Urban Planning and Development

Kenya Mobile Cash Industry

Kenya’s Growth Doesn’t Help All Kenyans Kenya’s Growth Doesn’t Help All Kenyans

Despite government aims to make the country Africa’s “digital hub,” the economy remains unequal and unproductive.

Dec 4, 2018 / Sabine Cessou

adem-bunkeddeko-brooklyn

All of a Sudden, Politicians Are Ready to Tackle America’s Housing Crisis All of a Sudden, Politicians Are Ready to Tackle America’s Housing Crisis

Upstart candidates and 2020 presidential hopefuls alike are putting the perennially ignored issue at the top of the agenda.

Nov 20, 2018 / Bryce Covert

amazon-protest-nyc

The Scam at the Heart of New York’s Amazon Deal The Scam at the Heart of New York’s Amazon Deal

New York is struggling with competing housing, education, and transit crises. So why is it giving billions to a voracious mega-monopoly?

Nov 19, 2018 / Jarrett Murphy

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam Is Fighting for Its Soul. Can a Progressive New Government Save It? Amsterdam Is Fighting for Its Soul. Can a Progressive New Government Save It?

The new city government has big ambitions—but the challenges could prove even bigger.

Oct 2, 2018 / Sebastiaan Faber

Lisbon tourists

‘Overtourism’ Is Driving Europeans Crazy ‘Overtourism’ Is Driving Europeans Crazy

Is anti-tourist sentiment code for classism, racism, and xenophobia, or a legitimate concern over a city's capacity to accommodate visitors?

Sep 12, 2018 / Jessica Loudis

A Time Warner Cable service technician works on cable service from a van parked on the Upper West side of the Manhattan borough of New York City

New York City Has ‘a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity’ to Create an Internet for All New York City Has ‘a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity’ to Create an Internet for All

“Dead skunks on the highway” are more popular than cable companies, so why not replace them with something better?

Aug 20, 2018 / Teke Wiggin

Obama Center Protests

The Obama Center Leaves Chicago Communities in Its Shadow The Obama Center Leaves Chicago Communities in Its Shadow

The Obama Foundation is back selling hope and change to big-name donors, but this time, Chicago’s South Side residents aren’t all buying it.

Jul 10, 2018 / LeAlan M. Jones

Skid Row, Los Angeles

Criminalizing Homelessness Violates Basic Human Rights Criminalizing Homelessness Violates Basic Human Rights

Despite a UN report on poverty in the US, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti doubles down on cruel, anti-poor laws.

Jul 5, 2018 / John Raphling

Street Vendor

New York Wants to Bar Streetcart Vendors From the World Trade Center Site New York Wants to Bar Streetcart Vendors From the World Trade Center Site

Citing security concerns, a bill before the City Council would push vendors—most of them Muslim—out of the area they depend on for their livelihood.

Jul 3, 2018 / Michelle Chen

Amazon Seattle tax

Lessons From the Death of Seattle’s ‘Amazon’ Tax Lessons From the Death of Seattle’s ‘Amazon’ Tax

A strong housing movement needs strong politicians as allies.

Jun 22, 2018 / Jimmy Tobias

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