As the gears of federal government have ground to a halt, a new energy has been rocking the foundations of our urban centers. From Atlanta to Seattle and points in between, cities have begun seizing the initiative, transforming themselves into laboratories for progressive innovation. Income inequality, affordable housing, climate change, sustainable development, public health, participatory government—cities are tackling them all, bringing new urgency to some of the most vital questions of the day. Welcome to the age of big city progressivism! Cities Rising is The Nation’s contribution to the conversation.
These Southern Cities Are at the Heart of the Struggle Against White Supremacy These Southern Cities Are at the Heart of the Struggle Against White Supremacy
Dispatches from the urban resistance, from Durham to Birmingham.
Aug 31, 2017 / Jimmy Tobias
New York’s Subway System Could Be a Force for Equity and Sustainability New York’s Subway System Could Be a Force for Equity and Sustainability
So why have elected officials let it molder and fall apart?
Aug 30, 2017 / Jarrett Murphy
The Solution to Our Housing Crisis Is to Let Communities Own Property The Solution to Our Housing Crisis Is to Let Communities Own Property
Community Land Trusts keep the focus of development on the actual needs of a neighborhood.
Aug 29, 2017 / Michelle Chen
These Cities Are About to Make It Harder for Landlords to Evict People These Cities Are About to Make It Harder for Landlords to Evict People
Their plan? Provide access to lawyers for as many low-income renters as possible.
Aug 28, 2017 / Jimmy Tobias
Can these Cities Block Texas’s Vile Anti-Immigrant Agenda? Can these Cities Block Texas’s Vile Anti-Immigrant Agenda?
A massive urban resistance is working to stop SB 4 from taking effect in the Lone Star State.
Aug 17, 2017 / Jimmy Tobias
This Police-Reform Activist Wants to Be Mayor of New York This Police-Reform Activist Wants to Be Mayor of New York
Robert Gangi is running a long-shot challenge to Mayor Bill de Blasio—from the left.
Aug 7, 2017 / P.E. Moskowitz
These Cities Are Putting Our Fractious Federal Government to Shame These Cities Are Putting Our Fractious Federal Government to Shame
Dispatches from the Urban Resistance, from Denver to Minneapolis.
Jul 31, 2017 / Jimmy Tobias
Imagine a Campaign-Finance System That’s the Opposite of Today’s Dark-Money Monster Imagine a Campaign-Finance System That’s the Opposite of Today’s Dark-Money Monster
Seattle just created it.
Jul 26, 2017 / Jimmy Tobias
Can This Muslim Community Create a Model for Rebuilding Detroit? Can This Muslim Community Create a Model for Rebuilding Detroit?
Dream of Detroit is uniting Muslims across race and background to rebuild one of the city’s long-neglected neighborhoods.
Jul 26, 2017 / Feature / Jenna Krajeski
How a Small City Took On a Financial Giant—and Reclaimed Its Most Precious Resource How a Small City Took On a Financial Giant—and Reclaimed Its Most Precious Resource
After a protracted fight with the Carlyle Group, Missoula’s water is finally in the hands of the people.
Jul 5, 2017 / Jimmy Tobias