Welcome to the 81st issue of Urbanism Now, our weekly newsletter curated with brief and insightful urban ideas from around the world to inspire action where you (c)are.
This newsletter is curated by Maria Paula Moreno Vivas and Ray Berger. Learn more on our About page.
Thank you for your interest and support. If you find this newsletter useful, please forward it to a friend!
Maria Paula is in Miami for the NeighborWorks Training Institute. If you’re also attending, let’s chat.
Let’s get started:
Cincinnati has launched a proactive Climate Migration Readiness Plan aiming to absorb up to 525,000 newcomers by 2050 through zoning reform, increased density, and expanded public transit. The infrastructure improvements are also designed to immediately benefit current residents by increasing housing supply and climate resilience.
The South Tower Community Land Trust in Fresno, California, acquired its first commercial property to provide an affordable storefront for indie bookstore Judging By The Cover, fostering community ownership and preventing displacement in the Tower District.
As Bay Area transit systems face service cuts, Newitz proposes diverting billions from the AI industry to public transportation to create a more productive, equitable and communally vibrant region, drawing on historical ambitions and international success stories.
San José State University is now making the BayPass (unlimited BART, Caltrain, bus and ferry access across the Bay Area) available to all students for $184.50 per semester starting Aug. 15, 2026. This is the kind of regional long term thinking that gets riders engaged with the transit system while they’re young.
LA Metro is expanding its One Car Challenge, inviting 2,000 households across LA County to earn up to $600 by parking one car for five weeks and exploring alternative transportation modes like transit, biking, or walking.
Videos, podcasts, books, and socials:
Hard Problems recommends a curated list of books for designers aiming to tackle global challenges like public health, climate change, and institutional reform, offering guidance for those looking to make a positive impact. I (Ray) am looking forward to reading Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman.
In a recent Sidewalk Ballet podcast, Former Santa Cruz mayor Don Lane undertakes a statewide tour to visit nearly 100 artisan ice cream shops, using the journey to celebrate local businesses and build community while raising funds for the Supporting Immigrants in Santa Cruz County Fund.
Not Just Bikes is back to show us how Singapore offers a masterclass in tropical urbanism through its extensive, climate-resilient pedestrian network and massive transit investment, though the city remains paradoxically shackled to car-centric infrastructure.
Brook Abebe created How to Read an African City, a diagnostic handbook based on field observations in Addis Ababa, advocating for understanding existing urban systems and community-built solutions before implementing new designs.
Jobs:
See all our new jobs at https://urbanismnow.com/jobs below are a select few.
U.S. Green Building Council is hiring a short-term research fellow to support a project focused on health-promoting design strategies in the built environment.
Spherical is hiring a communications design contractor for a six-month remote engagement to work on the design and production of “Neighbors: A Living Infrastructure Magazine” and various brand and marketing design projects. $100/hr salary. Apply by August 28.
Urbanarium is hiring a project manager to coordinate program delivery for Canada’s largest affordable housing competition series and Metro Vancouver urban discussions, focusing on actionable solutions for affordable living and climate change. $70k - $85k salary. Apply by August 24.
Events and deadlines:
She Should Run’s Local Leader Lab is a program empowering women to create local community impact by mapping power, building relationships and launching civic projects. The Fall 2026 cohort starts in September. Apply by Aug. 25.
What did you love? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.
As always, please share with a friend!
The Underline’s Brickell Backyard. By: Sam Oberter
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