Commentary

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

Zohran Mamdani’s Real-World Constraints

Mugged by Reality

Zohran Mamdani’s Real-World Constraints

Carl Weisbrod Oct. 17 2025

John Lindsay, Zohran Mamdani and How Ambitions Collide with Reality

Mugged by Reality

John Lindsay, Zohran Mamdani and How Ambitions Collide with Reality

Vincent Cannato Oct. 17 2025

Even Mamdani’s New York Needs Millionaires

Mugged by Reality

Even Mamdani’s New York Needs Millionaires

Ana Champeny Oct. 17 2025

Bill de Blasio, Role Model?

Mugged by Reality

Bill de Blasio, Role Model?

Wendell Jamieson Oct. 17 2025

Living in the City, Floating on the Hudson: A Conversation with Leslie Day

interview

Living in the City, Floating on the Hudson: A Conversation with Leslie Day

Vital City Oct. 16 2025

Curtis Sliwa Talks Public Safety

interview

Curtis Sliwa Talks Public Safety

Vital City Oct. 10 2025

Designing Cities to Go the Distance

History

Designing Cities to Go the Distance

Carol Goodstein Oct. 08 2025

Percy Sutton, Eric Adams and the State of Black Political Power in New York

Race

Percy Sutton, Eric Adams and the State of Black Political Power in New York

Basil Smikle Jr. Oct. 03 2025

How NYCHA Can Serve More New Yorkers — Without Any New Buildings

Housing

How NYCHA Can Serve More New Yorkers — Without Any New Buildings

Howard Husock Oct. 03 2025

Is Eric Adams Our Last Tabloid Mayor?

Politics

Is Eric Adams Our Last Tabloid Mayor?

Jere Hester Oct. 01 2025

A City of Winners and Losers: New York in the 1980s

interview

A City of Winners and Losers: New York in the 1980s

Vital City Sep. 25 2025

Crime Victims Can Help Point the Way Forward

Crime

Crime Victims Can Help Point the Way Forward

Jeremy Travis, Susan Herman, Preeti Chauhan Sep. 25 2025