What are 'strong towns' — and why is this architect bringing the philosophy to Windsor?

Safer streets, better urban design and a focus on reliable, accessible transit. 

These are all components of "strong towns," a design philosophy and international advocacy group one local architect is bringing to Windsor. 

"My main goal is to get Windsor to have safer and better designed streets and public infrastructure, better public transit, and I hope to unify all the activist groups here in Windsor who all want the same thing," said Zach Teall. 

The "strong town" philosophy and Strong Towns, the non-profit organization, are based in the idea that a car-centric society has a negative impact on cities and their residents: It means extra expense, lack of walkable streets and decline of small businesses. Instead, the group hopes to build resiliency in cities through better urban design. 

In bringing the group to Windsor, Teall says the city needs to work on improving its public transit and design of streets. 

"The concerns are pretty uniform across everybody I've spoken to. So far, nobody is happy with the way the busing system is working. Nobody is happy with the lack of bike infrastructure and the lack of pedestrian infrastructure," Teall said.

 "Everybody seems to want the same thing and it's a safer and better designed city that we just don't have." 

Teall says part of that work is to bring together different advocacy groups in Windsor — including Activate Transit Windsor Essex. 

"Joining that partnership is going to be really beneficial for us since they have similar goals to us," said Joshua Sankarlal, a steering committee member. 

He says that Strong Towns isn't only  about cars and trains but about making sure that citizens don't have to go out of their way for basic necessities. 

While he's been organizing behind the scenes for months, Teall just recently publicized that a Strong Towns chapter is coming to Windsor. 

So far about 200 people have come together. 

Nicolas Lamoureux is a licensed architect who has been living in Windsor for three years. He works in Detroit and knew about Strong Towns because of a chapter there, and recently joined the group in Windsor. 

"In my job we really push for better urban design, safer and stronger communities," Lamoureux said, noting concerns about car dependency in the city. 

"If you're constantly dependent on a car to get your groceries, to go to church, to go to your doctor's office, whatever you need, that's forcing people into an economic situation that's not necessarily capable for everyone in Windsor." 

Teall has been working on a new concept drawing for Dougall Avenue. He says the current street is too wide, leading to a higher chance of speeding. He also says the road's bus stops should be a little more widely spaced.

"These changes would allow people to walk places and bike places," Teall said. "It would increase local businesses.I think the city needs to redesign its urbanism to look more pedestrian friendly and not so car centric."

While Strong Towns is new to Windsor, there are chapters in other Canadian cities.

For now, Teall says he's building public awareness of the group on social media and is working on plans for their first public event: a garbage cleanup around the city. 

"If you aren't happy with the way Windsor is looking," he said, "or the way that the infrastructure is, then you should help us fight for this."