urban life

Population Density and Resource Abundance: Turning Malthusian Logic On its Head

by 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.
"Be Someone" Houston Graffiti

Should “Be Someone” Be Houston’s Official Motto?

by 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.
Urban Poverty circa 1874

The New Shame of Our Cities

by 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.
anti Amazon graffiti, seen in New York

After Amazon: What Happened in New York Isn’t Just About New York

by 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 Hollywood Sign, as seen from a nearby trail.

Homelessness in Hollywood

by 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.
Chicago’s Gold Coast, by Roman Boed

New York, Los Angeles and Chicago Metro Areas All Lose Population

by Wendell Cox — There was big news in the 2018 population estimates just released on metropolitan areas in the United States. For the first time all three of the largest metropolitan areas – New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago – lost population.
Apartment building in Westwood area of LA.Photo credit: Brian Wallace

Killing the California Dream

by Randal O' Toole — Californians need to give up on their dream of a “ranch-house lifestyle” and an “ample backyard” and the state should become “more like New York City,” writes LA Times columnist George Skelton. After reading his article, the Antiplanner has just one question: Why?
Los Angeles MTA Headquarters

Los Angeles Rail: Ridership Decline Estimated at 42 Percent

by Wendell Cox — The Reason Foundation has just published an important review of transit in Los Angeles County, finding that building the rail (and fixed busway) system has cost considerably more than anticipated while the revenue from the multiple sales taxes passed by voters has fallen short of projections.
Merced, California — now part of Bay Area Sprawl

Anti-“Sprawl” Bay Area Leads Expanding Metropolitan Regions

by Wendell Cox — This article examines metropolitan regions based on Office of Budget & Management boundaries. It illustrates that, despite the desires of planners and environmentalists to limit “sprawl”, labor markets continue to expand their footprint, particularly in the most regulated regions such as the Bay Area.
Millennials in Downtown Houston

Where Millennials Really Go For Jobs

by Joel Kotkin and Wendell Cox — Contrary to media hype, young workers aren't flocking to "superstar" cities. In fact, a new Brookings study shows millennials are moving away from metros with dense big cities.