Stronger Than Just Growing

Rethink economic development with bottom-up strategies that build lasting community prosperity

Cities chase growth as a proxy for prosperity, but conventional approaches often leave communities fragile and insolvent. In Stronger Than Just Growing: Jobs, Growth, and Prosperity in a Strong Town, Charles Marohn exposes the illusions behind modern economic development and presents principles rooted in the Strong Towns movement: bottom-up, place-based, financially durable, and built to last.

Drawing on historical insight, field-tested concepts, and real-world examples, the book charts a new path for communities seeking genuine strength over mere expansion. Marohn challenges the big-project thinking that dominates local planning and offers practical alternatives focused on incremental, sustainable development. Readers gain a framework for evaluating growth strategies and building resilience from the ground up.

Readers will also find:

• A critique of conventional economic development practices and the assumptions that make communities more fragile over time
• Place-based principles for building financial durability and long-term community resilience without chasing growth for its own sake
• Real-world examples demonstrating how towns have implemented bottom-up approaches to achieve sustainable prosperity and strength
• Practical frameworks for local leaders evaluating development proposals and distinguishing genuine value creation from illusory growth metrics
• Historical context explaining how communities arrived at current development patterns and what alternatives have proven effective

Ideal for local government leaders, urban planners, development professionals, and community activists, Stronger Than Just Growing provides a roadmap for anyone seeking alternatives to conventional growth strategies and wanting to build communities that are financially resilient and genuinely prosperous.