your tone and approach is awesome. Really easy to digest and feel like taking action. Strong Towns: way to go. What a great hire.

[@brianm5060]

I shouldn't have to build a Strong Town from scratch. The resentment from previous generations is real.

[@crash.override]

At first, they knew not the ramifications of what they did. Now, they're afraid of change, as with every older generation.

[@AtomicAlchemist]

If only it was just from scratch. Not only do you have to build it, you have to bulldoze the current one first

[@DonJorgeRM]

Excellent video. It'd be cool to have the occasional video about different towns' victories making their community better, what it took and what it looks like. Motivational and informative.

[@LaPlataWard4update]

Timing is everything! Just shared this as I work to start a Local Conversation here in La Plata, Maryland!

[@gijskramer1702]

Pretend it still works. Just need more lanes

[@strongtowns]

just one more.

[@handsfortoothpicks]

@@strongtowns And traffic will be fixed

[@MrTimAuld]

@@strongtowns this on a t-shirt please.

[@jasonreed7522]

One more lane bro, i swear i just need 1 more lane bro. ~The Katty Park Freeway currently backed up on all 26 lanes Which in all seriousness, if a highway ever needs to be wider than 3 lanes or maybe 5-6 accounting for merge & exit lanes its definitely time to investigate an alternative mode of transportation for that route.

[@torzsmokus]

The 1959(?) GM propaganda movie appearing on NJB’s recent video says exactly that 😬

[@ActiveTowns]

Love it! Welcome to the ST team Mike. Look forward to connecting in the future. Cheers! John

[@marxagarden]

As an American expat, I know too well how these patterns of development wreak havoc on communities every time I return home I am reminded of the difficulties of moving around using human power. My current residence in Spain has unfortunately taken on the same models of urbanisation. As a small tourist town too many locals depend on construction as a source of short-term prosperity. The community struggles to envision any other forms of economic growth meanwhile failed housing developments are left unfinished or without basic infrastructure. Your content is an inspiration to be a voice for change.

[@safe-keeper1042]

Yeah, it's ridiculous. Lived in Houston from I was 15 to I was 18 and it was a nice place to live and go to school in many ways, but what a difference it was in terms of car-dependency. In Norway even kids go a lot of places by themselves by walking, riding bikes, or taking the bus. In Houston even teenagers are dependent on their parents to drive them pretty much *everywhere*, unless they are 'lucky' enough to get a driver's license at 16, when they're still way too young to do so, and in a country where driving is incredibly dangerous. It was so incredibly depressing.

[@nivoset]

I love walking and biking places. So much less stress. And kids need a way to be independent, and bike routes do that.

[@Cl0ckcl0ck]

Moms and dads need some private time too. Personal chauffeur shouldn't be in their job description.

[@TuomasLeone]

This is great. I am one who did leave the US, in part due to the car centric lifestyle forced on me. But where I am now, Helsinki, while great isn't perfect, at all. We all have a part to play no matter where we live and I'm grateful to those here who helped, and are continuing to, make my new city as car independent as possible. I hope to join the efforts here myself once my language skills are up to par. What I'd like to see from Strong Towns is some detailed, comparative studies on what's working elsewhere in the world and how that can be best translated to North American communities. NJB does a great job at peeling away at the surface of these topics, but a deep dive into the technicalities of things would be fantastic!

[@Nojaru]

No niin! I’ve fantasized about moving to Finland, maybe Tampere or Oulu. Kippis!

[@JonnyRay82]

Hey!! I'm really excited to see more of these videos. Thanks Mike!!

[@WolfSeril107]

Thank you, this is exactly what we need!

[@El-Burrito]

I don't even live in the USA but NJB has me totally orangepilled. I'm almost completely reliant on cars where I live and I would love to see better infrastructure for walking, cycling and public transport everywhere.

[@benqurayza7872]

I often talked about TOD (Transit Oriented Development) in my state Sierra Club. My associates either could not "understand" me or were offended because I was passing moral judgement on their American suburban way of life. I understand that people want to locate their families in safe, comfortable places with good schools. The Strong Towns movement has to meet that objection.

[@Tristan_Flowers]

This is a super nice new format I feel like it makes this much more approachable for everyone

[@iamian6673]

This is a great move for Strong Towns. These kinds of polished videos are gonna help spread the message far and wide. Thanks Mike!

[@beardannyboy]

Glad to see you're stepping up your media presence

[@SteezeShop]

Leaving a comment because everybody needs to be informed. Love what you guys are doing.

[@DarrienGlasser]

Nashua Strong Towns checking in 💪

[@strongtowns]

Love the work you do to organize change in NH and your fantastic blog!

[@Teckstudio]

Besides the more than important message you are giving, I have to say, that this is an awesome piece of art. All cuts and effects are right on spot. Perfect work!

[@mburgnon]

One thing you miss about not wanting to move abroad... I love my community, state, and country! I genuinely want to see it become better and I think Strong Towns has a wonderful approach to making the place I love meet its potential. I'm looking forward to getting more involved with this movement.

[@jackeckblad]

Evolution in realtime! So awesome to see the movement grow, and, DAMNNNNNN - Mike got skills.

[@safe-keeper1042]

Been orange pilled hard. NJB put into words thoughts I've had for the longest time, some of which I always figured were just inevitable facts of life, like that things had to be as car-centric as they were. So incredibly happy to see this movement starting to really take off. I'm studying geography right now and considering going into city planning to make cities more people-friendly in the future.

[@Ebbagull]

Here because Not Just Bikes told me to subscribe

[@jandraelune1]

You'll be shocked, but many towns and I mean MANY in the US had tram lines in them in addition to the passenger rail connections. Even if it was just a short 3 mile stretch with just 1 car servicing it. Much more modern history with rail many know but might not know to the extant that frieght rail was used with industry shipping, before trucking in came into place in the 70's every factory, warehouse and power plant had its own rail side line. You can still see these old routes by the shape of buildings and even some fence lines or tree lines, some roads or power lines now take up these routes, walking or bike paths take there up now. US cities and towns US to be walkable, that is how they go their start unless they started in the 60's. We need to bring back the old infrastructure with modern tools, not create new. NYC was absolutly rammed with tram lines and service and so was the greater LA metro.

[@owen_nx]

I love the new approach and format. ST has so much knowledge and expertise to help us fix this mess called "white picket fence"

[@FlorianEagox]

I'm blind and car dependency is something that has me in furious fits of rage or tears every day. Memphis has such a long way to go but I'm not strong enough to fight to fix it.

[@LucasFernandez-fk8se]

So move to downtown or to a notoriously walkable city, don’t be mad at everyone else because we don’t want to live in a miserable walkable city

[@Yuvraj.]

@@LucasFernandez-fk8se you and people like you have voted across the country for decades making walkability so scarce that the places that have it are the most desirable and expensive places in the country. That attitude of yours has priced the avg man out of walkability.

[@froglover4203]

@@LucasFernandez-fk8se "Miserable"

[@counterfit5]

@@LucasFernandez-fk8se 🤡

[@GirtonOramsay]

@@LucasFernandez-fk8se why are you here? To crap on a random blind person... This channel fan base only wants walkable cities lmao

[@bradenhazle4378]

Hey Mike! Any addition to the movement to make it more digestible and easier to spread is very welcomed.

[@triple-aries]

I requested to join my local Strong Towns group. It’s based in Asbury Park, NJ. So far, there’s only one member. Hopefully more join!

[@Josh-Teder]

I was def orange pilled by @NotJustBikes 😂. Keep telling my husband we have to move to The Netherlands.

[@jennifertarin4707]

This was suggested to me after I got watching Not Just Bikes talk about the third place. I like what you have so far and am interested in learning more. I hate the way things have changed from being more community oriented, meaning that people would shop, live and work in close(ish) proximity to now having to drive several miles to get to work, the coffee shop, the grocery store and with that, comes massive parking lots which, as we all know, are an environmental disaster.

[@benheaton4486]

Emigrated to the NL a few years ago, but I am still devoted to making our living better at home

[@geertstroy]

Great , finally somebody who sees that he , she , is an emigrant , not an expat , not someone who " moved" , but an emigrant , immigrant , a NEWcomer...

[@armorbearer9702]

Came here from Not Just Bike's channel. Keep up the good work!

[@alexpowers5187]

Wow! What an improvement in quality of video. Glad to see Strong Towns getting more high end in their video production. WARNING - Unsolicited video advice by random commenter: when you transition from indoor to outdoor shots, your audio doesnt reflect that. Visually, you have changed settings, but you haven’t with audio. When you go to an outdoor shot, maybe include that outdoor background noise. Makes the viewer feel more like they are outside with you.

[@wanglelife]

There are also local advocacy groups such as streetsforall in Los Angeles, betterstreetschicago, and so forth.

[@handsfortoothpicks]

Thank you for the info

[@JesusManera]

In my observation from comments on channels like these, a lot of Americans see the options only in extremes - either full blown car dependent suburbia with SFH zoning and parking minimums, OR the European model where they think they won't even be able to own a car or live in a SFH. I have a suggestion of a middle ground to examine, which is the middle-ring suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. The contiguous suburbs of Bentleigh, McKinnon, Glenhuntly, Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Hughesdale and Oakleigh in the city's southeast are an excellent example. The first thing you'll notice is that the houses are predominantly still SFHs. The residential streets are quiet and leafy. The block sizes are generous. It's still car *friendly*, which is different to car dependent. There is still proximity to large shopping malls like Chadstone Shopping Centre and Southland, for those who prefer them (I hate them). BUT. There are no SFH zoning laws. There are no minimum parking laws. Every street has a proper footpath/sidewalk, protected by a nature-strip (grass between sidewalk & road). Importantly, every suburb and its commercial heart is built around one or two train stations. And the suburbs are very compact and contiguous. You can't tell where one starts and another ends, and if you walk 10-15 minutes in any direction, you'll be in another suburb without realising it. They're not separated by empty land, physical barriers or freeways, it's just a continuous grid. As a result, what you get are train stations that are only 800 metres (1/2 mile) apart. Each station, rather than being surrounded by car parking, is the heart of each suburb's shopping and dining precinct, which is more like a traditional "Main Street" (US) or "High Street" (UK) rather than box stores with parking lots. Examples in the area are Koornang Rd in Carnegie, Centre Rd in Bentleigh, Neerim Rd in Murrumbeena, Glenhuntly Rd in Glen Huntly and the whole area around Oakleigh Station with its "Little Athens" in Eaton Mall (a pedestrian street) at the heart of it. Around each station and commercial area are often medium density apartments (4-5 storeys), and the housing density reduces to SFHs as you get into the quieter residential side streets. However, even the quietest side streets can have occasional blocks of flats (usually 2-3 storey walkups), and the lack of strict zoning means you'll find quaint little cafes, local fish & chip shops, restaurants and independent businesses scattered throughout the residential streets away from the main commercial centres. This means that wherever you live in these suburbs, if you walk 10 minutes in any direction you will hit a train station, a very walkable and vibrant shopping/dining precinct, and pass a number other cafes, restaurants, shops, schools & parks along the way. You don't need to drive to the shops or to the station, and shopping isn't a chore. People walk their dogs or prams, sit at their favourite cafe for brunch or take the dog to the park, and pick up shopping on the way home. Overall, the atmosphere is one of people always being out & about enjoying their lifestyle, their neighbourhood, and knowing the locals in their community. Obviously these suburbs don't compare with the inner-city or Europe for walkability & transport because they are still "the suburbs", but for Americans who often believe the only alternative to car dependent suburbia is sacrificing their SFH and car to live in a high or even medium density neighbourhood, these middle-ring Melbourne suburbs are a great example of how well planned, well connected, walkable and mixed use suburbs can offer both suburban living in a single family home AND a livable, walkable neighbourhood at the same time.

[@kttykat6230]

0:47, starting from the top left going clockwise. Austin, Las Vegas, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix?

[@JohnnosaurusREX]

Now that's a jump in video production quality! Keep it up and more people will be willing to listen!

[@ToniGlick]

Schroedinger's suitcase? But seriously, this is a great video. There's talk of people moving to towns or neighborhoods where other like minded people reside. Or conversely, use good strong town examples to show people how great it is.

[@_Matt_Matt_365_]

Now that's the quality I like to see from Strong Towns! I almost thought I clicked on a Vox video! Awesome job!

[@i_dont_want_to_give_google3742]

Austin, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Dallas

[@lillili77]

YES! Thank you for doing this. Am here for being a part of the change.

[@evanbost3888]

Yep, great production hire - nice job Mike!!

[@AnnikaOrne]

Yay!! I want more people to know about this. Glad to see quality content being made about this subject.

[@madisonmoore3501]

Watching these videos made me realize that I don’t actually live “out in the country” like some people say. Those places are surrounded by land. Where I live is cut off from everywhere else because we’re on the wrong side of a sidewalk-less STROAD and can’t walk anywhere safely. Even driving takes 20-30 minutes to get anywhere because all the land is for cars not for people. This needs to change!

[@robbabcock_]

Awesome! I'm pleasantly surprised to see a chapter in Big Timber, about 60 miles from me. Bozeman could really use the changes that Strong Towns advocates for; in fact, it may be the only thing that can save this town.

[@crowlsyong]

Bump for the new homie. Thanks for the quality production

[@Simply_Emu]

I just got the Strong Towns book and am excited to read it. Looking forward to the new content from you guys at Strong Towns

[@jenevievecrouch1145]

As for moving out of the country,I would be homesick and would miss my family but there is not much else.

[@Droidman1231]

My guesses: Top Left: Austin Top Right: Las Vegas Bottom Left: Phoenix Bottom Right: Dallas - Ft Worth Just happy where I grew up, Atlanta, isn't used as am example of sprawl for once haha

[@andolion440]

Cool. I am excited to like in a Strong town. I am so glad you are shifting away from. A city planner community to more of a all inclusive community. I cannot wait to start!

[@sarahshaw-sehgal1146]

YES this is the bump I needed!!! I want to help my city get better, I hate seeing it rot away.

[@erinrising2799]

I recommend walking to your local library for a workout, carrying the books count as weight training

[@therealallpro]

The question I still don’t know is why does the federal government always cover the bill. Why not just let local government fail?

[@gildone84]

Because it would make municipal bonds worthless, thus pissing off Wall St.

[@patchescantpurr2731]

Liking this new video a lot. It's very slick. Looking forward to the next one.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

These videos are amazing about Cities. I bike a lot and Not Just Bikes makes me in favor of Public Transport as well as walkable towns. I'm also nervous of Moving too.

[@pedrosgarden]

Wow, awesome to see Strong Towns move into this type of videos. This is a great way of starting to get the Strong Town ideas to a much wider audience. Not Just Bikes figured it out and it's so so great to see Strong Towns get on board. Chuck and all the Strong Towns team were the ones that got me hooked in all the topics that have now become my centre of focus. So I'm really happy that you are expanding into this sort of content. Hit me up if I can help out with something from out here in Portugal.

[@aaronhill7599]

Yes! More content from Strong Towns please.

[@ReplyMNO]

Already subscribed. Timely message. Need a moment to sort a few things out and can’t wait to help make my community better. Happy New Year to everyone at Strong Towns.

[@danj8048]

Orange pilled from Not Just Bikes 😉

[@aggrogahu]

Thank you for your work, Mike. Your videography and editing add so much and will be doing so much work in forwarding this movement.

[@suiteadditions]

Can't wait to share these new videos!

[@dmadalengoitia]

I've always loved Strong Towns content, and now you are getting better in how that content is being displayed. Nicely done! I hope I see more interviews like the one you made to the guy from the Not only bikes channel, that was also really good

[@weston.weston]

Oh my goodness, so appreciate this segment and just subscribed and hit the notification bell.

[@bicycles-as-far-as-im-aliv5725]

Uh uh. Strong Towns is on YT now! That’s great. I’m subbing

[@alexnoman1498]

NJB sent me, your work is incredibly important. Good luck with these!