What is the difference between a street and a road in strong towns?

Okay, so what’s the deal with streets versus roads in Strong Towns? It’s a bigger difference than you might think, honestly. I mean, at first glance, they both seem like, you know, places you drive on. Right?

But in the Strong Towns philosophy—and this really clicked for me after reading Strong Towns, I highly recommend it—roads are all about getting somewhere else fast. Think of those massive highways, zooming past farmland, barely touching towns. Pure efficiency, designed for speed, not much else. They’re great for long trips, sure, but they don’t really build anything. It’s like, they just… exist. They’re kinda boring, honestly. Remember that time I drove across I-80 for eight hours straight? Yeah, that was a road.

Streets, on the other hand? That’s where the magic happens! Streets are about the place itself. They’re designed so people can actually live there, work there, shop there, be there. Think of my favorite little street back home – Elm Street. It’s got those cute little shops, the bakery with the amazing croissants (oh my gosh, those croissants!), and a park where kids play. It’s all woven together. It’s about building a thriving community, and that, my friends, is what makes a town strong.

The difference? It’s a difference between investment and expenditure, if that makes any sense. Roads, often, are just expenses, eating up money and resources. Streets? They’re investments, building wealth and community. It’s a subtle shift in thinking, but a powerful one, you know? Like, if you only build roads, you’re just connecting empty spaces. But if you build streets and connect them well, you’re building something that truly lasts.