Charles L. Marohn Knihy

This work serves as a logical continuation of Chuck's Strong Towns, focusing on key transportation insights developed over a decade of writing. The original article, "Confessions of a Recovering Engineer," remains the most widely read piece on the Strong Towns website. Recent years have seen a surge in public interest in local communities and their improvement, with more individuals eager to engage in community development. This book examines transportation systems, a fundamental aspect of any community, and empowers non-technical readers—including planners, elected officials, and the public—to question established engineering practices that shape their cities. It provides insights into the design of streets, roads, and highways, emphasizing the importance of transportation design for thriving communities. Readers will learn about the negative impacts of poor design through real examples and explore case studies where improvements have revitalized communities. The work encourages a deeper understanding of transportation's role in community health and offers guidance on how to advocate for better design practices that serve local needs.

A new way forward for sustainable quality of life in cities of all sizes is presented through forward-thinking ideas that challenge modern wisdom and offer a fresh vision for urban development in the United States. The author, co-founder of the Strong Towns movement, explains why cities struggle to meet their basic needs and introduces a paradigm that addresses this issue. The conventional approach of inducing growth and development as a response to urban financial challenges is examined, revealing its inadequacy. New developments and high-risk investments fail to generate sufficient wealth for sustainability, leaving cities in continued distress. This book emphasizes the importance of bottom-up investments that minimize risk while enhancing community financial strength and improving residents' quality of life. Readers will gain a deep understanding of the flawed logic behind the traditional pursuit of endless urban growth and discover practical solutions for financial challenges through low-risk investments and grassroots initiatives. Insights and tools are provided to help break the cycle of budget shortfalls and downturns. By shifting focus from top-down growth to rebuilding prosperity, community leaders can embrace a revolutionary approach to urban development that acknowledges existing problems and charts a new path forward.