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How cities can drive opportunity for the bulk of their citizens
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Urban Reform Institute
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Urban Reform Institute is a 501c3 Non-Profit organization
that exists to promote approaches that enable cities to
drive opportunity for the bulk of their citizens.
We Need More Family Friendly Cities
in Urban Issues/by Aaron M. Rennby Aaron M. Renn — My latest piece is now online at the Institute for Family Studies. It’s a look at what it would take to make more family friendly cities.
The Unintended Consequence of the Green Movement is More Homeless
in Economics, Housing, Politics & Policy, Urban Issues/by Ronald Steinby Ronald Stein — The growing populations of homeless and families falling below the poverty line is obvious proof that California plans to go green, at any cost.
The Regression of America’s Big Progressive Cities
in Urban Issues/by Joel Kotkinby Joel Kotkin — If there’s anything productive to come from his recent Twitter storm, President Trump’s recent crude attacks on Baltimore Congressman Elijah Cummings have succeeded in bring necessary attention to the increasingly tragic state of our cities.
Population Density and Resource Abundance: Turning Malthusian Logic On its Head
in Demographics, Planning, Suburbs, Urban Issues/by Pierre Desrochers and Joanna Szurmakby Pierre Desrochers and Joanna Szurmak — A few months ago prominent naturalist David Attenborough told attendees at the World Economic Forum about humanity’s unsustainable population growth and his certainty that it has to “come to an end” quickly.
The Good Life, Just Beyond
in Reviews, Suburbs/by Joel KotkinIf forced to compare an ice cream flavor with suburbia, many would pick vanilla. Yet, as Amanda Kolson Hurley writes in her new book, Radical Suburbs: Experimental Living on the Fringes of the American City, this is just one of many “misinformed clichés” about these peripheral communities.
Should “Be Someone” Be Houston’s Official Motto?
in Economics, Urban Issues/by Tory Gattisby Tory Gattis — Most Houstonians are familiar with Houston’s most famous piece of graffiti, the “Be Someone” message in giant letters on the Union Pacific bridge over I45 north of downtown.
The New Shame of Our Cities
in Housing, Suburbs, Urban Issues/by Joel Kotkinby Joel Kotkin — Urban revival views are more aspirational, than reflective of reality. Overall, data suggests that, with few exceptions, we are seeing continued movement from our large cities to suburbs and less dense cities.
After Amazon: What Happened in New York Isn’t Just About New York
in Demographics, Economics, Urban Issues/by Joel Kotkinby Joel Kotkin — The fiasco surrounding Amazon’s recent escape from New York reflects a broader, potentially devastating trend. This new development is being driven by demographic shifts as cities become increasingly polarized with little room for a middle ground between the very rich and the very poor.
The Fabric of Character
in Reviews/by Alicia KurimskaOur world is changing faster than ever before. As our relationships to work, place, information, place, and most importantly, each other, have massively shifted, we are stuck in an uncertain place yearning for a common ground. Can fostering character formation in these uncertain times spark meaningful change in people’s lives?
Homelessness in Hollywood
in Economics, Housing, Urban Issues, Video/by Alicia Kurimskaby Alicia Kurimska — The allure of Los Angeles may be good weather, beaches, and the glam of Hollywood. However, the area has about 50,000 who are currently experiencing homelessness. This video examines the extreme inequality of the area.