#35: Discord Elections, Amsterdam Speed Limits, and African City Land Values

Welcome to the 35th 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!

Let's get started:

• Amsterdam proves 30 km/h speed limits work with hard data: 11% fewer accidents, 15% drop in cyclist/pedestrian injuries, and reduced traffic noise after two years of implementation across 80% of city streets.

• New York's congestion pricing shows 17.6 million fewer vehicles entered Manhattan in 2025, with crashes down 14% and transit ridership up significantly since the $9 toll launched.

• Jazzie's Place breaks barriers again, expanding from 28 to 72 beds after proving that America's first LGBTQ-only adult homeless shelter fills a critical gap in San Francisco's housing safety net.

• African cities challenge Western land value assumptions as new research reveals private infrastructure and customary tenure drive property values more than public investment.

• A Reddit cartographer created an interactive map that shows all of the transit stops in California and areas within a half-mile that will be affected by SB 79, a landmark housing bill that allows for dense housing developments up to nine stories near transit hubs.

• A bit outside the urban realm, the youth in Nepal successfully ousted the government following protests against a social media ban and used a Discord server to elect an interim prime minister. Urban social movements are changing to meet the expectations of the digital native generation.

Videos, podcasts, books, and socials:

• The world's shortest international railway, a 100-meter line between the Czech Republic and Germany, serves as a symbolic link to rekindle cross-border connections.

Jobs:

• The City of Sanford, FL, is hiring a community development block grant program manager to plan and administer federal housing programs. $76k - $114k salary. Apply by September 18.

• A Next City webinar will explore how cities like Atlanta, Boston, Seattle and Baltimore are embedding cultural approaches into urban planning, policy and recovery efforts. September 23.

• Dr. Wojciech Kębłowski is seeking doctoral candidates interested in working at The University of Hong Kong. Apply by September 31.

• Practice, a human-centered design firm focused on creating diverse and equitable urban environments, is hiring

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