Commentary

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

Subway Safety: What the Data Show

Subway Safety

Subway Safety: What the Data Show

Aaron Chalfin, John Hall, Paul Reeping Dec. 16 2025

Case Studies from Other Large Cities

Homelessness

Case Studies from Other Large Cities

Vital City Dec. 16 2025

What Mamdani Can Learn from a de Blasio Administration Safety Innovation

Safety

What Mamdani Can Learn from a de Blasio Administration Safety Innovation

Renita Francois, Abdul Nasser Rad Dec. 10 2025

Reality Check: Has Youth Crime in New York Risen After Raise the Age?

Reality Check

Reality Check: Has Youth Crime in New York Risen After Raise the Age?

Vital City Dec. 09 2025

A New Manhattan Project

Technology

A New Manhattan Project

Vishaan Chakrabarti Dec. 09 2025

How Mamdani Can Deliver Free Buses — and Subways, Too

Transit

How Mamdani Can Deliver Free Buses — and Subways, Too

Howard Yaruss Dec. 09 2025

The Rikers Receivership Risk — and Opportunity

Jails

The Rikers Receivership Risk — and Opportunity

Vincent Schiraldi Dec. 09 2025

New York City Needs a Smarter Way to Control Rents

Housing

New York City Needs a Smarter Way to Control Rents

Eddie Palka Dec. 05 2025

Daylight Savings: A Safer, Cheaper and Quicker Way to Design Intersections

Streets

Daylight Savings: A Safer, Cheaper and Quicker Way to Design Intersections

Vital City Dec. 05 2025

Taking Mamdani’s Revolution to the Streets

Streets

Taking Mamdani’s Revolution to the Streets

Benjamin Schneider Dec. 04 2025

The Urban Optimist’s Holiday Gift Guide

culture

The Urban Optimist’s Holiday Gift Guide

Vital City Dec. 02 2025

Rolling the Dice? How New York City Came to Approve Three Vegas-Style Casinos

Infrastructure

Rolling the Dice? How New York City Came to Approve Three Vegas-Style Casinos

Aaron Short Nov. 25 2025