The National League of Cities (NLC) has published an analysis of mayoral speeches from various U.S. cities, along with Census data and resident sentiments, in the latest edition of the annual “State of the Cities” report.
Despite historic investments by the federal government in recent years, U.S. mayors say they are most concerned about infrastructure in their cities. Public safety and housing, topics that dominate the headlines, bring up the rear on the list.
The “State of the Cities 2023” report lists the concerns of mayors in this order: 1) Infrastructure, 2) budget and management, 3) public safety, 4) economic development, and 5) housing.
The NLC reports that mayors consider infrastructure a top concern for the economic and social wellbeing of residents, and due to the encroaching realities of climate change. No explanation is offered about why housing is at the end of the list of priorities, given its ever-present concern related to homelessness, evictions, and institutional investors buying up larger shares of the market.
The entire report is available at the webpage linked below.
FULL STORY: State of the Cities 2023
State of the Cities 2019
The National League of Cities has released their annual analysis of the top issues mayors are talking about in the United States.
State of the Cities: Mayors Focused on Infrastructure, Economic Development
Mayors around the country are pledging to bolster infrastructure projects with new federal funding, generate economic growth, and support the most vulnerable residents.
When 160 Mayors Talk About the State of the City
An annual report aggregates the State of the City speeches of mayors all over the country.
Plan to Potentially Remove Downtown Milwaukee’s Interstate Faces Public Scrutiny
The public is weighing in on a suite of options for repairing, replacing, or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee.
‘Forward Together’ Bus System Redesign Rolling Out in Portland
Portland is redesigning its bus system to respond to the changing patterns of the post-pandemic world—with twin goals of increasing ridership and improving equity.
Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?
New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?
700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah
A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.
More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus
Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.
Air Pollution World’s Worst Public Health Threat, Report Says
Air pollution is more likely to take years life off the lifespan of the average human than any other external factor, according to a recent report out of the University of Chicago.
Placer County
City of Morganton
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Indiana Borough
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.
