Hillary Brown, Professor Emerita of Architecture at the City College of New York, joins Unfrozen to discuss her book Revitalize | Resettle, which explores how climate migration and rural revitalization can solve interlinked crises. Brown emphasizes that large U.S. cities alone cannot absorb climate-displaced populations due to infrastructural limits and rising costs. Instead, she proposes strategic resettlement in small towns and “micropolitan areas”—places often overlooked but rich in cultural value and potential.

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Intro/Outro:

“24-Hour Limes” by The Cooper Vane

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Discussed:

Hero towns leading the charge to accept climate migrants and flourish:

• Clinton, IA: Brownfield redevelopment and corridor revitalization
• Gorham and Milan, NH: Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program
• Madison, IN: Main Street Program
• Morris, NY: Livingston County Development Group
• Norfolk, NE: North Fork Whitewater Park
• Ord, NE: Vibrant Future Fund
• Rock Port, MO: Wind Capital Group – First town in U.S. to be 100% wind-powered
• West Windsor, VT: Ascutney revitalization

Jesse Keenan – Climate-Proof Duluth

New York State Small-Town Revitalization

T-Mobile hometown grants

Parag Khanna, ecstatic nomad