Blogging the 'Vanishing' of New York City

An article on The Daily Beast provides an in-depth portrait of the ethos and politics of a blog known as Vanishing New York—a militantly nostalgic platform that laments the loss of New York's former urban glories.

1 minute read

August 11, 2014, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Tim Teeman goes behind the scenes with Jeremiah Moss (actually a pseudonym, reports Teeman), who runs the popular and incendiary blog Vanishing New York. (Planetizen has shared the work of Vanishing New York before, when Moss argued that the High Line is an example of the ill effects of hyper gentrification.)

Here's how Teeman describes the project of the blog: "Moss is cataloging the disappearance of small stores and local restaurants from New York’s streets and neighborhoods as rent hikes force them out and chain coffee shops and big, shiny, glass condos and office spaces replace them."

Where blogs with pro-development politics, like New York YIMBY or Curbed, embrace many of the ongoing changes in urban areas like New York City, Jeremiah's Vanishing New York argues that recent trends of New York's urban experience are actually more in line with the trends of that "dirty word"—suburban.

Moss is quoted directly on that point in the article: "Suddenly a suburbanized Middle America was taking over what had been a long-standing pocket of eccentricity and bohemianism….That thing I left the suburbs to get away from is now at our gates.

Throughout the post, Teeman pushes back on Moss's politics, providing a compelling point-counterpoint.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014 in The Daily Beast

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects

Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

View of Interstate 205 bridge over Columbia River with Mt. Hood in background.

The Unceremonious Death of a Freeway Expansion Project

The end of an Oregon freeway project didn't get much fanfare, but the victory is worth celebrating.

September 19, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Google maps street view of San Francisco alleyway.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’

A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

September 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Aerial view of coastal development and bright blue ocean in Kaua'i, Hawai'i.

Kaua’i County Uses Long-Range Models to Mandate Resiliency Standards

The county requires builders to assess potential flood risks using models that account for sea level rise projected as far out as 2100.

September 28 - Smart Cities Dive

Semi truck driving down freeway with twilight sky in background.

California Governor Vetoes Autonomous Truck Ban

Gov. Newsom called the new law unnecessary, citing existing efforts by state regulators to develop new rules around autonomous trucking.

September 28 - Wired

Roadside motel with turquoise room doors in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Low-Barrier Motel Shelter Is a Success—But Not an Easy One

Many guests at Motels4Now are on their second or third stays—but staff say that's doesn't equal failure, and the numbers bear that out.

September 28 - Shelterforce Magazine

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.