Everyday Walkability in a Small Town - 📽️ Video Supplement

Thanks for checking out this resource page connected to our video 8 Grocery Bags, No Car. This companion page is part of the Strong Towns Action Lab, where you’ll find tools, case studies, and insights to help you understand—and take action on—the challenges facing our streets and neighborhoods today.

We’ve all grown used to spread-out, car-centered development. But it wasn’t always this way. For generations, cities—large and small—were built around a walkable pattern that made space for a variety of ways to get around. You can still see traces of that traditional design in places like Seguin, Texas.

Unfortunately, small towns have been especially harmed by the shift toward car dependency. It’s not just a personal inconvenience when people struggle to get groceries or reach basic services without a car. It’s also a financial burden on the community. The more spread-out the town becomes, the more costly it is to maintain—and the harder it is to afford the infrastructure required to keep things going.

Explore the resources below, and feel free to browse the rest of the Action Lab to dive deeper into walkability, transportation, and the financial health of your place.

Deep Dive

10 Reasons Strong Towns Enhance Community Health
Discover how walkable, financially resilient communities aren’t just good policy—they’re good for your physical, mental, and social health. This article highlights ten powerful connections between Strong Towns principles and community well-being.
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A Conversation with Walkability Expert Jeff Speck
Urban designer Jeff Speck has helped cities across the country rethink their approach to street design. In this interview, he shares insights on what makes places walkable—and why that matters more than ever.
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Want Community? Build Walkability
If you want to build a stronger community, start with your streets. This short piece explains why walkability is about more than getting from point A to B—it’s about creating the space for meaningful human connection.
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Walkable Places Are Growing in Value
Walkable places aren’t just better for people—they’re proving to be more financially valuable too. Explore the growing demand for neighborhoods where daily life doesn’t depend on a car.
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Aligning Transportation with Strong Towns Principles (Paid Course)
Want to go deeper? This self-paced online course helps you rethink how transportation planning can support financially strong, people-friendly places. Perfect for advocates, planners, and city officials alike.
View the course →

Crash Analysis Studio
Want to change your street but don’t know where to start? This free tool helps you analyze crash data and make the case for safer, more human-centered design in your own town.
Explore the Studio →

A Sneak Preview of Walkable City Rules
Jeff Speck’s follow-up to Walkable City offers 101 practical rules for making any place more walkable. This preview highlights key takeaways for anyone ready to take action on street design.
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