In case you missed it: this week’s good reads about Pennsylvania’s urban issues

Here’s a list of recommended reading for your weekend:

In anticipation of the holidays, let’s keep it simple this week.

Immigration

Pennsylvania’s immigrants number fewer than the national average… but cities like Philly and Pittsburgh are hoping to change that.

Related: Vox gives a visual argument that immigrants are Middle America’s “best hope.”

Money

Some counties are losing hundreds of millions of dollars because non-profits are exempt from property taxes.

Sobering news from The Washington Post: median household income peaked at least 15 years ago in 81 percent of U.S. counties.

WESA reports grants are one way cities can pursue quality-of-life projects when money is tight. (And here’s an example of a grant at work.)

Governor Tom Wolf sounds the alarm that Pennsylvania’s financial picture looks grim.

Pittsburgh’s planning commission backs legislation requiring housing developers using public money or land to ensure that 30 percent of developed units are affordable (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

Changing cities

“How did a once-bustling downtown Hanover become a shell of its former self?” Here’s a look at The Evening Sun’s series on Hanover, Pa.

Next City asks readers to submit images of their changing city (today is the final day to contribute).

“We use art to combat the dark side of capitalism”: two art projects centered on the old steel town of Braddock.

Urban tech

Reading is “putting it all out there.” That is, city records will now be available online.

Next City takes a look at how scientists, developers, and super-computers can work together in urban design.

Etc.

What The Goldfinch tell us about urban issues (and more): the latest in our Five Questions series.

City Lab asks: “Are Velodromes the future of city sports?” (Wait, what’s a velodrome?)

New York just banned fracking. NPR reports Pennsylvania doesn’t mind.

The world’s tallest ghetto and what it means for Venezuela’s future.

Dubious Christmas present: the York school district ruling will likely be announced next week.