Archive - The Urban Condition

Are California’s environmental reforms a model for the ‘Abundance Agenda?’

By saying "yes" to housing and advanced manufacturing, California said "no" to other priorities. That could point to a new style of governing.

Jul 9 •

Benjamin Schneider

June 2025

Will the Reconnecting Communities program survive Trump?

A freeway cap in Portland, Oregon is in jeopardy. But the visionary “restorative redevelopment” next door goes on.

Jun 27 •

Benjamin Schneider

Cuomo is the candidate of NIMBYs and developers. What gives?

In the New York City mayoral race, odd bedfellows align to preserve the housing status quo.

Jun 19 •

Benjamin Schneider

The fastest, cheapest way to transform your city

Cities have acres of land hiding in plain sight that could be turned into plazas and parks. They just need the courage to make use of it.

Jun 6 •

Benjamin Schneider

May 2025

What the Democrats can learn from Canada's Liberal party on housing

Canada's center-left party wants to “get the federal government back in the business of building homes.” What do Democrats want?

May 13 •

Benjamin Schneider

California High-Speed Rail's plan to right itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 7 •

Benjamin Schneider

April 2025

Fifteen minute cities from the ground up

Brand new neighborhoods can be so much more than Americans have come to expect with ‘transit-oriented development’

Apr 29 •

Benjamin Schneider

Why are America’s trains so slow?

A brief historical inquiry.

Apr 16 •

Benjamin Schneider

March 2025

California High-Speed Rail’s original sin

Ezra Klein is right about many of the project’s problems. But he neglects its initial network design failures and what we can learn from them.

Mar 10 •

Benjamin Schneider

Cover them up or tear them down? Freeway fights enter a new era

Advocates are questioning the wisdom of freeway caps, insisting instead on the full removal of urban freeways.

Mar 7 •

Benjamin Schneider

January 2025

Trains and transmission: A climate solution hiding in plain sight?

In its final days, the Biden Administration endorsed a plan to revolutionize railroads and electricity transmission. California just released a…

Jan 16 •

Benjamin Schneider

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

More than a quarter of lots in Manhattan are protected by the city's Landmarks Law. That’s both a triumph and a challenge.

Jan 7 •

Benjamin Schneider

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