Commentary

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

Urban Design as Social Infrastructure

City Planning

Urban Design as Social Infrastructure

Julia D. Day Jan. 28 2026

How Off the Rails Is ICE? A Q&A With Former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson

Immigration

How Off the Rails Is ICE? A Q&A With Former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson

Vital City Jan. 27 2026

What ICE’s Recklessness Teaches Us About Real Policing

Immigration

What ICE’s Recklessness Teaches Us About Real Policing

Brandon del Pozo Jan. 27 2026

Trump’s Unconstitutional Coercion

Immigration

Trump’s Unconstitutional Coercion

Erwin Chemerinsky Jan. 22 2026

How Criminals Get Their Guns

Gun Violence

How Criminals Get Their Guns

Anthony A. Braga Jan. 21 2026

A Crucial Tool in the Fight Against Pollution

Climate Change

A Crucial Tool in the Fight Against Pollution

Pete Sikora Jan. 21 2026

Supporting Children Who Experience Violence at Home

Child Welfare

Supporting Children Who Experience Violence at Home

Liberty Aldrich Jan. 16 2026

Small Children, Big Looming Policy Questions

Education

Small Children, Big Looming Policy Questions

Elliot Haspel Jan. 14 2026

Mamdani as Mr. Fix-It

Podcast

Mamdani as Mr. Fix-It

Jamie Rubin Jan. 14 2026

Mayor Mamdani, Here’s the Real Reason New Yorkers’ Groceries Cost So Much

City Government

Mayor Mamdani, Here’s the Real Reason New Yorkers’ Groceries Cost So Much

Stephen Smith Jan. 14 2026

Mamdani’s Affordability Dilemma: The Challenge of Making New York City Housing Less Expensive

Housing

Mamdani’s Affordability Dilemma: The Challenge of Making New York City Housing Less Expensive

Vicki Been, Ingrid Gould Ellen Jan. 07 2026

Revealing Hidden Signals in City Hotline Data

Crime

Revealing Hidden Signals in City Hotline Data

Lisa Chamberlain Jan. 07 2026