It is exciting to think that more livable, more walkable cities are also generate more wealth and tax revenues. Doing right by pedestrians and cyclists can make a city more fun, healthy, and affluent for everyone.
It's so wild how we built deadly spaces in our human environments. Putting pedestrians in the clear zone, the space purposefully cleared of obstacles because designers fully expect cars to veer off at high speeds, is negligent.
We also need separate design standards for roads vs streets just like how it is in Europe. New neighbourhoods should not be built in the same deadly fashion.
Pure respect for the guy, working on something all those years and finding out it's the wrong way of thinking/doing too going out there and doing something about it!
Came to Strong Towns when I started watching Jason Slaughter's Not Just Bikes UA-cam channel. Not Just Bikes comes at the information Charles is trying to provide from the other side of the coin: see what life is like when you DON'T build communities like the US does. Both are absolutely vital if the US (and Canada) want to start building communities for people, and not just cars.
I cannot like this video enough. Glad to see reporting like this from larger publications. It's great that he touched on the taxes and economical aspects of it. While I would much rather cities to be built more compact, no matter what the immediate impact, the only way to get the concept into the thick skulls of those in charge is to tell them how much money they'll save.
I like that a lot of this was focused on economic impact. Things like safety for pedestrians or a place being nice to walk around are important, but let's be honest, if you're already driving everywhere, you probably don't care that much about that...
I feel like they left out the part about, if there are more people walking/biking, there will be fewer cars on the road as well. And if the jobs are paired with more local compact housing, driving won't be as necessary for daily life, saving lots of money, and road use.
@@themanyouwanttobe Sure, maybe. I just would say, if you're saying all Americans are car-obsessed, I don't agree with that. But maybe you actually are separating "the Americans that are car-obsessed" and the ones that aren't. I just feel like many people here consider it a tool. But I do realize the obsessed exist.
@@themanyouwanttobe I feel like car-minded Americans would appreciate less congestions at rush hours, especially those who live in the suburbs and drive to other cities to work.
@@EdwardChan.999 A big part of the problem is that a huge majority do just that. NJB talks often about the "missing middle" 4-12 unit apartments that we just don't build in NA.
I hope that North America take this to heart but unfortunately way too many car brains out there that only cares about themselves. I'm all for this type of developement direction
Most Americans I talk to are very receptive to these ideas, it all depends on how you start off the conversation. If you say “Let’s make people in cars slow down” you get people shouting, but if you give an explanation like the video, most people are very understanding
@MrPritosRing I believe you may have hit the reason why Charles L. Marohn left his city's planning department. Where else was he going to find like minded people.
Yes, but this is just an introduction to the issue, which has many different aspects. Zoning is a big part of the issue, but this keeps a more focused view on car-dependency, to not overwhelm people with ideas
Watching from the Netherlands where one can easily walk and cycle in beautiful town and city centres, I applaud Charles Marohn and his organisation for their extraordinary work in the US. American towns and cities have become urban wastelands crisscrossed by busy, crazy arterials. There is nothing remotely interesting to enjoy along the ubiquitous stroads--ugly, uninspiring box stores and car parks. The US once had glorious cities before the automobile became king. Perhaps Strong Towns can turn the tide. (Albeit a Dutchman, I grew up in auto centric California. Now retired, I live again in the fatherland--in wonderful, historic Middelburg.)
Given the direction of US politics where rich people and corporations are provided for at the cost of helping the middle class and poor people, I don't see this happening any time soon. Helping the middle class and poor people doesn't put enough money in rich people's and corporate pockets.
If I had my way as supreme leader of everything, I'd cancel all suburban developments overnight and redirect efforts to make medium and high density walkable neighborhoods in every struggling city in America/Canada (which is almost all of them). As soon as the housing crisis is met with affordable, attainable living spaces, the suburbs can resume, and this time with the ability to construct low impact businesses and amenities in every new neighborhood to serve the people and help us rely less on cars.
This model of stroads is based on money not prosperity. Money is not the same as prosperity UNLESS you literally are able to avoid stroads. Maybe a tank or a Cybertruck saves drivers from risk of death. Maybe not. I dunno. Ugly stroads are also depressingly dispiriting. Is that the point? Speed is not everything. Hurrying to our own or someone’s death or body-mangling pain and injury is also ugly ahd dispiriting. Say you survive and end up with or without manslaughter on your record UNLESS you literally find joy in the prospect. Or are numbly indifferent and/or ignorant of the point of traffic laws. I am all for paring down roads rather severely because at this point the are bloat financially and needlessly … well ugly.
The way cities are designed, has been proved thats its one of the trashiests, most boring, deadliests ways of creating cities and things need to change, too many people have paid the price
I get what you’re saying but the problem is very multifaceted. The way these environments are built are: Dangerous Unreliable for traffic Fiscal suicide And all of that is rooted in a bit of history that made it so that there only is legislation and policy to make these places.
PBS please put Charles Marohn and Strong Towns on air more. The Strong Towns conversation needs to spread. There's so much to unpack.
coming from youtube recommend i did not realize that i am watching PBS - mico
Charles Marohn and Strong Towns offer so much wisdom and insight. Such valuable information, everyone needs to hear what this man has to say.
Agreed.
And you can. He has a very active UA-cam channel called "Chuck from Strong Town".
It is exciting to think that more livable, more walkable cities are also generate more wealth and tax revenues. Doing right by pedestrians and cyclists can make a city more fun, healthy, and affluent for everyone.
Exactly. This is why this needs to change
It's so wild how we built deadly spaces in our human environments. Putting pedestrians in the clear zone, the space purposefully cleared of obstacles because designers fully expect cars to veer off at high speeds, is negligent.
Wondered some of that myself.
Almost though Charles Manohn could have called his organization "Roads Designed to Kill You".
More Urbanist content please PBS! Another good one is Not Just Bikes
We also need separate design standards for roads vs streets just like how it is in Europe. New neighbourhoods should not be built in the same deadly fashion.
Pure respect for the guy, working on something all those years and finding out it's the wrong way of thinking/doing too going out there and doing something about it!
Yes but all he had to do was travel to Europe. He would quickly realize that cities can be better planned and more efficient.
More North Americans need to be aware of this! Please bring this guy in for another video.
Came to Strong Towns when I started watching Jason Slaughter's Not Just Bikes UA-cam channel. Not Just Bikes comes at the information Charles is trying to provide from the other side of the coin: see what life is like when you DON'T build communities like the US does. Both are absolutely vital if the US (and Canada) want to start building communities for people, and not just cars.
Removing "stroads" benefits drivers too, as more people will walk if they feel comfortable on proper streets, leading to less cars on the road.
I'm happy that PBS is featuring Strong Towns, this movement really needs more exposure!
I cannot like this video enough. Glad to see reporting like this from larger publications. It's great that he touched on the taxes and economical aspects of it. While I would much rather cities to be built more compact, no matter what the immediate impact, the only way to get the concept into the thick skulls of those in charge is to tell them how much money they'll save.
Great coverage on a huge issue
I like that a lot of this was focused on economic impact. Things like safety for pedestrians or a place being nice to walk around are important, but let's be honest, if you're already driving everywhere, you probably don't care that much about that...
Excellent video, very informative
I feel like they left out the part about, if there are more people walking/biking, there will be fewer cars on the road as well.
And if the jobs are paired with more local compact housing, driving won't be as necessary for daily life, saving lots of money, and road use.
Probably intentionally. Car-obsessed Americans don't like the notion that they might be one of the ones not in their car.
@@themanyouwanttobe
Sure, maybe.
I just would say, if you're saying all Americans are car-obsessed, I don't agree with that.
But maybe you actually are separating "the Americans that are car-obsessed" and the ones that aren't.
I just feel like many people here consider it a tool.
But I do realize the obsessed exist.
@@themanyouwanttobe I feel like car-minded Americans would appreciate less congestions at rush hours, especially those who live in the suburbs and drive to other cities to work.
@@EdwardChan.999 A big part of the problem is that a huge majority do just that. NJB talks often about the "missing middle" 4-12 unit apartments that we just don't build in NA.
Density and walkable neighborhoods also make for great places to put public transit.
Thanks. Very informative. I appreciate this knowledge. It's very insightful and informative.
Great video! I've been following Strong Towns for a bit and I'm glad to see it be further publicized
I hope that North America take this to heart but unfortunately way too many car brains out there that only cares about themselves. I'm all for this type of developement direction
The things is: its also bad for cars. It leads to more cars on the roads and thus longer travel time
Most Americans I talk to are very receptive to these ideas, it all depends on how you start off the conversation. If you say “Let’s make people in cars slow down” you get people shouting, but if you give an explanation like the video, most people are very understanding
@MrPritosRing I believe you may have hit the reason why Charles L. Marohn left his city's planning department. Where else was he going to find like minded people.
I wish we had presidents and politicians like Charles. Instead we’re stuck with old, decrepit politicians who are too stubborn to change.
Isnt part of the problem zoning laws? If I want to run to a store, I have to get into my car to do it so I can go to the commercial district
Yes, but this is just an introduction to the issue, which has many different aspects. Zoning is a big part of the issue, but this keeps a more focused view on car-dependency, to not overwhelm people with ideas
This is something ST talks about. The full interview is probably even longer than what is shown here.
Great video, cities and towns should be designed for people to live in, not for cars to drive through
Unfortunately many grew up around junction of highway where cars rule.
Looks like it is going to take a long time to change.
From what I've seen here - it would have helped to include a link to Charles L. Marohn's UA-cam channel called "Chuck from Strong Town".
Really insightful video!
Watching from the Netherlands where one can easily walk and cycle in beautiful town and city centres, I applaud Charles Marohn and his organisation for their extraordinary work in the US. American towns and cities have become urban wastelands crisscrossed by busy, crazy arterials. There is nothing remotely interesting to enjoy along the ubiquitous stroads--ugly, uninspiring box stores and car parks. The US once had glorious cities before the automobile became king. Perhaps Strong Towns can turn the tide. (Albeit a Dutchman, I grew up in auto centric California. Now retired, I live again in the fatherland--in wonderful, historic Middelburg.)
Given the direction of US politics where rich people and corporations are provided for at the cost of helping the middle class and poor people, I don't see this happening any time soon. Helping the middle class and poor people doesn't put enough money in rich people's and corporate pockets.
If you ask me, this is a no-brainer 😁
Yep. No brainer.
I hear what you're saying, but listen I have an idea you may not have considered. What if, hear me out here, we added *one* more lane?
If I had my way as supreme leader of everything, I'd cancel all suburban developments overnight and redirect efforts to make medium and high density walkable neighborhoods in every struggling city in America/Canada (which is almost all of them). As soon as the housing crisis is met with affordable, attainable living spaces, the suburbs can resume, and this time with the ability to construct low impact businesses and amenities in every new neighborhood to serve the people and help us rely less on cars.
Thanks for adding your vision to this forum on housing and development, @pux0rb.
@@ThirteenWNET Haha you're welcome. As supreme leader of everything, compliments please me.
Roads and parking lots don’t pay taxes or shop.
DANSKA REIGNS SUPREME
This model of stroads is based on money not prosperity. Money is not the same as prosperity UNLESS you literally are able to avoid stroads. Maybe a tank or a Cybertruck saves drivers from risk of death. Maybe not. I dunno. Ugly stroads are also depressingly dispiriting. Is that the point? Speed is not everything. Hurrying to our own or someone’s death or body-mangling pain and injury is also ugly ahd dispiriting. Say you survive and end up with or without manslaughter on your record UNLESS you literally find joy in the prospect. Or are numbly indifferent and/or ignorant of the point of traffic laws.
I am all for paring down roads rather severely because at this point the are bloat financially and needlessly … well ugly.
"it's not contmplated"....
Wait, what is this video about again?
The way cities are designed, has been proved thats its one of the trashiests, most boring, deadliests ways of creating cities and things need to change, too many people have paid the price
North American Cities specifically are the bad ones
I get what you’re saying but the problem is very multifaceted. The way these environments are built are:
Dangerous
Unreliable for traffic
Fiscal suicide
And all of that is rooted in a bit of history that made it so that there only is legislation and policy to make these places.