Cityscape

Not so long ago, the name Alphabet City stirred up images of squatters, vacant lots, drug dealers, and burned-out buildings. These days the neighborhood's known for high-priced real estate, stylish bars, funky shopping, and the upwardly mobile.  On this week's Cityscape, we're taking an in-depth look at the past and present of the Manhattan neighborhood around Avenues A, B, C and D, from 14th Street to Houston Street.

Over the past few years, we've heard a lot of talk about the sorry state of the newspaper industry.  Much of the attention has been focused on big dailies.  But, what's the state of high school newspapers.  On this edition of Cityscape, we'll talk with the author of a new study on New York City's high school newspapers.  We'll also hear from the author of Off The Beaten (Subway) Track: New York City's Best Unusual Attractions.

It’s not uncommon for a teen-ager to experience growing pains.  But, a lot of them ride it out, sometimes with the help of their parents.  But, not all kids have a support system, and home is the last place they’ll turn to for help. On this week's Cityscape, we focus our attention on runaway and homeless youth in New York City.

They’re all around us…in our homes, in our places of work, in our backyards, and in the air…what are we talking about?  Insects.  On this week's Cityscape, we're exploring the world of bugs.  We'll talk with the author of a new book called Insectopedia, visit a Manhattan eatery that serves grasshoppers (and eat them too), talk with a Brooklyn artist who dabbles in insect photography and meet a pair of professional "insect-pinners" in SoHo.

Remember the decade that brought us Dallas and the DeLorean, Madonna and MTV, Cats, the Rubik's Cube and the fitness craze?  That’s right…you’re probably getting flashbacks of the 1980s!  On this week's Cityscape, we’re taking a look back at the 1980s – the fashion, the hair, the films and the music of that decade! 

John Lindsay’s tumultuous two terms as mayor of New York City were marked by strikes, racial divisions and fiscal problems.  And more than 40 years later, his legacy remains as mixed as ever.  On this week's Cityscape, we look back on the Lindsay era.  Our guests include New York Times Urban Affairs Correspondent, Sam Roberts and Tom Casciato, the Executive Producer of a new public television documentary called Fun City Revisited: The Lindsay Years.

If you live in New York City, it’s more than likely you’ve called the oft-dialed 3-1-1 to complain about whatever’s fraying your nerves.  On this week's Cityscape, we'll get a first hand look at the 3-1-1 call center in Lower Manhattan and talk with two call service representatives.  We'll also talk with a woman on the front lines in the fight against noise, the most common quality of life complaint in New York City.  And we'll chat with the author of the New York City Museum of Complaint, a collection of 132 letters written to the Mayor of New York between 1751 and 1969.

In the comics, Superman protects the fictitious city of Metropolis, which of course, bears a striking resemblance to New York. In  fact, a lot of comic book superheroes fight for justice in a city very much like New York -- or in New York itself.  Peter Parker – AKA – “your friendly neighborhood Spiderman” – hails from Queens. On this week's Cityscape, superheroes in NYC -- real and make-believe.

With so many diverse cultures and people in New York City, it’s no wonder there are so many extraordinary stories to tell. On this edition of Cityscape, some of our favorite segments from over the years.  This "best of" show coincides with WFUV's Spring Fund Drive.  Support the Cityscape podcast and WFUV by clicking the "contribute now" button at WFUV.org

On this week's Cityscape, a Manhattan resident talks candidly about being a recovering alcoholic.  Also this week, a preview of New York City's first gay boutique hotel slated to open in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen.