Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
@thefoxandthecity.com
The world-famous urban theorist who…wait, this has to be honest‽
Independent Professional Urbanist and Writer, creating in-depth critiques of urban spaces, places, & systems.
My work:
thefoxandthecity.com
Also ED @etany.org
She/her
Independent Professional Urbanist and Writer, creating in-depth critiques of urban spaces, places, & systems.
My work:
thefoxandthecity.com
Also ED @etany.org
She/her
Pinned
Urbanism as a Field of Study | The Fox and the City
For all the attention urbanism has gotten over recent years, the study of cities for their own sake has often languished—and might even risk being defined out of existence. With apologies to Louis Wir...
tinyurl.com
For all the attention urbanism has gotten in recent years, urbanism as a field of study has often languished.
In my latest essay, I seek to define urbanism, explore what makes it different, and correct misconceptions about what it's not.
thefoxandthecity.com/articles/urb...
In my latest essay, I seek to define urbanism, explore what makes it different, and correct misconceptions about what it's not.
thefoxandthecity.com/articles/urb...
Lifestyle Activity Center
December 9, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Lifestyle Activity Center
Knowing Ed Bacon he probably also wanted to build a highway along the riverfront.
I mean, how else would anyone get to Parliament Hill?
I mean, how else would anyone get to Parliament Hill?
Kevin Bacon's dad took photos of Ottawa
Bacon was a admirer of Parliament Hill’s gothic architecture, calling it “one of the finest expressions of Victorian exuberance in the world.” During his early December stay at the Chateau Laurier, he took many snowy pictures of the buildings. You can view them here: www.flickr.com/photos/ed_ba...
December 9, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Knowing Ed Bacon he probably also wanted to build a highway along the riverfront.
I mean, how else would anyone get to Parliament Hill?
I mean, how else would anyone get to Parliament Hill?
Dadaist performance art arguing for three-person train operation.
Conductor on my 3 train apparently said ‘someone is pretending to be a conductor on this train and there will be a slight delay while we investigate that’
December 9, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Dadaist performance art arguing for three-person train operation.
Reposted by Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
In a baffling and unacceptable move, the MTA announced that its purchase of 378 new R268 subway cars will not include walk-through open-gangway trains.
As ETA's Blair Lorenzo explained to Streetsblog, walk-through trains are the global standard for good reason.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/09/m...
As ETA's Blair Lorenzo explained to Streetsblog, walk-through trains are the global standard for good reason.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/09/m...
December 9, 2025 at 11:16 PM
In a baffling and unacceptable move, the MTA announced that its purchase of 378 new R268 subway cars will not include walk-through open-gangway trains.
As ETA's Blair Lorenzo explained to Streetsblog, walk-through trains are the global standard for good reason.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/09/m...
As ETA's Blair Lorenzo explained to Streetsblog, walk-through trains are the global standard for good reason.
nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/12/09/m...
Holy crap, there's a name I didn't expect to see!
Breaking News: Kathryn Garcia, a top aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul, is expected to be named the next executive director of the Port Authority.
Kathryn Garcia Expected to Be Named New Head of the Port Authority
Ms. Garcia, who ran for mayor of New York in 2021 after serving as the city’s sanitation commissioner, would succeed Rick Cotton, who is retiring.
nyti.ms
December 9, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Holy crap, there's a name I didn't expect to see!
There's another bad bill?
Actually, I'm not sure this one is as bad as it seems because it requires employees to be on the clock and in an agency vehicle.
Still, MTA personnel, of all people, should know the importance of bus lanes and that they shouldn't be blocked.
Actually, I'm not sure this one is as bad as it seems because it requires employees to be on the clock and in an agency vehicle.
Still, MTA personnel, of all people, should know the importance of bus lanes and that they shouldn't be blocked.
Gov Hochul should veto S6815/A8292 – giving MTA workers an automatic defense for bus-lane violations meddles in NYC and MTA management and could encourage misuse of agency vehicles.
buff.ly/P1MqL0D
buff.ly/P1MqL0D
Reinvent Albany Urges Governor to Veto Bus Lane Enforcement Carve-Out for MTA Workers - Reinvent Albany
MEMO OF OPPOSITION S6815 (Comrie) / A8292 (Cunningham) No Bus Lane Enforcement Carve-Outs! TITLE OF BILL An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to an affirmative defense for bus…
buff.ly
December 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
There's another bad bill?
Actually, I'm not sure this one is as bad as it seems because it requires employees to be on the clock and in an agency vehicle.
Still, MTA personnel, of all people, should know the importance of bus lanes and that they shouldn't be blocked.
Actually, I'm not sure this one is as bad as it seems because it requires employees to be on the clock and in an agency vehicle.
Still, MTA personnel, of all people, should know the importance of bus lanes and that they shouldn't be blocked.
The side-effects of "age verification": I was just posting to @etany.org's official account and could not proceed until I added a "birthday."
While I get it, organizations don't have birthdays—well, at least not in the sense that you're looking for, Bluesky.
While I get it, organizations don't have birthdays—well, at least not in the sense that you're looking for, Bluesky.
December 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The side-effects of "age verification": I was just posting to @etany.org's official account and could not proceed until I added a "birthday."
While I get it, organizations don't have birthdays—well, at least not in the sense that you're looking for, Bluesky.
While I get it, organizations don't have birthdays—well, at least not in the sense that you're looking for, Bluesky.
There is simply no excuse for the MTA to not be ordering walk-through open gangway trains anymore, and the fact that they are so reticent is baffling.
Always great to talk to @davecolon.bsky.social
Always great to talk to @davecolon.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 6:00 PM
There is simply no excuse for the MTA to not be ordering walk-through open gangway trains anymore, and the fact that they are so reticent is baffling.
Always great to talk to @davecolon.bsky.social
Always great to talk to @davecolon.bsky.social
New Metro-North Charger locomotive in Grand Central... on the wrong side of the train!?
December 8, 2025 at 11:46 PM
New Metro-North Charger locomotive in Grand Central... on the wrong side of the train!?
Urban animals ride transit.
December 8, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Urban animals ride transit.
Love this welding mask I caught on the train. You don't see enough woman ironworkers.
December 8, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Love this welding mask I caught on the train. You don't see enough woman ironworkers.
This does bring up a good question. This type of journalism is easy to do, but does it only serve to give the impression of a bigger freak out than actually exists?
Yes, people don't like change, you will always find strong voices. Do they actually indicate anything bigger, however?
Yes, people don't like change, you will always find strong voices. Do they actually indicate anything bigger, however?
If you set out to find a bunch of people overreacting to something everyone will adjust to in a matter of days (if not hours), you get this silly article.
gothamist.com/news/fear-an...
gothamist.com/news/fear-an...
December 8, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This does bring up a good question. This type of journalism is easy to do, but does it only serve to give the impression of a bigger freak out than actually exists?
Yes, people don't like change, you will always find strong voices. Do they actually indicate anything bigger, however?
Yes, people don't like change, you will always find strong voices. Do they actually indicate anything bigger, however?
Reposted by Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
This morning, the MTA swapped the F/M trains at 8 stations in Manhattan & Queens. This is an example of "deinterlining," a technique which improves the frequency & reliability of subway service.
Read ETA on why deinterlining is so valuable & where else it can be used:
www.etany.org/statements/d...
Read ETA on why deinterlining is so valuable & where else it can be used:
www.etany.org/statements/d...
Deinterlining: Simpler Service, Fewer Delays — Effective Transit Alliance New York
Deinterlining simplifies subway operations, allowing for more trains to travel more quickly, and prevents delays from spreading. It's the correct solution for both riders and operations.
www.etany.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:11 PM
This morning, the MTA swapped the F/M trains at 8 stations in Manhattan & Queens. This is an example of "deinterlining," a technique which improves the frequency & reliability of subway service.
Read ETA on why deinterlining is so valuable & where else it can be used:
www.etany.org/statements/d...
Read ETA on why deinterlining is so valuable & where else it can be used:
www.etany.org/statements/d...
And yet, our subway is littered with "important announcement" PSAs from the NYPD about watching your phone and not putting your wallet in your back pocket.
Those announcements only scream, "This place is unsafe!" when it couldn't be further from the truth.
Those announcements only scream, "This place is unsafe!" when it couldn't be further from the truth.
Like once a week I see someone on the subway with, like, a $10,000 Leica hanging around their neck or an Hermes shopping bag on their arm and I am continually amazed by how difficult it is to get robbed in this city
New York City went 12 days without a murder in November / December. That's tied for the longest stretch in history, according to the NYPD. As someone who was here when there were 6+ murders per day in this town, it continues to amaze me how safe the place is.
December 8, 2025 at 5:51 PM
And yet, our subway is littered with "important announcement" PSAs from the NYPD about watching your phone and not putting your wallet in your back pocket.
Those announcements only scream, "This place is unsafe!" when it couldn't be further from the truth.
Those announcements only scream, "This place is unsafe!" when it couldn't be further from the truth.
Oh god the optical illusion of this image.
"We couldn't decide if we wanted conventional rail or a maglev, so we went halfway."
"We couldn't decide if we wanted conventional rail or a maglev, so we went halfway."
Parting Perth transit thoughts:
Somehow actually really good overall? Frequent trains, less-slow-than-typical-in-Australia busses, and …
Somehow actually really good overall? Frequent trains, less-slow-than-typical-in-Australia busses, and …
December 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Oh god the optical illusion of this image.
"We couldn't decide if we wanted conventional rail or a maglev, so we went halfway."
"We couldn't decide if we wanted conventional rail or a maglev, so we went halfway."
Oooooof. Now that's a burn.
December 8, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Oooooof. Now that's a burn.
😍😍😍🦊
Absolutely amazing. Great work, everyone!
Absolutely amazing. Great work, everyone!
They got a cool festive signage for the holiday train and an old subway token as the line symbol!
December 7, 2025 at 5:34 PM
😍😍😍🦊
Absolutely amazing. Great work, everyone!
Absolutely amazing. Great work, everyone!
Reposted by Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
No one is talking about how you can buy an inflatable metro pylon for $150
December 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
No one is talking about how you can buy an inflatable metro pylon for $150
Reposted by Blair Lorenzo / The Fox and the City
A bill like this is an affront to good transit planning.
Rules like bus lane enforcement exist to keep transit riders—the clear majority of New Yorkers—moving.
No neighborhood should have an exemption to transit rules.
Rules like bus lane enforcement exist to keep transit riders—the clear majority of New Yorkers—moving.
No neighborhood should have an exemption to transit rules.
Gov Hochul should VETO the bill that carves out Co-op City from bus lane enforcement.
It slows buses and worsens pollution. The state Legislature should not be getting involved in local transit decisions.
buff.ly/01VdEUW
It slows buses and worsens pollution. The state Legislature should not be getting involved in local transit decisions.
buff.ly/01VdEUW
December 5, 2025 at 9:46 PM
A bill like this is an affront to good transit planning.
Rules like bus lane enforcement exist to keep transit riders—the clear majority of New Yorkers—moving.
No neighborhood should have an exemption to transit rules.
Rules like bus lane enforcement exist to keep transit riders—the clear majority of New Yorkers—moving.
No neighborhood should have an exemption to transit rules.
Today my dentist told me I have a small mouth, so I don't want to hear anything from any of you!
December 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Today my dentist told me I have a small mouth, so I don't want to hear anything from any of you!
Great piece by @chittimarco.bsky.social on the proper role of trams in cities and how to evaluate them.
I particularly appreciate his very clear typology that I think helps make systems more or less comparable.
marcochitti.substack.com/p/build-tram...
I particularly appreciate his very clear typology that I think helps make systems more or less comparable.
marcochitti.substack.com/p/build-tram...
December 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Great piece by @chittimarco.bsky.social on the proper role of trams in cities and how to evaluate them.
I particularly appreciate his very clear typology that I think helps make systems more or less comparable.
marcochitti.substack.com/p/build-tram...
I particularly appreciate his very clear typology that I think helps make systems more or less comparable.
marcochitti.substack.com/p/build-tram...
Holy crap, I had no idea this was a name thing that had passed.
I'm going to assume this also snuck through at the end of the session, although I can't see how anyone could vote for it in good faith.
I'm going to assume this also snuck through at the end of the session, although I can't see how anyone could vote for it in good faith.
Gov Hochul should VETO the bill that carves out Co-op City from bus lane enforcement.
It slows buses and worsens pollution. The state Legislature should not be getting involved in local transit decisions.
buff.ly/01VdEUW
It slows buses and worsens pollution. The state Legislature should not be getting involved in local transit decisions.
buff.ly/01VdEUW
December 4, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Holy crap, I had no idea this was a name thing that had passed.
I'm going to assume this also snuck through at the end of the session, although I can't see how anyone could vote for it in good faith.
I'm going to assume this also snuck through at the end of the session, although I can't see how anyone could vote for it in good faith.
Is there any greater indignity than trying to type emails/messages/posts on your phone when you have a bandage on your thumb?
Intolerable.
Intolerable.
December 4, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Is there any greater indignity than trying to type emails/messages/posts on your phone when you have a bandage on your thumb?
Intolerable.
Intolerable.
I know some people will disagree, but I have deep qualms about fully shutting major stations for long periods of time, especially major transfer points.
Repairs/renovations may need to be done, but this is also they type of thing that can cause people not to trust transit.
Repairs/renovations may need to be done, but this is also they type of thing that can cause people not to trust transit.
The CTA's State/Lake Loop elevated station — one of the busiest in the transit system — will close Jan. 5 for demolition and reconstruction.
https://to.wttw.com/4iWPln3
https://to.wttw.com/4iWPln3
December 4, 2025 at 9:47 PM
I know some people will disagree, but I have deep qualms about fully shutting major stations for long periods of time, especially major transfer points.
Repairs/renovations may need to be done, but this is also they type of thing that can cause people not to trust transit.
Repairs/renovations may need to be done, but this is also they type of thing that can cause people not to trust transit.
One of the most damaging, braindead decisions in US urban history—especially given just how long the deal is.
Giving up control of curb space alone should've been a nonstarter. Doing it for pennies on the dollar is even worse.
Giving up control of curb space alone should've been a nonstarter. Doing it for pennies on the dollar is even worse.
Today in Chicago History: Mayor Richard M. Daley strikes lopsided parking meter deal
Today in Chicago History: Mayor Richard M. Daley strikes lopsided parking meter deal
Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Dec. 4, according to the Tribune’s archives.
trib.al
December 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM
One of the most damaging, braindead decisions in US urban history—especially given just how long the deal is.
Giving up control of curb space alone should've been a nonstarter. Doing it for pennies on the dollar is even worse.
Giving up control of curb space alone should've been a nonstarter. Doing it for pennies on the dollar is even worse.