Why Disband the Urban Design Group Just as New York City Ramps Up Housing Development?
02.02.2026
As the saying goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
As the saying goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
New York City
Looking for Signs: Zohran, Good Risks, and Sewer Socialism
11.17.2025
Mamdani’s message: We don’t have to choose between moral clarity and municipal competence.
Mamdani’s message: We don’t have to choose between moral clarity and municipal competence.
Transit Stops Can Be Vital Places in New York City’s Social Life
11.10.2025
As NYC prepares for Mayor Mamdani’s free buses, officials have a chance to rethink some of the city’s most common public spaces.
As NYC prepares for Mayor Mamdani’s free buses, officials have a chance to rethink some of the city’s most common public spaces.
In Praise of Urban Density
10.27.2025
A large population is a quality-of-life benefit, not a dystopian threat.
A large population is a quality-of-life benefit, not a dystopian threat.
Eric Adams’ War on New York City Street Vendors
08.11.2025
A longstanding element of the city’s retail is shut out again as the mayor rejects a key reform.
A longstanding element of the city’s retail is shut out again as the mayor rejects a key reform.
Dateline January 2026: Mayor Mamdani Unveils His Affordable Housing Plan!
07.21.2025
The new mayor creates the Affordable Housing Authority, bringing the power of government to bear on a problem that the private sector has failed to solve.
The new mayor creates the Affordable Housing Authority, bringing the power of government to bear on a problem that the private sector has failed to solve.
New York City Is Losing Affordable Housing at an Alarming Rate
02.20.2025
The problem is that City of Yes was an open call to build with no requirements that lost affordable units be replaced.
The problem is that City of Yes was an open call to build with no requirements that lost affordable units be replaced.
Why Is NYC’s Mandatory Composting Program So Invisible?
12.23.2024
The city is rolling out an ambitious effort to divert organic waste from landfills. Is it set up for success?
The city is rolling out an ambitious effort to divert organic waste from landfills. Is it set up for success?
The ‘City of Yes’ Will Make a Big Manhattan Mess
11.01.2024
City council is expected to vote on the controversial proposal soon.
City council is expected to vote on the controversial proposal soon.
NYC’s ‘City of Yes’ Proposal Is a Free Pass for Big Real Estate
09.10.2024
It won’t create affordable housing, but instead lead to continued gentrification and displacement.
It won’t create affordable housing, but instead lead to continued gentrification and displacement.
Jane Jacobs Would Reject NYC’s Proposed “City of Yes”
07.22.2024
YIMBYS get a lot wrong about the legendary citizen planner.
YIMBYS get a lot wrong about the legendary citizen planner.
Developers Are Dangerously in Control of New York City
04.23.2024
Urbanist Roberta Brandes Gratz’s remarks on receiving the Preservation Leadership Award.
Urbanist Roberta Brandes Gratz’s remarks on receiving the Preservation Leadership Award.
Kelp Farming May Help Clean New York’s Polluted Waterways and Fight Climate Change
03.27.2023
The seaweed found in Newtown Creek, Gowanus Bay, and the East River could suck up carbon and pollutants, bolstering marine ecosystems.
The seaweed found in Newtown Creek, Gowanus Bay, and the East River could suck up carbon and pollutants, bolstering marine ecosystems.
Should New York City Streets Be Illegal?
03.07.2023
The city is falling woefully short of its Vision Zero goals.
The city is falling woefully short of its Vision Zero goals.
In His Plans for New York, Vornado’s Steven Roth Is Channeling Robert Moses
09.12.2022
Declaring the area around Penn Station “blighted” is a cynical ploy.
Declaring the area around Penn Station “blighted” is a cynical ploy.
15 Years Later and What Do You Get? A Lot More Cars and a Planet in Flames
08.23.2022
The (renewed) case for congestion pricing in New York City.
The (renewed) case for congestion pricing in New York City.
A Car-Free Brooklyn Bridge Is Possible
05.31.2022
And it would easily be more popular than the High Line.
And it would easily be more popular than the High Line.
New York City Is Failing Its Citizens on the Environment
05.10.2022
Some proposals to turn the city around for a more sustainable future.
Some proposals to turn the city around for a more sustainable future.
Bodega Storefronts and the Iconography of the Post-Pandemic City
04.25.2022
The signs point to our collective desire to move on, even officially.
The signs point to our collective desire to move on, even officially.
Situationist Funhouse: Art’s Complicated Role in Redeveloping Cities
04.19.2022
A talk with author Stephen Zacks about his new book on the artist G.H. Havagimyan.
A talk with author Stephen Zacks about his new book on the artist G.H. Havagimyan.
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