Commentary

Original essays, new research and data analysis on many of the biggest questions facing cities

New York’s Primary and the Power of Better Elections

State Government

New York’s Primary and the Power of Better Elections

Grace Rauh Jul. 02 2025

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Fees and Fines?

Justice

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Fees and Fines?

Leah Nelson, Sarah Picard, Peter Jones Jul. 01 2025

Fifty Years of Injustice at Rikers

Jails

Fifty Years of Injustice at Rikers

Michael B. Mushlin Jul. 01 2025

Mamdani: Candidate Today, Leader Tomorrow

Government Operations

Mamdani: Candidate Today, Leader Tomorrow

David R. Eichenthal Jul. 01 2025

Our Advice to The New York Times About a Vexing Editorial Decision

Politics

Our Advice to The New York Times About a Vexing Editorial Decision

Vital City Jun. 20 2025

The Art of Urban Governance

City Government

The Art of Urban Governance

Jamie Rubin Jun. 18 2025

The Most Interesting Thing on the Ballot this Fall

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

The Most Interesting Thing on the Ballot this Fall

David Schleicher Jun. 17 2025

New York is Not Broken

The State of the City

New York is Not Broken

Greg Berman Jun. 16 2025

Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo Aren’t as Different as You Might Think

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo Aren’t as Different as You Might Think

Josh Greenman Jun. 16 2025

Everyone Got Cities Wrong

The State of Gotham

Everyone Got Cities Wrong

Richard Florida Jun. 16 2025

New York’s Five Political Types

The State of Gotham

New York’s Five Political Types

John Della Volpe Jun. 16 2025

Safer Cities, In Context

The State of Gotham

Safer Cities, In Context

Paul Reeping Jun. 16 2025