Cities
More Trees Mean Better Health Outcomes, According to New Research
New Australian research finds that, when a neighborhood's green space leads to better health outcomes, it's the canopy of trees that provides most of the benefits.
Pollinators Can Thrive in Metropolitan Areas
A growing body of research suggests that human-dense cities and flourishing wildlife aren't incompatible after all.
How Cities Across the U.S. Are Using Philanthropy to Combat Inequality
All over the country low-income citizens are struggling to attain more economic mobility. A new program funded by two large foundations is working to address that.
Can Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and U.S. Cities End Exclusionary Zoning?
Most U.S. cities have a housing crisis and severe racial segregation. Will a spate of new plans work to solve both problems?
Why Progressive Cities in Conservative States Are Losing Their Political Influence
State lawmakers are increasingly using tactics that suppress progressive legislation being passed in metropolitan areas.
Stories You Might Have Missed This Week
Prisons in Washington State may be blocking book donations, air pollution is shortening lives, and a four-legged whale skeleton provides evolutionary clues.
Urban Forests Are More Vital Than Ever. Why Aren't We Managing Them Better?
Forest managers in cities need more data on climate change, pests, and other factors, and they spend much of their time and funding on invasive species.
To Successfully Rebuild a City, Don't Forget the Culture
Culture is an overlooked element in rebuilding cities ravaged by disasters, war, and other forms of urban distress.
Could Designing a Better Bus Lane Be Done With a Simple Can of Paint?
"Tactical transit lanes"—also known as dedicated bus lanes—are a simple and low-cost way of creating better bussing infrastructure.
High Rents Are Stunting Job-Market Growth
A mismatch between the numbers of jobs and the number of job seekers in a neighborhood doesn't only hurt workers. It hinders the labor market too.
What Airbnb Does to Renters, Employees, and Cities
A recent study argues that cities need to start treating Airbnb like any other hotel business, and regulate it accordingly.
How Houston Has Virtually Ended Homelessness Among Veterans
Can the city's model work for chronic homelessness, in Houston and beyond?
Uncertainty Around the 2020 Census Has Local Leaders on the Back Foot
Uncertainty over the government's future operations and the addition of a citizenship question have left cities bracing for chaos during the upcoming census.
A Clever New Map Shows Which Chicago Neighborhoods Are Most at Risk From Pollution
The NRDC hopes its new research into municipal pollution can help organizers push for sound, equitable policy.
What Happened When Swarms of Bees Invaded Valencia
In the city of 790,000 people, bee colonies up to 10,000 strong emerged all over the place and overwhelmed the city's resources.
Is There a Better Way for Cities to Lure in Businesses?
Now that Amazon's HQ2 search is finally over, people are once again calling for reforms to economic incentive packages.
Urbanization Intensified Hurricane Harvey's Flooding. What Does That Mean for Future Storms?
As more areas of the country are hit with the kind of flooding seen during Harvey, the role of the city will become increasingly important.
Is There a Dark Side to the Preservation of Grand Central Terminal?
While the rescue of Grand Central seems like a clear-cut case of good over evil, the role of historic preservation in the 21st-century city can be more complex.
Can Uber and Lyft Move Cities Toward a More Sustainable Future?
Both companies have made big commitments to prove their eco-friendliness, but there's still debate over whether they will put the environment ahead of their bottom lines.
How a Coming Exodus From Flint Could Further Imperil the City's Infrastructure
According to a new study, wealthy and educated citizens could be the first to go.
Finding a Wildlife Refuge in the Heart of New York City
A look at the animals that live among us—known as synanthropes—that are often cast aside as pests.
To Curb Carbon Emissions, Cities Need More Efficient Buildings
Buildings account for roughly 50 percent of a city's total carbon emissions, and 70 percent in major cities like London, Los Angeles, and Paris.
The Movement for Urban Tree Expansion Is Growing
In Austin, Texas, and King County, Washington, private companies can now offset their carbon emissions by funding tree-planting in their local cityscape.
Who Should Foot the Bill for Trump's Rallies?
Cities have often ended up underwriting the president's events, even though they've been saddled with some pretty hefty costs in the aftermath.