Browse All Topics
Since City Limits began in 1976, New York City has seen five mayors, four governors and seven
presidents. Residents have witnessed the arrival of AIDS and the departure of factory jobs, the
creation of hundreds of thousands of units of affordable housing and the emergence of homelessness
as a major issue. The murder rate soared and then collapsed. The Hudson River got cleaner, the
transit system gained riders and the schools went through multiple waves of change. By chronicling
the news on housing, education, the economy, the environment and other topics, we've told the story
of the larger city. Click through these pages to learn more about the people, problems and policies
that shape New York.
Featured Topic
The Federal Poverty Line
The United States defines the poverty line as $18,000 per year for a family of three. By this measure, over 1.5 million New Yorkers, approximately 18 percent, live in poverty. City Limits provides on-going coverage of the root causes, policy reports, initiatives, and economic conditions that affect our nation's most vulnerable population.
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National
City Limits special coverage of Washington D.C., federal initiatives, and national urban policy.
Firefighter Fatalities
Ten years after September 11th, City Limits revisits the day's very costly lessons and what the New York City Fire Department has learned them. This investigation was supported generously by the Fund ... READ MORE»
Buy or Bust (War on Drugs)
Sean Gardiner's 2009 in-depth investigation on the 40-Year War on Drugs in New York City.
Drugs
Beginning in the 1970s under President Richard Nixon, the War on Drugs has fought dealers and addicts for four decades. Though originally focusing on big dealers and cartels, officials now arrest many... READ MORE»
Participatory Budgeting
Borrowing an experiment in direct democracy from Brazil, constituents in four City Council districts are getting a direct say in how $1 million of discretionary capital funding is spent.
Family Court
For children stuck in New York State's child welfare system, New York has one of the worst outcomes for re-uniting families, placing children in safer adoptive homes, and trying 16- and 17-year-old of... READ MORE»
Atlantic Yards
In a matter of months the Nets will be playing ball at the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic, as envisioned more than eight years ago by developer Bruce Ratner. British financial firm Barclays will pay ... READ MORE»
Civil Liberties
City Limits' 2008 investigation into the shift in residents' civic liberties and essential freedoms in New York City, following the 9/11 attacks.
Obesity
More than half of New York City's adults are overweight or obese and nearly 1 in 5 children. City Limits' covers food policy and initiatives that address this health issue.
Bill de Blasio
Bill de Blasio is New York City's third public advocate, and a current candidate running for mayor of the city as a Democrat. Prior to his position as public advocate, he served in the New York City C... READ MORE»
New York State
City Limits' coverage of New York State
Stop and Frisk Policy
No precinct saw more police stops in 2011 than the 75th Precinct in East New York, Brooklyn. Within that sprawling district, one seven-by-nine block area was the site of more police encounters than an... READ MORE»
Private Contractors
City Limits special investigation "Beyond City Time" reports that the past 10 years have seen a profound change not just in the amount New York City spends on outside contractors, but what they are b... READ MORE»
Budget
The way a city manages its money can have a colossal effect on the people living within it. In this section, City Limits explores the issues pertaining to New York City’s budget and the effects budget... READ MORE»
Gentrification
Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated ... READ MORE»
Energy Policy
The New York City Energy Policy Task Force is responsible for providing electricity to the homes, offices, and transportation systems that encompass the five boroughs. City offices and the housing aut... READ MORE»
NYPD
The New York Police Department is the largest police force in the United States. In recent years, City limits reporting has focused on issues related to the NYPD's use of security cameras and its stop... READ MORE»
Immigration
Despite the pride many Americans have for the country's diverse population, many immigrants continue to face exclusive challenges. Children face difficulties in finding proper READ MORE»
Jews and Judaism
New York City has a Jewish population of over 1 million people, making it one of the largest Jewish populations in the world. The population is comprised of both reform and Orthodox followers and the ... READ MORE»
SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS
Campaign Consultants
A handful of influential firms in New York State lobby elected officials while also serving as consultants for political campaigns, a practice that is perfectly legal but raises several ethical questi... READ MORE
Brooklyn Borough Presidency
If independent, Brooklyn would be the fourth-largest U.S. city, with a mayor to speak for its people. Instead, its spokesperson is a borough president. What has incumbent Marty Markowitz had to say? W... READ MORE
Beyond Promises: Bloomberg and Homelessness
In 2004, Mayor Bloomberg pledged a comprehensive effort to dramatically reduce homelessness in New York. Today, more people live in shelters than ever before. Figuring out the ways in which the plan s... READ MORE
PEOPLE
Raymond W. Kelly
Raymond W. Kelly is the current police commissioner for the New York Police Department. Kelly was appointed in 2002 by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to serve once again after representing the organization u... READ MORE
Veterans
New York City is home to a number of veterans who served in several wars throughout history. The New York Mayor's Office of Veteran Affairs strives to find housing and jobs for veterans once they retu... READ MORE
- Campaign Consultants
- Brooklyn Borough Presidency
- How To NYC
- Beyond Promises: Bloomberg and Homelessness
- Straphangers Speak
- hate crimes
- Broken Adoptions
- income inequality
- Latino
- Searching for El Primero: Latinos & the Mayoralty
- Campaign 2013
- The Class of 2013
- NYC in Congress
- Hurricane Sandy
- The Bronx Votes
Partners
CITY LIMITS EVENTS
Defining Brooklyn Launch
City Limits celebrates the launch of its March 2011 issue: Defining Brooklyn.The 35th Anniversary Celebration
City Limits celebrates its 35th Anniversary at BMCC in Tribeca.Brooklyn Bureau Launch
The Brooklyn Bureau launch as part of Social Media Week 2012.Tackling Poverty
The Tackling Poverty Series at Galapagos Art Space in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn.Tackling Poverty (Manhattan)
City Limits & the Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness
