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.
A Crop of Reform-Minded Mayors Is Trying to Fix Policing and Fight Mass Incarceration A Crop of Reform-Minded Mayors Is Trying to Fix Policing and Fight Mass Incarceration
In their choice of a police chief and through other local initiatives, mayors can make major strides in improving the way their constituents interact with police and the criminal j...
Mar 12, 2018 / Collier Meyerson
What Happens After the Progressive Revolution Comes to a City Like Durham? What Happens After the Progressive Revolution Comes to a City Like Durham?
On the challenges of governing a bright-blue city in the middle of a hot-red state.
Mar 12, 2018 / Barry Yeoman
Progressive Change Is Rocking One of the Most Unlikely Places in Philadelphia—the DA’s Office Progressive Change Is Rocking One of the Most Unlikely Places in Philadelphia—the DA’s Office
Dispatches from the Urban Resistance, from Philly to Kansas City and beyond.
Feb 28, 2018 / Jimmy Tobias
These Cities Aren’t Waiting for the Supreme Court to Decide Whether or Not to Gut Unions These Cities Aren’t Waiting for the Supreme Court to Decide Whether or Not to Gut Unions
They’re finding ways to support organizing now.
Feb 26, 2018 / Brad Lander and Helen Gym
Austin Just Brought Paid Sick Leave to the South Austin Just Brought Paid Sick Leave to the South
Thanks to a savvy, progressive coalition, Austinites will no longer have to work through heart attacks, flus, and stomach bugs.
Feb 16, 2018 / Jimmy Tobias
A New Housing-Rights Movement Has the Real-Estate Industry Running Scared A New Housing-Rights Movement Has the Real-Estate Industry Running Scared
In cities across the country, tenants are demanding robust regulations to keep rents affordable and stop unjust evictions.
Feb 9, 2018 / Jimmy Tobias
The Federal Government Is Unraveling—but the State of Our Cities Is Strong The Federal Government Is Unraveling—but the State of Our Cities Is Strong
Dispatches from the urban resistance, from Philadelphia to Seattle and beyond
Jan 31, 2018 / Jimmy Tobias
3 Strategies to Get to a Fossil-Free America 3 Strategies to Get to a Fossil-Free America
None of them rely on Washington to do anything useful.
Jan 25, 2018 / Feature / Bill McKibben
From Seattle to St. Petersburg: Highlights of the Urban Resistance, Year 1 From Seattle to St. Petersburg: Highlights of the Urban Resistance, Year 1
During the darkness of Trump’s first year, cities helped lead the fight for immigrants’ rights, racial justice, and fundamental equality.
Jan 16, 2018 / Jimmy Tobias
New York City vs. Big Oil New York City vs. Big Oil
Flanked by Nation contributors Naomi Klein and Bill McKibben, Bill de Blasio announced that New York City would divest from and sue fossil-fuel companies.
Jan 10, 2018 / Mark Hertsgaard