Urban Economics

Rent control has long been criticized by economists, but the list of theoretical harms often aren't observable in reality. With a lack of serious public housing funding, the policy may be one of the best, and cheapest, ways to protect low-income families.

• By Jake Blumgart

Try to replicate it with development schemes all you want, but you're overlooking what makes New York City—and other places of ambition—so great.

• By Jim Russell