For much of the 20th century, Black communities and other communities of color were systematically denied mortgage loans – in a practice known as redlining which was backed by the Federal government – leading to decades of disinvestment. Lila Asher examines historical redlining maps in Columbus, Ohio, and finds that they align with present-day areas with greater levels of […]
In the spring of 2020, in addition to the COVID-19 public health emergency, US state governments were also facing budgetary crises as revenue sources such as sales and fees fell as lockdowns began. Using North Carolina as a case study, Whitney Afonso looks at municipalities’ budget strategies in the face of falling revenues. Rather than following best practice by […]
The growth in the film industry outside Hollywood raises questions about its impact on local communities. Using Atlanta Georgia, as a case study, Velma Zahirovic-Herbert examines how the opening of film production studios influences surrounding house values. She finds that studios tend to be located in lower-priced neighborhoods and are linked to increases in surrounding house prices following their […]
Every year, more than two million Americans face eviction. In addition to the negative implications of eviction for individuals and families, using data from Philadelphia, Daniel Semenza finds that higher rates of eviction correspond to greater rates of homicide, robbery, and burglary across communities. He highlights strategies to reduce evictions, including making renters aware of their rights, providing a […]
In The Creative Underclass: Youth, Race and the Gentrifying City, Tyler Denmead reflects on his role in founding New Urban Arts, an arts and humanities programme primarily for young people of colour in Providence, Rhode Island, using this as a means to critically examine how well-meaning arts organisations can replicate systems of race- and class-based inequalities in the face of gentrification. […]
People now use a number of terms to classify cities. The commonly used ‘smart city’ is preferred by tech companies. But their idea of ‘smart’ focuses on big data collection and narrow technological monitoring. Alternative terms include liveable, healthy, sustainable, adapting, carbon-neutral, and inclusive. Each one has its own limitations. Chetan Choudhury writes that the essence is simple: a city should […]
In How Ten Global Cities Take On Homelessness: Innovations That Work, Linda Gibbs, Jay Bainbridge, Muzzy Rosenblatt and Tamiru Mammo explore some of the key challenges faced by urban spaces in tackling homelessness and outline the successes of ten global cities when it comes to addressing its causes and consequences. This book is a valuable resource that not only identifies the […]
By creating processes which allow for public participation, governments can better involve citizens in their decision-making. Iuliia Shybalkina looks at the use of one type of public participation – participatory budgeting – across six New York City council districts. She finds that the incentives council members faced had a large influence on how their districts invested in the participatory […]
COVID’s effect on the social lives of city dwellers – being able to meet at the pub, restaurants or theatre – may be more relevant for the future of cities than its impact on work, write Gabriel Ahlfeldt, Fabian Bald, Duncan Roth, and Tobias Seidel.
The world is currently experiencing the largest pandemic since the Spanish flu one century ago. […]
How nationalism can be a force for good in the struggle against Covid-19
What Happened?: Arizona turned blue in the 2020 presidential election, but the Republicans still control the state.
What Happened?: The 2020 election showed that libertarians have a long way to go before they can become a national movement.
“Gay” or “Homosexual”: the words we use can divide public opinion on civil rights
Betul Dogan Akkas reviews The Son King: Reform and Repression in Saudi Arabia by Madawi Al-Rasheed
Karl Reimer reviews A Citizen’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence by John Zerilli, John Danaher, James Maclaurin, Colin Gavaghan, Alistair Knott, Joy Liddicoat and Merel Noorman
George Hong Jiang reviews How China Escaped Shock Therapy: The Market Reform Debate by Isabella M. Weber 
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A summer of unease and uncertainty for New York City’s housing politics
A summer of unease and uncertainty for New York City’s housing politics
In many cases the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated existing inequalities and threats experienced by those in low income communities. Reporting from New York City, Glyn Robbins looks at the city’s politics of homelessness and eviction in light of the pandemic. He writes that despite local measures like the city’s extended eviction ban, leadership on housing policy ultimately needs to […]