The hottest Urban Issues Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top U.S. Politics Topics

TGIF: Hellfire

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5824 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Governance Public Policy Environmental Policy Emergency Management Urban Issues Crisis response
  1. California is facing major wildfires, causing devastation in Los Angeles and forcing evacuations for nearly 180,000 people. The situation is worsened by a shortage of resources and rising crime.
  2. The city government has been criticized for neglecting infrastructure improvements that could help in emergencies, like building water storage facilities. Years of red tape have delayed these critical projects.
  3. Environmental regulations are impacting water availability for firefighting efforts, with a small fish called the delta smelt blocking water releases. This situation highlights the tension between environmental concerns and urgent resource needs.

The Burning Woman on the Train—and the Future of My City

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1131 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Public Safety Urban Issues Immigration
  1. Lawbreaking can harm communities and the quality of life in cities. People need to stand up and say enough is enough.
  2. The recent tragic incident of a woman being set on fire in a subway highlights the unsettling realities of urban life. It shows how dangerous and unpredictable city life can be.
  3. Living in a big city like New York can feel surreal, especially when faced with violent events while trying to enjoy everyday activities like visiting a museum.

Nobody goes to New York City anymore. It’s too crowded.

Silver Bulletin • 679 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Urban Issues Public Transit Safety
  1. The subway in New York City is still very popular, even setting daily ride records after COVID-19. More people ride the subway daily than fly on the busiest days in the U.S.
  2. While crime is a concern in cities, New York's violent crime rates are lower than often perceived. The actual number of violent incidents, especially in the subway, is quite low compared to the number of rides.
  3. Many people are still using public transportation, despite some opting for cars or working from home. The subway remains the main way to get around the city, showing resilience and demand.

American Cities are Squalid

Points And Figures • 1598 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Issues Political parties Government Control Presidential elections
  1. Many American cities are in terrible condition with public transportation smelling like human waste.
  2. The decline in American cities is attributed to Democratic governance and centralized policies.
  3. It's important to actively participate in elections to prevent the rise of policies leading to government control and socialism.
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Detroiters Are Paying Speculators' Property Taxes

The Chargeback • 78 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Taxation Property Rights Urban Issues
  1. The City of Detroit is proposing a land value tax to address the issue of Detroiters paying speculators' property taxes.
  2. Current property tax systems benefit owners of unused or dilapidated properties over those with occupied homes in good condition.
  3. Implementing a land value tax could shift the burden of property taxation away from Detroiters to speculators.

The Politics of a Great Unconformity

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 139 implied HN points • 01 Sep 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urban Issues Political History Geology Public Policy Social justice
  1. Seattle's Light Rail stations display a mix of very old and relatively new rocks, creating interesting geological features called unconformities.
  2. In 1989, a decision to use stone from South Africa led to a controversy concerning the ethics around apartheid, making local officials reconsider their choices.
  3. The fallout from the stone controversy resulted in a resignation at Metro, highlighting how political and ethical decisions can impact public projects.

Walking Phoenix

Chris Arnade Walks the World • 2 HN points • 03 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Society Homelessness Mental health Urban Issues Public Health
  1. Phoenix has contrasting sides - while some parts showcase a version of the American Dream, others are plagued by chaos and despair, highlighting societal issues like drug addiction and homelessness.
  2. The experience highlighted the challenges of navigating through a city with broken infrastructure, lack of facilities, and intense disorder, impacting both residents and visitors.
  3. There was a clear call for more empathy, support, and community to address the issues of substance abuse, homelessness, and societal emptiness observed in parts of Phoenix.