The podcast episodes provided examine how different urban policies have been used to manage and address issues within cities, particularly in the context of Los Angeles and New York City.

For example, the '99% Invisible' episode discusses the 'containment plan' and zoning regulations implemented by the city of Los Angeles to address homelessness in the Skid Row neighborhood The Containment Plan (rebroadcast). The 'The Intelligence' episode from The Economist touches on the deployment of National Guard troops on New York City's subways as an urban security measure, as well as the passage of the controversial national security law in Hong Kong The Intelligence: Leave your umbrella at home.

These examples illustrate how urban policies can have significant impacts on the livability, equity, and security of cities.