Social / Demographics

Project For Public Spaces Launches Initiative to Improve Marketplaces Worldwide
Project for Public Spaces' Market Cities Initiative seeks to understand and addresses challenges faced by the public marketplaces to improve market infrastructure and promote healthy food systems in local communities.

Contrasting the Coronavirus Impact in the Bay Area to New York City
Early intervention, or population density? NPR reporters based in the Bay Area and New York City offer explanations as to why the two regions are seeing such a wide contrast in experiences during the coronavirus outbreak.

Causes of the Pre-COVID Decline in Bus Ridership
Even before the effects fo the coronavirus pandemic drastically reduced ridership, transit riders were declining in cities across the country. The reasons for the downward trend were varied.

How Coronavirus Could Worsen the Racial Wealth Gap in the United States
The impact of coronavirus on unemployment and healthcare is predicted to affect black and Latinos at a disproportionate rate, raising questions about what can be done to ease the suffering and close the racial wealth divide in America.

Location Data Reveals Inequities of Coronavirus Response
More affluent people in the United States tended to stay at home sooner, and much more consistently, than low-income Americans according to location data tracked on mobile phones.

Stoops as a Respite in These Challenging Times
As New York City has shut down and people remain physically isolated, stoops provide spaces where residents can safely connect with others and the city itself.

Louisiana Municipalities Go Beyond 'Shelter in Place' with Curfews and Checkpoints
Four parishes and one town in Louisiana, which has the nation's highest COVID-19 per capita death rate, are implementing strict containment strategies that go well beyond the statewide stay at home order to reduce community spread.

Counties in Louisiana, Georgia Lead Nation in COVID Death Rate
All eyes are fixed on New York City, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak with its skyrocketing deaths, but the six counties with the highest number of coronavirus deaths per capita are in two Southern states as of April 1. Manhattan is #7.

How Coronavirus Has Transformed Italy's Urban Spaces
Italy has been hit hard by the pandemic, and slowing the spread of the virus has meant dramatic changes in urban life.

Straight Talk from White House Public Health Experts on What to Expect
The public got to view the models that caused the president on Monday to extend the White House Coronavirus Guideline for 30 days. Dr. Deborah Birx, who led the presentation, emphasized that success will come down to behavior to reduce fatalities.

Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing Promises Not Yet Fulfilled
The number of drive-through testing sites across the country is still low. With continued supply shortages, when and if the situation will change are unclear.

Suppression or Mitigation? The Language of Coronavirus Containment
A report from Imperial College London, viewed as the "gold standard" by British leaders, was instrumental in compelling the U.S. and the U.K. to enact stronger policies to contain COVID-19. But was it too late?

The Disruption of 'Safer at Home' for L.A.'s Unhoused
Alisa Orduña shares her insight on Santa Monica's COVID-19 response and the pandemic's disruption both on the lives of L.A.'s unhoused and the approach cities take towards crises of public health, safety, and wellbeing, going forward.

N.Y.C. Density and Spread of Coronavirus
The densest city in the country is struggling with the rapid spread of the virus, and close proximity is likely a primary factor.

President Extends Coronavirus Guidelines; No Packed Churches Expected on Easter
Shortly after the two health experts on his task force estimated that the COVID-19 death toll could reach 200,000 and that no metro area would be spared, President Trump announced on Sunday that he would extend the 15-day guidelines through April.

Trump Backs Off Plan to Quarantine New York–New Jersey Coronavirus Hotspot
After repeatedly stating on Saturday afternoon that he was considering a quarantine for New York, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut to contain the spread of COVID-19, President Trump tweeted a plan to issue a travel advisory.

Mississippi Governor First to Preempt Local Stay-at-Home Orders
As more governors order residents to stay at home and/or close nonessential businesses to contain the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Tate Reeves has gone the opposite direction by issuing an executive order that supersedes stricter local measures.

Predicting Hospital Capacity as the Coronavirus Spreads
An analysis of data about hospital capacity and possible infection trends shows that hospital facilities will be stretched thin even in the best-case scenario.

In Wyoming, Vast Open Spaces Meet Extreme Gaps Between Rich and Poor
The story of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, illustrates the class tensions that arise when an idealized vision of life close to nature butts up against the realities of wealth, privilege, and social inequality.

Op-Ed: The Importance of Equity in Transportation Planning
Transportation planners must address equity issues in their work and involve the people most affected by the planning and policymaking process.
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