Commentary

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

Two people stand on the platform of the above-ground 20 Avenue subway station looking at a high-rise apartment being constructed in the distance

Housing

Appreciate Mamdani’s Housing Achievement

Tahra Hoops Aug. 12 2026

A graphite illustration of the top of the archway at the door of 50 W 4th St, an NYU building near the entrance of Washington Square Park

Architecture

New York Needs New Ornamental Architecture

Megan Gafford Aug. 12 2026

Two pedestrians peer into the window of a driverless Waymo Robotaxi stopped at a light

Transit

How To Make Driverless Ride-Hail Work in New York

Andrew Miller Aug. 12 2026

The shadow of a building and a figure walking by it is reflected in a puddle on the ground

Budget

Come Again Another Day?

Carol Kellermann Aug. 06 2026

A waitress at a restaurant reaches for a dish for a group of customers sitting to the left of frame from a rolling cart; another waiter rolls a cart forward in the right of frame behind her

Podcast

Complexity on the Menu: The State of New York City's Restaurant Industry

Jamie Rubin Aug. 06 2026

A young girl holding a caramel apple stands amidst a display of umbrellas featuring famous artworks and colorful patterns

Education

Mamdani Is Hitting Many Milestones on Childcare. Except One.

Rebecca Gale Aug. 06 2026

Three people stand in front of the Astor Place cube wearing metallic cubes on top of their heads

City Government

Bureaucracy Is Just People

Michael Sedillo Aug. 05 2026

A halloween display on the side of a New York City apartment depicts Spider-Man scaling a web on the front of the building, with King Kong peeking out from the roof

Film & TV

How to Survive in New York City, According to Spider-Man

Greg Berman Aug. 05 2026

The Queensborough Bridge is seen on a rainy day from behind a large apartment window; inside, on the window sill is a plant with long, thin leaves

Budget

A Smarter Way To Roll Out the Pied-à-Terre Surcharge

Martha Stark Jul. 31 2026

A white bird flies in front of an apartment building in the process of being constructed; skyscrapers can be seen in the background

Housing

The Big Hole in Mamdani’s Housing Plan

Paul Francis Jul. 30 2026

Three water barriers holding up chain link construction panels with the shape of a heart cut out of the privacy screening

Housing

The Road to Producing More Housing Passes Through Meaningful Local Zoning Reforms

Sara C. Bronin Jul. 30 2026

A woman sits on her fire escape next to two giant stuffed dogs, one orange and one hot pink

Housing

When Rent Regulation Makes Sense

Frank Braconi Jul. 29 2026