Ed Glaeser argues that given the right conditions, start-ups can drive the city's economic future.
Historically, entrepreneurship has been a key element of New York's economic success, says Glaeser, but in recent times the city has become overly reliant on a single industry: finance. He argues that with a 9.6 percent unemployment rate (slightly higher than the national average), the city should focus on minimizing regulations that make it difficult to start new businesses and attracting smart, creative residents.
Glaeser writes:
"New York's economy will never recover from the downturn by trying to compete with China's labor costs or with Houston's housing costs...Rather, New York's success will depend on its ability to produce a steady stream of new products and ideas."
FULL STORY: Start-Up City
Restarting New Orleans With Startups
In town for New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, Zak Stone reports on New Orleans' attempts to repopulate the city with the creative class.
MTA Poised to Break Ridership, On-Time Service Records
New York City’s transit system saw strong increases in ridership and improvements in service quality in the first half of 2025.
Aging NYC Subway Cars No Match for Extreme Heat
The MTA receives thousands of complaints about broken air conditioning on subway cars each summer.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie