As the gears of federal government have ground to a halt, a new energy has been rocking the foundations of our urban centers. From Atlanta to Seattle and points in between, cities have begun seizing the initiative, transforming themselves into laboratories for progressive innovation. Income inequality, affordable housing, climate change, sustainable development, public health, participatory government—cities are tackling them all, bringing new urgency to some of the most vital questions of the day. Welcome to the age of big city progressivism! Cities Rising is The Nation’s contribution to the conversation.
In the Age of Disaster Capitalism, Is ‘Survival Socialism’ the Solution? In the Age of Disaster Capitalism, Is ‘Survival Socialism’ the Solution?
A look at the British Labour Party’s plan to transform the economy from the ground up.
Jul 19, 2018 / Feature / Laura Flanders
How a Public Bank Could Help You How a Public Bank Could Help You
A campaign is underway in New York to take money out of Wall Street and put it into the hands of the city.
Jul 5, 2018 / Michelle Chen
Cities Are Saying ‘No’ to ICE by Canceling Their Contracts With the Agency Cities Are Saying ‘No’ to ICE by Canceling Their Contracts With the Agency
Dispatches from the Urban Resistance, June 2018: From Austin to Toledo and beyond.
Jul 2, 2018 / Sophie Kasakove
Activists in Austin Have a Novel Plan to Tackle its Affordable-Housing Crisis Activists in Austin Have a Novel Plan to Tackle its Affordable-Housing Crisis
Hint: It involves the passage of the largest affordable-housing bond in the city’s history, plus calls for cooperatives and community land trusts.
Jun 8, 2018 / Jimmy Tobias
Why It Matters That Phoenix Is Suing the Trump Administration Why It Matters That Phoenix Is Suing the Trump Administration
Dispatches from the Urban Resistance, May 2018: From Phoenix to Detroit and beyond.
May 31, 2018 / Sophie Kasakove
What if School Lunch Programs Promoted Public Health, Good Jobs, and the Environment? What if School Lunch Programs Promoted Public Health, Good Jobs, and the Environment?
From LA to Cook County, local governments are using their purchasing power to transform the food system.
May 25, 2018 / Anna Lappé and Jose Oliva
Meet the Rising New Housing Movement That Wants to Create Homes for All Meet the Rising New Housing Movement That Wants to Create Homes for All
From rent regulation to social housing, activists are pushing for serious solutions to the affordable-housing crisis.
May 24, 2018 / Feature / Jimmy Tobias
Sanctuary Cities Are Fighting the Trump Administration—and Winning Sanctuary Cities Are Fighting the Trump Administration—and Winning
Dispatches from the urban resistance, from Chicago to Minneapolis and beyond.
Apr 30, 2018 / Sophie Kasakove
New York Could Open the First Safe Injection Site in the US New York Could Open the First Safe Injection Site in the US
As the death toll from the opioid crisis rises, the city is exploring a humane alternative.
Apr 24, 2018 / Michelle Chen
How a Small City Is Taking on the Big Power of Dark Money How a Small City Is Taking on the Big Power of Dark Money
Dispatches from the Urban Resistance, from Tempe to Nashville and beyond.
Mar 30, 2018 / Jimmy Tobias