I am Sam Newberg. Joe Urban is a nickname given to me by a colleague one day when I was giving him an animated lecture on the virtues of urbanism. “You’re just Joe Urban,” he said, probably in an effort to end the conversation.

The nickname stuck. I like to say Joe Urban is my alter-ego, in some superhero sort of way.

Through posts on this website and the various parts of my professional life, I seek to help others better understand cities.

Please take the time to browse this site, and feel free to contact me with whatever is on your urban mind.