Updated Articles

  1.  When Should Cities Take On Debt?

    Last Updated: 05/31/2019
    Here is Chuck Marohn's brief answer to this question—framed as "What should cities issue bonds for?"– from a previous Ask Strong Towns live webcast: Here is an edited transcript of the answer: When Should Citi...

  2.  What Makes a Good TIF Project Proposal?

    Last Updated: 05/30/2019

  3.  What is the Strong Towns Take on Downzoning?

    Last Updated: 05/30/2019

  4.  What Qualify as Core Services in the Strong Towns Framework?

    Last Updated: 05/17/2019
    The core services that local governments provide, such as maintenance and public safety, are essential to a functional city. Local governments use the tax revenue they collect to fund various programs (or core services). However, as with any instit...

  5.  How to Discuss Road Widenings with the Department of Transportation

    Last Updated: 05/16/2019
    The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for maintaining and creating the United State's transportation systems and infrastructure. You may associate the DOT's work with highways on the edge of the city. However, its infrastruct...

  6.  What's the Strong Towns Approach to Impact Fees?

    Last Updated: 05/16/2019
    An impact fee (which we call an exaction fee throughout this video) is a fee local governments impose on a new development. The fee is intended to pay for all or a portion of the cost for the cities to provide public services to the development. (Th...

  7. How would a strong town rebuild after a natural disaster?

    Last Updated: 05/10/2019
    After Santa Rosa, California sustained several damage from wildfires in 2017, several Strong Towns members raised the question, "How do we rebuild according to Strong Towns principles?" And equally important, "How do we have that conv...

  8.  How can cities start revitalizing their downtowns?

    Last Updated: 05/09/2019
    Learn the best way citizens can contribute to revitalizing their downtown.

  9.  Understanding the costs and benefits of street trees

    Last Updated: 05/02/2019
    At Strong Towns, we love street trees. They shade sidewalks and streets so people can comfortably walk or ride their bike, increase the value of a neighborhood, and people to drive slower. However, concerned with the infrastructure underneath ...

  10.  How does a land value tax work in predominantly rural areas?

    Last Updated: 05/02/2019
    In spring 2019, we dedicated a week of content to discuss the land value tax: a tax that is assessed on the value of a piece of land, rather than the value of the buildings that sit on it. Under a land tax, you are effectively taxed on the value of ...

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