All That’s Utopian Melts Into Asphalt All That’s Utopian Melts Into Asphalt
Utopia Parkway, which slices through the most diverse borough in New York, began as a dream of cooperative housing for poor Jewish immigrants.
Jul 16, 2021 / Feature / Molly Crabapple
Why Does Utopian Architecture Suck? Why Does Utopian Architecture Suck?
Our plans to rethink the built environment keep going awry.
Jul 14, 2021 / Feature / Kate Wagner
How a Harlem Skyrise Got Hijacked—and Forgotten How a Harlem Skyrise Got Hijacked—and Forgotten
The fate of June Jordan’s visionary reimagining of Harlem, like the “progressive” design for IS 201, shows that when it comes to Utopias, the key question is always: “Whose?”
Jul 14, 2021 / Feature / Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts
Extreme Heat in Portland Is an ‘Acute Disaster on Chronic Disaster’ Extreme Heat in Portland Is an ‘Acute Disaster on Chronic Disaster’
Physical infrastructure, social services, labor protections—in the Pacific Northwest, none of them is designed with extreme heat in mind.
Jun 30, 2021 / Zoë Carpenter
Will the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan Turn Out to Be a Bridge to Nowhere? Will the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan Turn Out to Be a Bridge to Nowhere?
There are things to like about the reported deal. But progressives must make sure ambitious “human infrastructure” proposals are included in a reconciliation package.
Jun 24, 2021 / Joan Walsh
Brad Lander Knows How to Achieve the Big, Bold Structural Changes That Will Transform New York Brad Lander Knows How to Achieve the Big, Bold Structural Changes That Will Transform New York
The urban planner running for comptroller argues that the city can drive innovation and change by leveraging its financial power and influence to serve the people.
Jun 14, 2021 / John Nichols
We Don’t Need Science Fiction to Avert Climate Catastrophe We Don’t Need Science Fiction to Avert Climate Catastrophe
Europe is showing the world that a clean-energy transition is possible with existing technology.
Jun 14, 2021 / Paul Hockenos
Bernie Sanders Is Fed Up With Republican Obstruction—and Democratic Caution Bernie Sanders Is Fed Up With Republican Obstruction—and Democratic Caution
“If Republicans don’t want to cooperate,” he says, “then, yes, we have to move forward without them.”
Jun 4, 2021 / John Nichols
The Great Outdoors Was Made for White People The Great Outdoors Was Made for White People
As summer beckons, let’s think about how to create more inclusive outdoor spaces.
May 28, 2021 / Marya T. Mtshali
The New York Story Is Not the Real Estate Story The New York Story Is Not the Real Estate Story
Massive overdevelopment and warehousing apartments for the wealthy were killing New York even before the pandemic. So why are none of the mayoral candidates talking about that?
May 26, 2021 / Robert Neuwirth