The hottest Urbanism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Cities are routers in network society

Subconscious • 988 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Cities act like routers in our connected world, linking people and resources together. They help create community and make life easier.
  2. Internet and networks change how power and information flow. Unlike old broadcast systems that focus on a center, networks spread connections widely.
  3. With new technology, many people are becoming digital nomads. They can work from anywhere, making cities hubs for gatherings and shared experiences again.

Issue 22: Why Europe doesn’t have a Tesla

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 18 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Rigid employment rules in many European countries make firing very costly and discourage firms from taking big, risky bets. That reduces the chance of breakthrough companies emerging, though some countries manage to balance worker protections with flexibility.
  2. Vaccine science has advanced enormously — we can now see microbes at atomic detail and build vaccines in new ways — so we’re in a golden age of vaccine development. Future breakthroughs will depend on continued investment and support.
  3. Market-style reforms in communist countries usually failed because they didn’t create quick, broad winners and threatened inflation and instability. Without reforms that build fast coalitions of beneficiaries, changes were often watered down or reversed.

no. 83: like water

let them eat cake • 379 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Montreal showcases inventive urban design elements like recycling racks on trash cans and bike parking meters, enriching the city experience.
  2. Montreal's food scene offers genuine and unpretentious dining experiences that stand out for their simplicity and excellence.
  3. Contrasting Montreal's unassuming authenticity, New York's neo-bistrots exemplify a more staged, predictable dining trend, crafting a curated experience that may lack the same genuine warmth.

Odds and Ends #47: I think this YouTube video just changed my life

Odds and Ends of History • 804 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. A YouTube video can have a big impact on someone's life, showing how quickly ideas can change our perspectives. It's amazing how something simple can inspire us to think differently.
  2. Urban reviews can be subjective and funny, highlighting how even a short stay can lead someone to feel like an expert. It shows that everyone has different experiences in new places.
  3. The conversation about political lobbying is complex, and there seems to be growing concern about its influence. It's important to stay informed about how these issues affect us and our communities.

Should You Believe the Hype About Miami?

The New Urban Order • 259 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏝 Travel Urbanism
  1. Miami reflects modern American obsessions with beauty, pleasure, money, technology, and escapism.
  2. Despite the hype, Miami is facing a net population loss, especially in its expensive areas like Miami Beach.
  3. The concept of a city is evolving to include virtual elements, connecting people based on shared experiences and work rather than physical location.
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Mini Exasperations #2

Exasperated Infrastructures • 14 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urbanism
  1. The TRB annual meeting is the most valuable week for researchers and academics — go for hallway conversations and selective evening receptions, and don’t try to see everything.
  2. U.S. transit systems need massive, sustained investment (roughly $230 billion a year in one estimate) to repair decades of underfunding and remain competitive.
  3. Transit planning is full of tradeoffs like coverage versus speed, so practical changes (for example, fewer bus stops) and strong community input can free resources and improve service.

The Case For and Against California Forever

The New Urban Order • 139 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. California Forever aims to address California's housing crisis by offering a new city with up to 400,000 residents and 160,000 dwelling units.
  2. Critics argue that California Forever's development threatens natural resources, increases wildfire risk, and diverts attention and resources from existing infrastructure improvements.
  3. The project prompts debate on the balance between housing expansion and environmental impact, as well as the effectiveness of starting a new city versus revitalizing existing communities.

The beautiful rebirth of Dresden (2)

Wrong Side of History • 303 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Dresden has seen a lot of restoration after being heavily damaged in WWII. Local efforts have helped rebuild parts of the city to bring back its historical beauty.
  2. A community group called the Dresden Historical Neumarkt Society played a big role in this rebuilding. They gathered thousands of signatures to push for the restoration of key sites.
  3. People in Dresden are excited about their city's revival and are looking forward to making it a beautiful place like other major European cities.

Communing with nature

City Quitters • 199 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Urbanism
  1. We need to pay more attention to nature and the non-human world around us. Being in nature can help us feel better and remind us of our connection to everything else.
  2. Humans have thought too highly of themselves and this has hurt the planet. It's important to recognize that all living things have value and we should treat them with respect.
  3. It's possible to learn from nature even in urban areas. By being mindful and observing our surroundings, we can develop a deeper connection and appreciation for the world around us.

Risk of Ruin Podcast

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 21 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🎙 Podcasts Urbanism
  1. The episode breaks down what's been messing up the housing market and the reforms aimed at fixing it.
  2. Two very different homebuilders are already putting recent west-coast reforms into practice, showing policy changes are leading to real activity on the ground.
  3. A home's right is attached to the lot, and because that right is currently scarce, turning lots from single-home to multi-home rights is extremely valuable. Small design details matter, but mechanisms that multiply homes per lot act like a money printer.

On the shitfication of cities

The Leftovers • 219 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. The city is constantly evolving and being impacted by the dynamics of capitalism.
  2. Urban capital accumulation leads to the homogenization of city spaces, diminishing social opportunities and diversity.
  3. A solution to combat the negative impacts of capitalism on cities is through collective efforts to re-socialize spaces and address urban alienation.

The Mosaic of Urban Memory

The New Urban Order • 159 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. St. Louis has a deep history reflected in its urban architecture, but faces challenges due to population decline and urban renewal.
  2. The exhibit 'Urban Archeology: Lost Buildings of St. Louis' showcases salvaged architectural elements to create a 'mosaic of urban memory' that tells a story of past communities and structures.
  3. The exhibit emphasizes a different approach to historical preservation, focusing on individual artifacts to understand the broader narrative of St. Louis's urban fabric and the importance of valuing and defending historical elements.

Is The Rent Killing Sex?

The Discourse Lounge • 550 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. High housing costs and living arrangements impact young people's sexual activity, but it may not be the sole reason for the decline in sex among the youth.
  2. Social media and digital content consumption are influencing the decline in sexual activity among young people, shifting priorities from physical activities like partying to phone engagement.
  3. The decrease in early marriages and relationships, along with the availability of dating apps providing many options for sex, are other significant factors contributing to the decrease in sexual activity among young people.

The Illusion of Solitude

Passing Time • 267 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Wilderness is often seen as a pure and untouched place, but this idea is mostly a cultural invention. Many people view wild areas as spots to escape civilization, even though they are still part of a broader landscape filled with human activities.
  2. The divide between untouched nature and developed land can make us feel separate from the natural world. In reality, we are always connected to nature, and wildness can be found in many kinds of places, like city parks or urban environments.
  3. Seeking solitude in nature is a common desire, but real wildness exists everywhere, not just in isolated spots. Just as Thoreau found value in Walden Pond, we can also find moments of connection to nature in crowded places.

5 New Books on Cities, Climate, and More

The New Urban Order • 39 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
📚 Literature Urbanism
  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.

Towards a Quieter City

The New Urban Order • 119 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Complaining about noise pollution in the city is often met with the suggestion to move, but cities are increasingly recognizing the health risks associated with noise and taking action.
  2. Noise pollution can have serious health impacts, including hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart disease, and increased stress in adults, as well as sleep loss and cognitive impairment in children.
  3. Efforts to address noise pollution vary, with some cities implementing tech-driven solutions like 'noise radar,' but challenges arise in enforcement, appropriate consequences for noise makers, and balancing noise regulations with other policing priorities.

To Build a Healthy Super-Organism: A City for Citizens

Holodoxa • 139 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Jane Jacobs emphasized that cities should be viewed through the collective lives of their citizens, not just imposed rational designs.
  2. Jacobs advocated for grassroots, decentralized approaches to city development, challenging orthodoxies of urban planning from the mid-to-late 20th century.
  3. Critics point out that Jacobs' ideas may overlook factors like human capital, centralized planning benefits, and power dynamics within urban communities, but her work remains influential in urban planning and design.

🍿 A stan-tastic show and tell.

New_ Public • 117 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. New team members at New_Public shared interesting projects and discoveries.
  2. The importance of creating shared experiences in digital spaces was highlighted.
  3. Exploring the intersection of moral philosophy, public policy, and technology.

Reality is a Privilege

The New Urban Order • 99 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Many people are spending increasing amounts of time in virtual reality, which may become a compulsion and potential tool for survival in a degraded environment.
  2. As physical reality becomes less viable, the shift towards online life can lead to decreased social interaction, impacting mental health and social dynamics in cities.
  3. Good urban planning that prioritizes accessible physical spaces is essential to maintaining humanity and preventing a digital divide where individuals are forced to live more of their lives online.

Zombie Buildings

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 339 implied HN points • 11 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Zombie buildings are old structures that remain even after the original buildings are gone. They often have unique stories behind them.
  2. Some examples include columns from demolished churches and schools that have been repurposed or displayed. They serve as reminders of the past.
  3. These remnants show how buildings can have a lasting impact on a city, even if the buildings themselves are no longer standing.

2023 Was the Year Cities Sued — And Won

The New Urban Order • 59 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urbanism
  1. Cities are increasingly using litigation to address problems that policies can't solve.
  2. City legal departments are evolving from being slow and conservative to actively participating in affirmative litigation.
  3. Cities are winning lawsuits against companies like Kia, Hyundai, Big Oil, and 3M for issues like car theft, climate change, and pollution.

Why Cities?

The New Urban Order • 79 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. The narrative around cities and urban living is evolving, with a renewed focus on improving quality of life and addressing why people choose to live in cities today.
  2. Major cities are facing challenges as online cultural offerings and retail experiences compete with the unique aspects of city living, emphasizing the need for cities to enhance their distinct urban forms and community connections.
  3. Investing in public transit, affordable housing, historic architecture, and community spaces are vital for cities to attract and retain residents, especially essential workers, and maintain a sense of place and connection in a rapidly changing world.

#113 Is anyone there?

Design Lobster • 239 implied HN points • 11 Jul 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Urbanism
  1. Sophisticated AI tools are changing how art and design are created, sparking debates on the nature of creativity and artistry.
  2. Design that connects with its context can reveal surprising and special elements, adding depth and meaning to the work.
  3. The core of design always revolves around people, emphasizing the importance of designing with empathy and understanding the human element.

5 Fresh Cities I'm Watching

The New Urban Order • 59 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Urbanism
  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.

Under Construction: Cornerstone

Cornerstone • 59 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Cornerstone is a blog about urbanism, focusing on the built environment and people's interactions with it, primarily through an economic lens.
  2. Efficient land use in urban areas can lead to significant improvements for everyone.
  3. Bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong is an interesting example of urban construction techniques.

Prism Lights

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 239 implied HN points • 26 May 22
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Prism lights were created after the Great Fire of 1889 in Seattle to bring light to underground spaces under sidewalks. They were designed to let natural light into these areas.
  2. There are thousands of prism lights in Seattle, especially in the Pioneer Square area, but many are damaged or replaced by hard materials. This shows how important it is to preserve these historical features.
  3. Prism lights can also be found in other cities like London and New York, dating back to the late 1800s. However, modern building owners often cover them up because it's cheaper than keeping them intact.

Why Are There a Million NIMBY-Themed Movies and No YIMBY-Themed Ones?

I Might Be Wrong • 5 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Popular movies lean on a simple underdog-versus-developer story, making homeowners sympathetic and developers easy villains because that emotional conflict is easy to tell.
  2. Pro-housing (YIMBY) stories are hard to dramatize and sell, since supporting development involves complex tradeoffs and lacks a single, easy-to-hate antagonist that fits classic screenwriting beats.
  3. This storytelling bias has real consequences: it hides how anti-development choices harm people by keeping housing scarce, worsening commutes and pollution, and protecting incumbents who benefit from the status quo.

Podcast Episode + Other Stuff

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 4 implied HN points • 10 Dec 25
🎙 Podcasts Urbanism
  1. Posting is paused for about two weeks because of master’s exams and family commitments for a birthday.
  2. A previous piece was translated and expanded for Revista Supernova so Spanish readers can read a version with new material.
  3. A Millennial Dream podcast episode features a conversation about starting on Substack, Argentina’s economic history and politics, digital nomads, and urban topics like walkability and transit.

The Pavilion of Dreams

Kneeling Bus • 244 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Architects focus more on urban cores than suburban areas in America.
  2. Suburban landscapes are mostly designed by real estate development, not architects.
  3. Urban housing shortages are intentional to increase real estate value, benefiting investors over accommodating everyone.

What’s next for New York’s historic preservation movement?

Urben Field Notes • 54 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Urbanism
  1. New York has a strong historic preservation law that protects many buildings, but it can also make it hard to build new homes in desirable areas. This creates a tough balance between keeping history and making space for more people.
  2. Some new development plans, like the SoHo rezoning, try to add more housing while keeping important historic buildings safe, which could help both residents and the city's character.
  3. There are better ways to work with historic buildings so new structures can fit in without getting in the way of preserving important parts of the city's history. It's about finding a middle ground where old and new can coexist.

Highland Park Captured My Heart

Cornerstone • 39 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Highland Park in Pittsburgh exemplifies a beautiful blend of closely spaced homes, walkability, and a large park.
  2. The neighborhood showcases the potential of human-scale urban planning with diverse housing types and economic integration.
  3. Highland Park's organic beauty and timeless charm highlight the possibility of creating similar communities if granted permission and freedom in development.

📏Tall Dead Trees

Reboot • 16 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Urbanism
  1. Telephone poles are not just for electrical wires; they also help neighbors share information and connect with one another. People use them to post flyers and messages, making them vital for local communication.
  2. Many city laws discourage adding anything to telephone poles, which can limit community creativity. This can make it hard for people to share important local information or express themselves.
  3. Community-driven projects like mesh networks show that people can creatively use telephone poles to improve local connectivity. These grassroots efforts often face challenges but highlight the importance of local engagement in urban spaces.

Assorted links and comments

The Permanent Problem • 2 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Popup and startup-style communities act as labs for culture and governance, using long-term physical immersion to let new social practices and habits take root.
  2. Economics strongly shapes whether people join tight-knit communities. As wealth and basic security rise, more people can afford to choose intentional communal living over career-first lifestyles.
  3. Organizers are shifting from temporary gatherings to incubating real projects inside these communities, moving from proof-of-concept toward building lasting institutions and attracting diverse builders and tools.

#56 The invention of corridors

Design Lobster • 239 implied HN points • 22 Feb 21
🪑 Design Urbanism
  1. Corridors reflect changes in societal relationships and the need for privacy in architecture.
  2. Consider the spirit and fun that can be brought out in design, even in digital mechanisms like clocks.
  3. Simplicity in design forces focus on the real problems, delivering substance over ornament.

Heaven Is a Truck

Kneeling Bus • 176 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Twitter urbanism discourse often reflects a dissatisfaction with the physical environment.
  2. The contemporary city has vast voids that shape our frustration with the built environment.
  3. Rethinking traditional urbanist theories is crucial to understanding our evolving cities.

Links in Progress: We can still build beautifully

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 23 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Urbanism
  1. Many new buildings over the last two decades show that creativity and beauty in design are still very much possible. These structures challenge the common idea of what homes or offices should look like.
  2. It's important to consider how new developments can fit into existing communities while respecting their character. Good design can enhance neighborhoods without losing their unique charm.
  3. Recent architecture demonstrates that we can create functional spaces that are also beautiful and inviting. This could inspire more people to support new projects in their areas.

New York City in 2040

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