26 / Leading one of the most underrated cities in the U.S. / with Tempe Mayor Corey Woods

Corey Woods — Mayor of Tempe, Arizona — is in good traffic while leading a walkable, healthy, and multi-generational college town, suburb, and rapidly-growing city, all at the same time. We converse on the beauties and challenges of density, tourism, and different forms of transportation in one of the United States’ most underrated cities. Notably, we touch on Prop 478, which is on the table (in March 2024) to positively amend the Tempe General Plan 2050 to empower needed real estate development and more multimodal transportation (bikes, light rail, streetcar, etc.). We discuss: 00:00 How one becomes a mayor. 04:25 Why Tempe, Arizona? 07:42 Working alongside a university and college campus to plan a walkable city or town. 09:24 Growth and longevity of a city, and understanding differing viewpoints on change. 12:36 On Prop 478 and the Tempe General Plan 2050. 21:47 Urbanism and walkability in Tempe. 27:11 Planning for the seasonality of a college town. 30:48 Regional collaboration for transportation and development in Phoenix. 33:57 Balancing tourism and resident needs. 36:00 Mayor Woods loves kombucha. 36:43 Tourism’s role in economic development. 40:13 A mayor's day-to-day. 45:30 Widening the urban planning and urban design community. 53:49 Wrapping up. For context: On Prop 478, and the Tempe General Plan 2050. Mayor Woods’ re-election campaign. Connecting with Mayor Corey Woods: On Instagram. On X. Connecting with me, Brad: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠