Urban Planning and Development

China social credit

Discipline and Punish: The Birth of China’s Social-Credit System Discipline and Punish: The Birth of China’s Social-Credit System

In Hangzhou and throughout Shandong province, gold stars and black marks have begun to shape public and private behavior.

Jan 23, 2019 / René Raphael and Ling Xi

sunrise-movement-green-new-deal

Why the Time Has Come for a Green New Deal Why the Time Has Come for a Green New Deal

It’s smart politics and smart policy—and it’s enormously popular with the public.

Dec 18, 2018 / Katrina vanden Heuvel

Trump Tower

New York Has a Plan to Tackle Some of Its Worst Carbon Polluters New York Has a Plan to Tackle Some of Its Worst Carbon Polluters

Hint: We’re looking at you, Trump Tower.

Dec 13, 2018 / Sophie Kasakove

Kenya Mobile Cash Industry

Kenya’s Growth Doesn’t Help All Kenyans Kenya’s Growth Doesn’t Help All Kenyans

Despite government aims to make the country Africa’s “digital hub,” the economy remains unequal and unproductive.

Dec 4, 2018 / Sabine Cessou

adem-bunkeddeko-brooklyn

All of a Sudden, Politicians Are Ready to Tackle America’s Housing Crisis All of a Sudden, Politicians Are Ready to Tackle America’s Housing Crisis

Upstart candidates and 2020 presidential hopefuls alike are putting the perennially ignored issue at the top of the agenda.

Nov 20, 2018 / Bryce Covert

amazon-protest-nyc

The Scam at the Heart of New York’s Amazon Deal The Scam at the Heart of New York’s Amazon Deal

New York is struggling with competing housing, education, and transit crises. So why is it giving billions to a voracious mega-monopoly?

Nov 19, 2018 / Jarrett Murphy

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam Is Fighting for Its Soul. Can a Progressive New Government Save It? Amsterdam Is Fighting for Its Soul. Can a Progressive New Government Save It?

The new city government has big ambitions—but the challenges could prove even bigger.

Oct 2, 2018 / Sebastiaan Faber

Lisbon tourists

‘Overtourism’ Is Driving Europeans Crazy ‘Overtourism’ Is Driving Europeans Crazy

Is anti-tourist sentiment code for classism, racism, and xenophobia, or a legitimate concern over a city's capacity to accommodate visitors?

Sep 12, 2018 / Jessica Loudis

A Time Warner Cable service technician works on cable service from a van parked on the Upper West side of the Manhattan borough of New York City

New York City Has ‘a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity’ to Create an Internet for All New York City Has ‘a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity’ to Create an Internet for All

“Dead skunks on the highway” are more popular than cable companies, so why not replace them with something better?

Aug 20, 2018 / Teke Wiggin

Obama Center Protests

The Obama Center Leaves Chicago Communities in Its Shadow The Obama Center Leaves Chicago Communities in Its Shadow

The Obama Foundation is back selling hope and change to big-name donors, but this time, Chicago’s South Side residents aren’t all buying it.

Jul 10, 2018 / LeAlan M. Jones

x