Dylan Thuras explains the story behind an online compendium of weird and wondrous places, reflecting on the nature of exploration, discovery and wonder.

Lawrence Stelter discusses his book on the 3rd Avenue Elevated, which combines a rich archive of his father’s photography with a comprehensive understanding of New York’s public transit history.

Announcing the winner of the Unfinished Grid Essay Competition: a personal essay that blends family history with individual mobility to explore Manhattan’s built and natural environment.

Architect and educator Louise Harpman shares student work from NYU undergraduates whose visual representations of complex information make a case for creative “mapping” as a vital tool for researchers and designers.

The Pastor of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral shares the history of the iconic Soho church and reflects on his work in ministry, social work and affordable housing in the context of a constantly changing city.

Shin-pei Tsay describes how a group of volunteer urban planners collaborated to help local stakeholders argue for road safety improvements to Queens Boulevard and to redefine how planners can engage directly with communities.

Tyler Caruso and Erik Facteau explain their scientific study of the value of urban farms, an effort to produce hard data that can challenge nay-sayers and inform policies and regulations that support agriculture in the city.

The founder and the director of an organization that revitalizes neighborhoods by curating exhibitions in empty spaces discuss their process of transforming a Bronx landmark into a temporary venue for contemporary art.

Peter Syrett introduces Transparency, an online database of the health effects of building materials, and reflects on architectural responsibility, scientific uncertainty and buildings as instruments of public health.