How U.S. Cities Lost the Economic Development Plot
04.28.2026
Can Mayor Mamdani forge a new path forward for New York City and the nation?
Can Mayor Mamdani forge a new path forward for New York City and the nation?
urban design
Why Should We Care About Good Urbanism?
04.21.2026
New research shows that architectural aesthetics are crucial when it comes to support for new housing.
New research shows that architectural aesthetics are crucial when it comes to support for new housing.
Losing Friends to the American Dream: Homeownership
04.20.2026
There are real social and societal costs when people believe that a standalone house is the ultimate goal.
There are real social and societal costs when people believe that a standalone house is the ultimate goal.
With Federal Dollars, Sunnyside Yards Might Just Happen This Time
04.08.2026
Using mass timber would reduce the project’s carbon footprint and keep structural costs down.
Using mass timber would reduce the project’s carbon footprint and keep structural costs down.
Rebooting Downtown, America’s Most Underperforming Neighborhood
03.30.2026
What if the central business district in your city became the best neighborhood? Here’s a roadmap.
What if the central business district in your city became the best neighborhood? Here’s a roadmap.
Urban Lessons From the Paris Perimeter
03.24.2026
The conformity of Haussmann’s blocks gains meaning from the often intimate bricolage of Paris’ other textures.
The conformity of Haussmann’s blocks gains meaning from the often intimate bricolage of Paris’ other textures.
Layers of the Past: What Stories Our Buildings Tell Us
03.16.2026
Perpetually demolishing and constructing anew erases the rich stories our buildings contain.
Perpetually demolishing and constructing anew erases the rich stories our buildings contain.
We Don’t Have a Climate Design Problem: We Have a Trust Problem
03.10.2026
Resilience isn’t only about carbon reduction or physical engineering; it’s about whether residents believe the systems around them are coherent and fair.
Resilience isn’t only about carbon reduction or physical engineering; it’s about whether residents believe the systems around them are coherent and fair.
Colin Rowe and the Impact of Great Teaching
02.23.2026
Part 2 of our consideration of the influential architect, planner, and educator.
Part 2 of our consideration of the influential architect, planner, and educator.
The Urban Design Legacy of Colin Rowe
02.10.2026
A recent book on the architect, planner, and educator sheds new light on his seminal career.
A recent book on the architect, planner, and educator sheds new light on his seminal career.
It’s 2026: Time for a Comprehensive Plan for New York City
01.05.2026
Mayor Mamdani has the opportunity to finally provide a planning vision that supports residents and social value instead of the real estate industry.
Mayor Mamdani has the opportunity to finally provide a planning vision that supports residents and social value instead of the real estate industry.
The Overlooked Charms and Underappreciated Glories of “Flyover Country”
12.23.2025
Wonderful things can be found in the towns and cities between the coasts—but only if you’re willing to keep your eyes and mind open.
Wonderful things can be found in the towns and cities between the coasts—but only if you’re willing to keep your eyes and mind open.
What Japan Gets Right (A Partial List)
12.09.2025
A few things that demonstrate the gulf between the island nation’s philosophy of how cities should work and America’s.
A few things that demonstrate the gulf between the island nation’s philosophy of how cities should work and America’s.
No More Atlantic Yards!
12.02.2025
Can Mayor Mamdani embrace “social value” in New York City real estate?
Can Mayor Mamdani embrace “social value” in New York City real estate?
Con Permiso: Learning to Navigate Public Space in Mexico City
12.01.2025
Social graciousness when paths cross is fundamental to this city.
Social graciousness when paths cross is fundamental to this city.
Raving Amid the Ruins
11.24.2025
Using the underground dance party milieu as a tool for dreaming up and building a new urban future.
Using the underground dance party milieu as a tool for dreaming up and building a new urban future.
Los Angeles and the Density Paradox
11.12.2025
The city is already overloaded with cars, yet it lacks the density needed for transit to work effectively. Moving beyond this stalemate is essential.
The city is already overloaded with cars, yet it lacks the density needed for transit to work effectively. Moving beyond this stalemate is essential.
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.
Letter From Malibu: Chaos, Civic Dysfunction, and Looming Corruption
10.15.2025
City Hall controversies expose municipal rot, even as residents grow weary waiting to rebuild after the fire.
City Hall controversies expose municipal rot, even as residents grow weary waiting to rebuild after the fire.
Our Housing Crisis Is a Monumental Failure of Design
10.14.2025
Here’s a comprehensive blueprint for creating a new path forward.
Here’s a comprehensive blueprint for creating a new path forward.
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