The hottest Cities Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

A love letter to the BT Tower

Striking 13 • 2156 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Architecture Cities History
  1. The BT Tower's unique design makes it stand out in the cityscape, looking both old and modern, corporate yet eccentric.
  2. Skyscrapers often focus on luxury for the rich, but the BT Tower values its impact on the city landscape and the privilege of seeing it from below.
  3. Cities like London evolve rapidly, but iconic structures like the BT Tower provide a sense of continuity and rootedness in the midst of constant change.

Small Spaces

The Map is Mostly Water • 547 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture History Technology Cities Cultural Diversity Innovation
  1. Culture and new ideas can often originate and flourish in smaller spaces rather than just big cities or metropolises.
  2. Success in creating innovation and technology may not always come from larger cities; smaller, more remote locations can foster creativity and growth.
  3. Remote places can produce rare and valuable cultural specimens, and it's important to be mindful of the advantages of small spaces in fostering innovation and culture.

Against Agglomeration Economies

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 252 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💼 Business Economics Cities Housing Urban Development
  1. Economists often overemphasize the productivity of cities as the reason for expensive housing, leading to misdiagnoses and biases.
  2. High income gains have been observed in cities that didn't experience significant growth in housing units, challenging the concept of agglomeration economies.
  3. Income disparities among cities have increased over time, with a significant impact from Closed Access displacement, showing the importance of considering factors beyond productivity in city assessments.

SBSQ #3: Forget the polls — has Joe Biden been a good president?

Silver Bulletin • 147 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Election Gambling Presidency Cities
  1. Nate Silver believes Joe Biden has been a good president based on bills passed and handling of certain issues.
  2. Nate Silver shares his 7 favorite American cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami.
  3. Nate Silver discusses the betting odds for the US Presidential election and whether it's a good bet to buy GOP for the popular vote.
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New York City in 2040

offscript • 54 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Urbanism Cities Environment Travel
  1. The author imagines a car-free future for New York City in 2040, with more space for walking, biking, and relaxation.
  2. The author reflects on the peaceful atmosphere of European cities and envisions a similar vibe in a car-free New York City.
  3. The author encourages readers to consider the possibility of a vibrant and lively New York City without the pollution and noise of cars.

The State of New York City

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 12 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Cities Challenges Crime Diversity
  1. New York City has improved from the depths of the pandemic and compares favorably to other American cities in terms of homeless issues and safety.
  2. The city remains a vibrant cultural hub with remarkable diversity, offering a wide range of activities for residents and tourists.
  3. Despite its strengths, New York City faces major challenges such as elevated crime rates in certain categories, including theft.

Destination Tragedy

Litverse • 239 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Cities Society Literature Philosophy Memory
  1. The COVID-19 pandemic in New York City led to a unique experience for residents, revealing both the beauty and tragedy of the city amidst chaos and loss.
  2. Jeremiah Moss's book 'Feral City' explores the impact of new cultural norms and consumerism on NYC, reflecting on the city's transformation and values over time.
  3. Tragedy can evoke deep emotions and memories, leading to a rediscovery of oneself and the environment, but it can also highlight the differing perspectives and values people hold in society.

The City of Dreams

Cosmographia • 279 implied HN points • 01 Oct 22
🏝 Travel Cities Exploration
  1. Vienna is known as the City of Music and the City of Dreams.
  2. The City of Music nickname comes from its rich musical history and culture.
  3. Vienna as the City of Dreams reflects its reputation for being a place of inspiration and possibility.

Absent London

The Leftovers • 99 implied HN points • 26 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Cities Literature Philosophy
  1. London's true identity lies in its absence, as depicted by Patrick Keiller in 1992.
  2. Living in London helps you gradually distance yourself from its overwhelming influence.
  3. Many who are drawn to a city's center often face disappointment and the realization of life's inherent futility.

The World as Data

Donkeyspace • 4 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Film Internet Art Games Cities
  1. Rambalac's Tokyo walk videos provide a unique cinematic experience that is meditative and haunting.
  2. Backrooms videos and Rambalac videos offer a different take on anti-cinema, creating a vacuum for personal reflection.
  3. MonsterTrack bike race videos on YouTube blend high-speed excitement with the joy of extreme sports, offering a game-like viewing experience.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #58

Creative Destruction • 3 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Leisure Advertising Cities Economy Virtual
  1. Encouraging a better work-life balance involves more than just a four-day workweek; it also requires giving workers more power and changing the narrative around leisure and work.
  2. Advertising can be seen as brain pollution, normalizing harmful behaviors and products; there is a need for stricter regulations to prevent overconsumption and negative impact on society.
  3. There's a discussion about a potential shift away from cities towards more human-scale and communal living in the countryside, focusing on values that have been overshadowed by urbanization.

Henry Grabar's "Paved Paradise" is a Masterpiece

Exasperated Infrastructures • 9 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🎭️ Culture Book review Urban planning Transportation Cities Society
  1. Henry Grabar's book 'Paved Paradise' is likened to important urban planning works and sheds light on the impacts of parking policies.
  2. The book discusses the significant role of parking in shaping urban landscapes and the conflicts it has spurred.
  3. Through vivid storytelling and real-life characters, 'Paved Paradise' explores the complexities of parking policies and advocates for safer streets.