Urban Planning and Development

Jim Crow Infrastructure and the Jackson, Miss., “Water Crisis”

Jim Crow Infrastructure and the Jackson, Miss., “Water Crisis” Jim Crow Infrastructure and the Jackson, Miss., “Water Crisis”

To understand why more rain means less drinking water in Mississippi’s capital, you need to look to the state’s racist past—and the present malign neglect of its Black citizens.

Sep 6, 2022 / Makani Themba

The ACLU Fights for Minneapolis

The ACLU Fights for Minneapolis The ACLU Fights for Minneapolis

Though international attention has waned, the battle over policing here still rages. Several lawsuits by the ACLU cut to the heart of what's at stake.

Aug 31, 2022 / Alyssa Oursler

Searching for Local Identity in “The Bear” and “Chicago Party Aunt”

Searching for Local Identity in “The Bear” and “Chicago Party Aunt” Searching for Local Identity in “The Bear” and “Chicago Party Aunt”

The FX drama and Netflix animation both attempt to embody the city of Chicago. That’s an increasingly difficult task when the city itself is a jumbled simulacrum of its own past.

Aug 25, 2022 / Ryan Zickgraf

An LA Sanitation Bureau crew cleans up a homeless encampment

California Needs to Think Outside the Box on Homelessness California Needs to Think Outside the Box on Homelessness

Restricting encampments doesn’t get at the root of the problem.

Aug 12, 2022 / Sasha Abramsky

A sign that reads

Philly Tenants Are Fighting on the Front Lines of the Low-Income Housing Crisis Philly Tenants Are Fighting on the Front Lines of the Low-Income Housing Crisis

As rents skyrocket, cities can’t afford to lose low-income housing like West Philadelphia’s UC Townhomes.

Aug 11, 2022 / Chris Gelardi

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks in front a sign that reads,

The Bloody Money Trail From the Qatar World Cup to the LA Olympics The Bloody Money Trail From the Qatar World Cup to the LA Olympics

Qatar is a human rights nightmare, but LA power brokers preparing for the 2028 Olympics don’t seem to care.

Aug 10, 2022 / Dave Zirin and Jules Boykoff

Emergency services near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London

10 Years On, London’s Olympic Legacy Is in Shambles 10 Years On, London’s Olympic Legacy Is in Shambles

Much like the country’s politics, the aftermath of the 2012 Olympics has been a mess. 

Jul 27, 2022 / Dave Zirin and Jules Boykoff

The Best Economists Uber Could Buy

The Best Economists Uber Could Buy The Best Economists Uber Could Buy

Why would some of the world’s leading economists overstate driver incomes?

Jul 22, 2022 / Doug Henwood

View of downtown Buffalo with City Hall reflecting in Lake Erie

Buffalo Community Activists Show How to Fight Gerrymandering Buffalo Community Activists Show How to Fight Gerrymandering

From the folks who backed India Walton, a community-led approach to redistricting.

Jul 12, 2022 / Geoff Kelly

Workers in yellow vests and hard hats on a blue crane in front of a gray building

Does Building Luxury Condos Create More Affordable Housing? Does Building Luxury Condos Create More Affordable Housing?

Brian Hanlon and Ned Resnikoff write that building market-rate housing lowers prices for everyone while John Washington and Tara Raghuveer argue that the private sector can’t fix i...

Jul 8, 2022 / The Debate / Brian Hanlon, Ned Resnikoff, John Washington, and Tara Raghuveer

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