A pragmatic urban planner and writer shares personal reflections on family life, midlife, and politics alongside sharp commentary on US civic issues. Readers get opinionated, reform-minded takes on current political races and public space policy, such as public bathroom access.
Website: https://angieschmitt.substack.com
Torched is a Los Angeles newsletter by journalist Alissa Walker that covers the city's preparations for the 2028 Olympics, along with local politics, transportation and infrastructure. Readers get on-the-ground reporting and commentary on LA28 transparency, public hearings and civic projects.
Detailed coverage of Ottawa's transit system, including Transit Committee meeting recaps, Stage 2 LRT progress, and route-level service reliability snapshots built from OC Transpo data. It holds OC Transpo and city politicians accountable on reliability, funding and planning.
An archive of the 2024 Upzone Update, which analyzed Massachusetts towns' compliance with the MBTA Communities zoning law. It offers data-informed analysis, guest posts and comparisons with other states' housing policies, written by zoning expert Amy Dain and Boston Indicators staff.
Essays that explain public policy and institutions through an optimistic lens, covering topics like Sweden's welfare model, abundance and housing or zoning reform, and effective altruism. Readers get clearly argued, example-driven pieces that draw on interviews and cited research.
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