Charles Marohn

Charles Marohn - known as "Chuck" to friends and colleagues - is a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in the State of Minnesota and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). He is the Founder and President of Strong Towns. Marohn has a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute. 

Marohn is the lead author of Thoughts on Building Strong Towns — Volume 1 and Volume 2 — as well as A World Class Transportation System. He hosts the Strong Towns Podcast and is a primary writer for Strong Towns’ web content. He has presented Strong Towns concepts in hundreds of cities and towns across North America.

Chuck grew up on a small farm in Central Minnesota. The oldest of three sons of two elementary school teachers, he joined the Minnesota National Guard on his 17th birthday during his junior year of high school and served for nine years. In addition to being passionate about building a stronger America, he loves playing music, is an obsessive reader and religiously follows his favorite team, the Minnesota Twins.

Chuck and his wife live with their two daughters and two Samoyeds in their hometown of Brainerd, Minnesota.

Running government like a business

Run your city with business principles, just don’t run it with business values.

Charles Marohn / 5 min read
Strengthening local economies, Jane Jacobs style

Many people associate Jacobs with a love of walkable neighborhoods, urban parks and historic buildings. What they fail to grasp is that these are means to an end, not the end itself.

Charles Marohn / 5 min read
A review of the White House infrastructure plan

Last week, a preliminary infrastructure spending plan was leaked, the way things like this often do in our nation’s capital.

Charles Marohn / 5 min read
The Growth Ponzi Scheme

Most American cities find themselves caught in the Growth Ponzi Scheme, experiencing a modest, short term illusion of wealth in exchange for enormous, long term liabilities.

Charles Marohn / 3 min read