Commentary

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

Mamdani’s Affordability Dilemma: The Challenge of Making New York City Housing Less Expensive

Housing

Mamdani’s Affordability Dilemma: The Challenge of Making New York City Housing Less Expensive

Vicki Been, Ingrid Gould Ellen Jan. 07 2026

Revealing Hidden Signals in City Hotline Data

Crime

Revealing Hidden Signals in City Hotline Data

Vital City Jan. 07 2026

Mamdani, Like Mayors Before Him, Can Have a Foreign Policy

Politics

Mamdani, Like Mayors Before Him, Can Have a Foreign Policy

Chris McNickle Jan. 06 2026

Congestion Pricing, One Year In: A Qualified Success

City Planning

Congestion Pricing, One Year In: A Qualified Success

Charles Komanoff Jan. 02 2026

After Hours with Jamie Rubin: Remembering a Talented, Troubled Knick

Podcast

After Hours with Jamie Rubin: Remembering a Talented, Troubled Knick

Jamie Rubin Dec. 30 2025

2025: A Look Back

Crime

2025: A Look Back

Vital City Dec. 29 2025

From Crisis Response to System Coordination

Public Health

From Crisis Response to System Coordination

Molly Wasow Park, Jody Rudin Dec. 18 2025

Just Fix It: 11 Governance Improvements The Mamdani Administration Can Tackle in the First 100 Days

City Government

Just Fix It: 11 Governance Improvements The Mamdani Administration Can Tackle in the First 100 Days

Vital City Dec. 18 2025

What is the Future of ‘Renewable Rikers’ Island?

City Government

What is the Future of ‘Renewable Rikers’ Island?

Eric A. Goldstein Dec. 17 2025

The Other Side of Affordability

Economics

The Other Side of Affordability

Eli Dvorkin, Jonathan Bowles Dec. 17 2025

What To Do (and Not To Do) About People in Crisis on Streets and Subways

Mental Health

What To Do (and Not To Do) About People in Crisis on Streets and Subways

Vital City Dec. 17 2025

What To Do (and Not To Do) About Subway Safety

Subway Safety

What To Do (and Not To Do) About Subway Safety

Vital City Dec. 17 2025