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.

Intro/Outro:

“24-Hour Limes” by The Cooper Vane

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