The hottest Cities Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 93

Why is this interesting? • 241 implied HN points • 21 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Cities
  1. Science and AI are turning curiosities into clear answers — explaining why skies look different across planets and even decoding the rules of ancient games.
  2. Hidden, tangled infrastructure under city streets can derail projects, so cities are making detailed maps to locate and fix buried utilities.
  3. Design and culture shape everyday life and identity — from chaotic women’s sizing to diplomats using clothing as a signal and the lasting cultural presence of long-running shows.

A love letter to the BT Tower

Striking 13 • 2156 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Cities
  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.

New York, I love you but...

Seven Senses • 439 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🏝 Travel Cities
  1. New York can feel like an amazing but exhausting place to live. People often work multiple jobs just to get by, and the high cost of living can wear you down.
  2. Even though New York is a unique and vibrant city, it can create a sense of emotional detachment. Many residents build an outer shell to handle the constant sensory overload and daily struggles.
  3. Leaving New York can feel like a failure to some, as it’s often seen as giving up on a dream. However, recognizing when you need a break or a change is important for your well-being.
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Destination Tragedy

Litverse • 239 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Cities
  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.

Predicting Where and Why People Will Move

The New Urban Order • 179 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Cities
  1. Remote work has affected American cities, with some experiencing population gains, while others continue to decline.
  2. Higher income individuals are more likely to work remotely and tend to move to less expensive areas.
  3. Despite the predictions that remote work would increase mobility, overall rates of mobility have continued to decline since the 1950s.

Small Spaces

The Map is Mostly Water • 547 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Cities
  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.

5 New Books on Cities, Climate, and More

The New Urban Order • 39 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
📚 Literature Cities
  1. Cities play a crucial role in human happiness, dignity, and equality through sustainable urban design.
  2. The 15-Minute City concept promotes a lifestyle where daily necessities are accessible by walking or biking within a short time frame.
  3. Addressing climate change and inequality requires transforming transportation systems to be inclusive of all people, not just drivers.

The Urban Arts Establishment Is in Trouble

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Cities
  1. Access to culture from home, accelerated by the pandemic, is impacting in-person arts attendance and the urban arts establishment.
  2. In-person arts attendance is declining, particularly among older, White audiences, while digital arts engagement is rising, especially among younger and diverse groups.
  3. The decline in traditional arts attendance poses challenges for cities economically, culturally, and in maintaining urban identities.

The City of Dreams

Cosmographia • 279 implied HN points • 01 Oct 22
🏝 Travel Cities
  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.

5 Cities Taking Nature Seriously

The New Urban Order • 79 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Cities
  1. Cities are increasingly focusing on nature-based solutions to combat climate change and improve urban life.
  2. Efforts include dedicating large areas to biodiversity, adding green spaces to streets, and investing significant funds in new parks.
  3. Local governments and private citizens are joining forces in these bold initiatives, setting examples for sustainability and resilience.

The 2024 Presidential Election Hinges on Cities

The New Urban Order • 59 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Cities
  1. Cities consistently have lower voter turnout compared to suburban and rural areas.
  2. Urban voters tend to be overwhelmingly Democratic, which leads to neglect from both Republican and Democrat campaigns.
  3. The 2024 Presidential Election is expected to focus on cities as an unexpected battleground, especially concerning the turnout of Black and Hispanic voters.

no. 60: choices made by others

let them eat cake • 179 implied HN points • 24 Sep 22
🏝 Travel Cities
  1. Leisure travel often revolves around consuming experiences or products, making it different from other types of travel like volunteering or religious pilgrimages.
  2. The character of a city, particularly in France, is shaped by choices made by others long ago, leading to similarities in street activities and settings.
  3. Cities in the US and France are increasingly dominated by activities like eating and shopping, potentially transforming them into tourist destinations as other uses of space become less prioritized.

Against Agglomeration Economies

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 252 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💼 Business Cities
  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.

5 Fresh Cities I'm Watching

The New Urban Order • 59 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Cities
  1. The author is following five fresh cities for their urban development and innovative approaches.
  2. These cities include a North American city repurposing vacant office buildings, an Eastern European city with a dynamic mayor focusing on city design, an Asian megacity with unique urban planning narratives, a city challenging London to become the U.K.'s cultural hub, and an African city undergoing transformation with pedestrianization and tech sector growth.
  3. The author's work revolves around exploring cities with forward-thinking mayors and unique urban development models.

Absent London

The Leftovers • 99 implied HN points • 26 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Cities
  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.

How AI Might Impact Crime in Cities

The New Urban Order • 39 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Cities
  1. New Orleans is using AI to help solve and prevent crime in the city due to high homicide rates and limited resources.
  2. AI technology can automate tasks that were previously not feasible due to budget constraints, potentially improving law enforcement efforts.
  3. Lower crime rates are crucial for the well-being and prosperity of cities, making AI-powered crime-solving initiatives significant for urban safety.

4 Things This Week

The New Urban Order • 19 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Cities
  1. The Vision Pro mixed reality headset may lead to societal divisions and changes in the nature of reality, prompting a need for new terms to describe this shift.
  2. Oklahoma City's potential construction of the country's tallest skyscraper with a mixed-use concept could signal a new era of skyscraper design in the U.S.
  3. Exploration of 'pocket neighborhoods' as an emerging concept in urban planning and architecture.

Tortoise Trumps Hare

Surfing the Future • 19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Cities
  1. Change can happen at different tempos - either slowly and steadily or in sudden bursts.
  2. Traditional cities evolved through trial-and-error, messily, embracing human messiness, while tech-centric areas opt for a more exclusive lifestyle.
  3. Engaging with exponential trends is important for shaping the future, but sometimes slow change can lead to radical transformation.

Walking Jakarta, part 1

intellectualinting • 172 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Cities
  1. Jakarta may not be a popular tourist destination compared to Bali
  2. Jakarta is a large city filled with diverse neighborhoods and unique personalities
  3. Despite its challenges, Jakarta has a warm and friendly atmosphere due to its village-like neighborhoods

New York City in 2040

offscript • 54 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Cities
  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
  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.