At the end of May, Strong Towns hosted its inaugural National Gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was a two-day event packed with different speakers and sessions, where we heard from Strong Towns members about how they’re making incremental housing possible in their communities, how highways are destructive and how people are fighting expansions, how the property tax system is broken and what we can do about it, and so much more. In this Upzoned episode, host Abby Kinney goes behind the scenes with Strong Towns staffers Norm Van Eeden Petersman and Rachel Quednau. They chat about how the National Gathering came together, a few lessons learned, and some possible changes for future gatherings.

“You don't have to leave your neighborhood to live in a better one,” Majora Carter, TED (2022).

Abby Kinney (Twitter).

Norm Van Eeden Petersman (Twitter). 

Rachel Quednau (LinkedIn).

Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.