Bad Math and the Panther’s Path
For years, Urban3’s deep, customized data analyses have been used to interrogate systems of planning, design, and land use across the country. In one southern Florida county, the firm’s work was used to quite literally put these systems on trial. Specifically, Urban3’s Joe Minicozzi was called as an expert witness on behalf of the Conservancy… Continue Reading »
The Cartography of Racism
Redlining is a discriminatory practice that puts services (financial and otherwise) out of reach for residents of certain areas based on race or ethnicity. It created maps that reinforced systematic denial of mortgages, insurance, loans, and other financial services based on location (and that area’s default history) rather than on an individual’s qualifications and creditworthiness…. Continue Reading »
Growing Lasting Wealth in Cobb County
Communities like Cobb County must address the problems that have plagued them from the outset by encouraging the style of development that produces true value per acre. Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/8/7/growing-lasting-wealth-in-cobb-county
Niagara’s Fall and Asheville’s Unlikely Rise
70 years ago, these two historic cities were on a similar path. Then one fell into debt while the other was swimming in money. You might be surprised by what they each look like today. Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/7/31/niagaras-fall-and-ashevilles-unlikely-rise
Seeing the Forest without the Trees
The scale and value of what we’ve sacrificed in order to build parking lots and highways is staggering. Only by understanding that loss can we figure out how to build stronger towns. Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/7/27/seeing-the-forest-without-the-trees
Mapping the Effects of California’s Prop 13
Our maps visualize the shocking disparities in who is actually footing municipal bills in California. Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/7/20/mapping-the-effects-of-californias-prop-13
Breaking Down Atlanta’s Suburban Experiment
Our resident GeoAccountant™ holds a webcast with Strong Towns President Chuck Marohn. If you’re interested in learning more about our mapping process, look no further. Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/7/11/breaking-down-atlantas-suburban-experiment
Farm Tax Follies
Now, the story of a wealthy family who sold their farm and the developer who exploited an agricultural tax subsidy to keep it all together. Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/7/6/when-a-farm-isnt-really-a-farm
How Property Taxes Shape Our Cities
Taxation is a powerful planning tool, whether we want it to be or not. Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/6/28/how-property-taxes-shape-our-cities
Why We Measure Land in Value Per Acre
Let’s reframe the way we look at land. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, we just have to use the development pattern that has proven itself to grow value over time. Source: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2018/6/22/miles-per-gallon-tank-value-per-acre