In 2021, Massachusetts signed a law requiring communities that are served by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) to legalize multifamily housing development near MBTA transit stations. Recently, a state court ruled that the state has the authority to sue cities and towns that don’t comply.

In this episode of Upzoned, Abby and Chuck discuss whether that’s a good idea, the broader trend of states intervening in city zoning practices, and how the root issue is actually poor transportation investment practices.

“Court Ruling Paves the Way For State to Sue Towns With Exclusionary Zoning Laws” by Christian MilNeil, StreetsblogMASS (January 2025).

“Our Financial System Favors Large-Scale Development…but at What Cost?” with Coby Lefkowitz.

Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

In California, many major insurers have recently dropped homeowners in high risk areas from their plans, forcing them to seek alternate coverage with the state. However the state has nowhere near enough money to cover current property damage costs, a situation that will likely get worse as wildfires continue to burn.

In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss the impact of natural disasters on the insurance industry, the feasibility of government-run insurance programs, and what this might mean for California in the long term.

Support Southern California Wildfire Relief. (Thank you to Strong Towns Artesia for providing this resource!)

“California’s Insurance System Faces Crucial Test as Losses Mount” by Christopher Flavelle, The New York Times (January 2025).

Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

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In this episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by Kevin Klinkenberg, an urban designer, planner and executive director of a place management organization. They discuss how a middle-class life — especially homeownership — has become increasingly difficult for younger generations to attain. They also cover the factors that contribute to this difficulty and possible responses.

“Is a Middle Class Life Still Attainable?” by Tom Owens, Aaron Renn Substack (December 2024).

Read more from Kevin Klinkenberg on Strong Towns or his Substack The Messy City.

Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

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In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn talk about satellite communities — towns that are developed a distance away from existing urbanized areas. They also discuss the psychological phenomena that incline people toward big projects that may solve an immediate issue (such as housing) but will cause larger difficulties later on (such as maintenance debt).

“Tewin's $590M infrastructure bill locks in 'forever sprawl,' councillor says” by Arthur White-Crummey, CBC Ottawa (June 2024).

Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

Canada needs an additional 3.5 million housing units by 2030, and that means Canadian cities — as well as many others throughout North America — are facing the challenge of building more housing without wasting natural resources like mature trees. In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss this balancing act, the high value that trees bring to a community, and why sacrificing “urban forests” for housing doesn’t have to mean sacrificing those trees.

“Can urban forests survive the housing boom?” by Hanna Hett, Canada’s National Observer (October 2024).

Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

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In this episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by Andrew Ganahl, managing partner of a real estate development company that specializes in urban infill housing. They discuss a Washington Post article about townhouses, exploring the benefits of this style of development and Ganahl’s own experiences with building townhouses in Kansas City.

“The new American Dream should be a townhouse” by Amanda Shendruk and Heather Long, The Washington Post (October 2024).

Andrew Ganahl (AND Real Estate site).

Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

Post-COVID-19, there’s been a resurgence of interest in mixed-use neighborhoods, leading some cities to allow for small corner stores even in neighborhoods that are otherwise residential only.

In this Upzoned episode, host Abby Newsham is joined by Norm Van Eeden Petersman, the director of membership and development for Strong Towns. They discuss the role that small corner stores play in local economies, the benefits of allowing residents to continue using and creating these kinds of businesses, and how to talk to your local government about allowing this kind of use in your own community.

Become a member today!

“The Corner Store Comeback” by Linda Baker, Bloomberg (October 2024).

Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

After the collapse of a Florida condo made national news in 2021, new safety regulations were enacted, requiring nearly 90% of Florida units to be updated. This left condo owners and buyers blindsided by a large backlog of deferred maintenance costs with no money saved to pay for them.

In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn explain that this situation is an example of the Growth Ponzi Scheme, where maintenance costs are hidden by rapid growth until they eventually come due and bury people or communities in debt. They discuss the effect deferred maintenance has on individuals and communities and explore possible paths forward.

“Why Owning (and Buying) a Florida Condo Has ‘Turned Into a Nightmare’” by Julia Echikson, The New York Times (October 2024).

Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

In this episode of Upzoned, host Abby Newsham is joined by John Anderson, a builder and developer in Georgia, to discuss the Strong Towns take on “urban homesteading,” where cities sell derelict houses to people for $1 in exchange for a promise to renovate the property and live there for a period of time.

“Can Selling Off Homes for $1 Solve Urban Blight?” by Rowan Bridge, BBC (October 2024).

Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

Chuck Marohn (X/Twitter).

Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.

In this episode of Upzoned, co-hosts Abby Newsham and Chuck Marohn discuss managed retreat, where the federal government buys land from people to encourage them to move away from areas at high risk for natural disaster. According to the article, to actually move the necessary amount of people, the government needs to increase its efforts by a factor of 200.

Chuck and Abby talk about the issues with this method of natural disaster management, as well as other common approaches like rebuilding disaster areas to be more fortified, and share their thoughts on alternative responses to natural disasters.

Ways to help Western North Carolina, suggested by Local Conversations in the area:

Manna Food Bank.

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund.

Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue.

Cajun Navy.

Beloved Asheville.

“Retreating From the Coasts Makes Sense, But Our Current Approach Isn’t Working,” by Tim Robustelli and Yuliya Panfil, Shelterforce Magazine (August 2024).

Abby Newsham (X/Twitter).

Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).

Theme Music by Kemet the Phantom.