Commentary

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

A person stands next to a window in their apartment taking a phone call; outside the window can be seen water tanks on rooftops

Infrastructure

New York’s Wooden Water Tanks: A Perfect Fusion of Form and Function

Thomas Mellins May. 12 2026

Vincent R. Impellitteri, Robert Moses, William O'Dwyer, John Cashmore and Lazarus Joseph talk in a group huddle during the Board of Estimate Hearing

History

The Voting Rights Act in New York City

Tim Tompkins May. 07 2026

An overhead shot of two rows of Waymo robotaxis sitting parked in a lot

Transit

A Different Waymo Future Is Possible

Bryant Walker Smith, Matt Wansley May. 07 2026

A man standing in front of a construction site holds his index finger to his chin and looks upward

Just Fix It

Just Fix It: 8 Policy Tweaks City Hall Can Make to Speed Up the Permitting Process

Vital City May. 07 2026

Members of the United Federation of Teachers hold signs at a rally

Labor

The Unions and the Cities

Nicholas Bagley May. 04 2026

Does When We’re Born Make Us Who We Are?

Does When We’re Born Make Us Who We Are?

Vital City Apr. 30 2026

Children look at the murals in the Las Cabanas museum in Guadalajar

Borrow and Steal

How Guadalajara Killed the Paper Permit

Cara Eckholm Apr. 29 2026

A person raides their hand above a computer in a room full of computers where blue wires hang down from the ceiling

Technology

Government AI, the Road to More Bureaucratic Discretion and Accountability

Stephen Goldsmith Apr. 29 2026

A man walks by a bus stop displaying a Chanel ad with caution tape wrapped across it

Crime

Local Politics, After Murder

David Schleicher Apr. 29 2026

An elementary school boy stands behind a door at his school with his back to the camera; half of his body is obscured by the door, half is visible

Education

How the Public Can Help Mamdani Guide New York City Schools

David Bloomfield Apr. 24 2026

Children climb on the scaffolding outside of their school building

Education

Want More Parental Input While Keeping Mayoral Control? Look to Community Schools

Christopher Caruso Apr. 24 2026

A man leans against

Podcast

The Cost of Freezing the Rent

Jamie Rubin Apr. 22 2026