Commentary

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

The Urban Optimist's Holiday Gift Guide

Culture

The Urban Optimist's Holiday Gift Guide

Vital City Dec. 02 2025

Rolling the Dice? How New York City Came to Approve Three Vegas-Style Casinos

Infrastructure

Rolling the Dice? How New York City Came to Approve Three Vegas-Style Casinos

Aaron Short Nov. 25 2025

What Mamdani Gets Wrong About Severe Mental Illness & Crisis Response

Mental Health

What Mamdani Gets Wrong About Severe Mental Illness & Crisis Response

Brian Stettin Nov. 24 2025

New Mexico: Surprising Proving Ground for Two Big Mamdani Ideas?

Government Operations

New Mexico: Surprising Proving Ground for Two Big Mamdani Ideas?

Ted Alcorn Nov. 24 2025

A Department of Community Safety: Theory Meets Practice

Community Services

A Department of Community Safety: Theory Meets Practice

Vital City Nov. 20 2025

A Pipeline to Somewhere

Policy

A Pipeline to Somewhere

Charles Komanoff Nov. 19 2025

Filling in the Blanks on Mamdani’s Education Agenda

Education

Filling in the Blanks on Mamdani’s Education Agenda

Pedro Noguera Nov. 19 2025

Trump vs. Civil Society

Nonprofits

Trump vs. Civil Society

Greg Berman Nov. 18 2025

Tax Revenue is Destiny

Economics

Tax Revenue is Destiny

Paul Francis Nov. 13 2025

New York’s Civil Service System vs. Public Sector Progress

City Government

New York’s Civil Service System vs. Public Sector Progress

Robert Gordon, Gabe Paley Nov. 11 2025

Mamdani’s Victory, and Memories of Dinkins’

The State of the City

Mamdani’s Victory, and Memories of Dinkins’

Basil Smikle Jr. Nov. 07 2025

How Modern Mayors Meet the Moment

The State of the City

How Modern Mayors Meet the Moment

Sam Roberts Nov. 07 2025