Commentary

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

Too Cold for New York City’s Streets

Homelessness

Too Cold for New York City’s Streets

Vital City Feb. 05 2026

Hochul’s Going Nuclear. Environmentalists Should Cheer Her On.

Environment

Hochul’s Going Nuclear. Environmentalists Should Cheer Her On.

Charles Komanoff Feb. 04 2026

Where Juvenile Justice Goes From Here

Justice

Where Juvenile Justice Goes From Here

Vincent Schiraldi Feb. 04 2026

Evaluating Mamdani’s Diagnosis of New York City’s Budget Deficit

Budget

Evaluating Mamdani’s Diagnosis of New York City’s Budget Deficit

Paul Francis Feb. 03 2026

Continue Encampment Sweeps — But Do Them Right

Homelessness

Continue Encampment Sweeps — But Do Them Right

Jody Rudin Feb. 03 2026

Technology Transformation Will Make or Break Progressive Governance

Technology

Technology Transformation Will Make or Break Progressive Governance

Paul Salama Jan. 29 2026

Reducing Crime by Improving Neighborhoods

Podcast

Reducing Crime by Improving Neighborhoods

Jamie Rubin Jan. 28 2026

Observation Decks for All New Yorkers

Neighborhood Life

Observation Decks for All New Yorkers

Moses Gates Jan. 28 2026

Tokyo and London are Test-Driving Waymo. New York, Take Notes.

Streets

Tokyo and London are Test-Driving Waymo. New York, Take Notes.

Sarah M. Kaufman Jan. 28 2026

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