#47: San Francisco Food Lawsuit, Bogotá Transport Politics, and Corporate Rent Hikes

Welcome to the 47th 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:

• As cities keep taking strong roles in society, San Francisco filed the first government lawsuit in the U.S. against 10 major food corporations, seeking damages for the public health costs associated with their ultraprocessed products and alleging deceptive marketing.

• Denver’s Tierra Colectiva community land trust is developing a 170-unit mixed-use project with a library and commercial space, showing how residents can shape and own development at a scale once reserved for private developers.

• New research analyzes transport politics in Bogotá’s Seventh Avenue through “critical moments,” revealing how excluding citizens’ political actions can undermine transport justice for all, even when progressive agendas are pursued.

• A program in Ulster County, New York, is tackling the affordable housing crisis by matching homeowners with spare rooms to people seeking housing. HomeShare Ulster County uses a detailed vetting process to facilitate safe, affordable, and supportive living arrangements.

• A new study finds corporations own nearly 9% of residential land across 500 U.S. counties, leading to faster rent hikes and higher eviction rates. The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy report notes that corporate ownership exceeds 20% in some communities.

Videos, podcasts, books, and socials:

• A recent 99PI Podcast discusses how the TV show Sesame Street has been teaching children about urbanism through its set design.

• BART’s GM Bob Powers launched ‘Managers Riding Trains’ to address criticism that leadership doesn’t engage with the system. Top managers now regularly ride trains to understand rider/employee challenges firsthand, improving accountability, communication, and service conditions.

• Why Bhutan is Building the Anti-Dubai

Jobs:

• The Institute for Urban Excellence is seeking a Junior Project Assistant to support research on soil-inclusive planning and communication activities in The Hague. €2,399.92 gross salary. Apply by December 14.

• The University of Stavanger is hiring a PhD fellow to research urban morphology, accessibility and mobility cultures in Norway. ~$50k salary. Apply by January 4.

• Applications for the NYC Urban Fellows Program are now open. The program offers a nine-month fellowship combining hands-on work in mayoral

...