Noah Tang 🌹

Teacher & Urbanist, President of Strong Towns Blono, Board Member of Bloomington-Normal Community Land Trust

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@notjustbikes @CityBeautifulYT you've inspired me to do an urbanist side project: "Ghosts of the Past."

Most people don't realize the parking lots in downtowns used to be vibrant storefronts with history and character. #urbanplanning #urbandesign

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@MorganBarrettX Check out Eugene Devs Social Hall in East Buffalo, NY

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@the_transit_guy https://t.co/KS7LTbHyQX

This is the article I look to when our groups fight.

I read Chuck's piece as a "yes and" situation that adds nuance to simpler narratives.

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@HartmanAndrew One of my favorite books. It gives quite a fair view of the history too.

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@orthodoxmason are these tools available?

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@UrbanCourtyard Thanks for featuring us!

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@AndrewSolender @galendruke still runs a successor podcast where they have all the same guests and content called GD Politics Podcast. One of my favs.

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@humantransit As someone who lives in Bloomington-Normal, I have to be selfish and say straight from Chicago to Saint Louis please. Trains on the Lincoln Service up to Chicago are pretty full right now. That demand will skyrocket with the faster times.

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@the_transit_guy I walked through Catfiddle Street earlier this summer. It was magical. You need to check out Charleston's Project 3500. It's their Hail Mary to build many more of these places, affordably.

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@UrbanCourtyard @WalterH17231294 We will be livestreaming the talk to our socials, and the recording will live on our Strong Towns Blono YouTube channel.

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

In 1919, Bloomington made its first real attempt at urban planning. They commissioned Edward Bennett, a partner of urban planner Daniel Burnham, to envision a cultural district center around a civic square on the 200 north block of Prairie Street. It never came to fruition.

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

Today, it has been turned to surface parking. A center of civic life usurped by car storage. One stirs pride, inspiration, and is economically productive. the other: a byproduct of poor planning that deters pedestrians, adds to the urban heat island, & destroys a sense of place.

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@PEWilliams_ Excellent. These accelerator funds work magic. I also would love more logically applied building codes to missing middle housing.

[Alicia, Courtyard Urbanist @UrbanCourtyard]

Hi, Central Illinois! Courtyard Urbanism is coming to Bloomington-Normal (home of Rivian and one of the most promising downtown-repair opportunities in the Midwest) on Thursday, July 23.

Across the Midwest, towns and small cities are asking the same question, "How can we grow again without repeating the mistakes of sprawl, megaprojects, or anonymous apartment blocks?"

Courtyard urbanism offers a practical answer. Mid-rise courtyard blocks can add homes for families with kids, young workers, students, seniors, and local employees while also making downtowns more beautiful, walkable, green, and socially connected. Instead of pushing growth to the edge of town, this model helps repair the center. More residents near shops, schools, parks, transit, restaurants, jobs, and civic life.

Our 2026 Downtown Charrette will begin with public engagement and a keynote from Alicia Pederson, the Courtyard Urbanist, on how Bloomington-Normal and other Midwestern communities can use courtyard blocks to grow their population, welcome families, strengthen local businesses, and dramatically improve urban quality.

The event will be held in the Governor Fifer Courtroom on the third floor. The space is fully elevator accessible.

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@Cobylefko I spent much time in Saint Augustine as a kid, and my family still lives there. My cousin is a developer and I just think there is a lack of vision on what is possible.

Traffic is insane crossing the bridge.... if FL had any guts they'd invest in more dignified transit options.

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@JATompkins From a builder's or buyer's perspective?

[Noah Tang 🌹 @NoahTang2]

@AustinTunnell @1000yearhouse @createstreets What are the impacts of vines on the structural integrity and longevity of the bricks?