A Strong Towns podcast discusses an unspoken “grand bargain” in housing where most neighborhoods remain unchanged while a few, often marginalized areas face radical transformation. This all-or-nothing approach, stemming from post-WWII development, leads to stagnant areas susceptible to decline and chosen neighborhoods experiencing disruptive redevelopment and displacement. The podcast proposes a new grand bargain where every neighborhood undergoes gradual, incremental change, fostering organic growth and preventing drastic overhauls in any single area. This shift would allow cities to evolve naturally, become more financially resilient, and create more stable, recognizable communities. The speaker advocates for policy changes and a cultural shift to embrace this incremental development as a healthier and more sustainable path forward for housing and urban development.

https://www.strongtowns.org/