Deep Dive: Page 5

Industry insights from our journalists


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    Danielle Ternes for CIO Dive
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    Cybersecurity risks spike as COVID-19 forces city staff to go remote

    Before the pandemic, the likelihood and scale of cyberattacks on local governments had been intensifying. Now, with most city employees on distributed devices at home, vulnerabilities are sky high.

    Chris Teale • April 6, 2020
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    Permission granted by KC Water
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    No wipes in the pipes: Coronavirus cleaning leads to spike in sewer clogs

    The use of disinfectant wipes is spiking as residents try to protect themselves from COVID-19. The result: clogged municipal wastewater systems and costly repairs. 

    Katie Pyzyk • April 1, 2020
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    Permission granted by Perkins and Will
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    Strategic design can help car-free streets gain popularity post-coronavirus

    Once-packed streets are now void of cars as residents stay home. While cities use this as a window into the possibilities of car-free streets, they must also consider forward-thinking design changes to prioritize people over cars.

    Jason Plautz • March 27, 2020
  • Attendees at the Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm, Sweden
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    Retrieved from Mikael Ullen on March 19, 2020
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    The US didn't sign a global road safety pact. Now advocates are fighting back

    A recent road safety conference in Stockholm seemingly lacked representation from the U.S. federal government. Young advocates were left wondering who is taking charge in eliminating road deaths.

    Chris Teale • March 24, 2020
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    Lyft
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    Will scooters survive the COVID-19 crisis?

    Firms step up disinfecting — and in some cases exit cities altogether to limit the spread of disease. But the disruption comes at a difficult time for the industry, blunting the typical spring rebound. 

    Jason Plautz • Updated March 20, 2020
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    The image by Piqsels is licensed under CC BY 1.0
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    COVID-19 may sport the thinnest silver lining: a cleaner climate

    There is evidence of declining carbon emissions and improved air quality as societies lock down. Experts say potential stimulus funding could present an opportunity to perpetuate these changes.

    Chris Teale • March 19, 2020
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    Adeline Kon/Smart Cities Dive
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    Cities can't afford to overlook libraries in the census

    One billion dollars is at stake for the trusted institutions, however much of their work with cities and the U.S. Census Bureau is going unfunded.

    Cailin Crowe • March 9, 2020
  • Census count homeless soup kitchen
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    Adeline Kon/Smart Cities Dive
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    Fear is a main barrier in counting homeless populations

    The census has long yielded an undercount of people experiencing homelessness. This year's count might not be any different.

    Cailin Crowe • March 9, 2020
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    Danielle Ternes/Smart Cities Dive
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    The first majority-online census raises novel concerns

    Responses to this year's census will be primarily issued online, though some are worried privacy and the digital divide will depress turnout.

    Chris Teale • March 9, 2020
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    Danielle Ternes/Smart Cities Dive
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    How census data will impact $1.5 trillion in funds

    To receive the appropriate allocation of federal funds, local governments are investing millions in recording an accurate count.

    Chris Teale • March 9, 2020
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    Kendall Davis/Smart Cities Dive
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    Tracking the impact of coronavirus on US cities

    President Biden has urged states to make every adult eligible to receive a vaccination by May 1 and said a return to normalcy could happen by July 4.  

    Nami Sumida • Updated March 12, 2021
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    Brian Tucker/Smart Cities Dive with assets from AlfazetChronicles via Getty Images/Smart Cities Dive
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    Who will pay for Kansas City, MO's free transit?

    All eyes are on Kansas City as the "fare-free" transit trend has piqued curiosity. Yet there won't be an initiative to watch if the city's transit agency can't secure funding.

    Kristin Musulin • March 4, 2020
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    Flickr
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    Police tech can foster (or foil) public trust

    While some police departments work to squash skepticism around tools like facial recognition, others are adopting new tech to gauge public sentiment.

    Amanda Loudin • March 3, 2020
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    Getty Images
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    Outpacing an outbreak: How tech helps cities handle public health threats

    AI, analytics and drones are among the technologies used to respond to health crises like coronavirus, though regulatory and privacy concerns have posed obstacles for cities.

    Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 20, 2020
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    Adeline Kon/Industry Dive
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    How hyperloop could stand apart from existing transit modes

    Hyperloop has the potential to naturally compete in the marketplace while offering something new — as long as companies can overcome regulatory and financing challenges.

    Chris Teale • Feb. 12, 2020
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    Kendall Davis
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    The 2028 Olympics has sparked a transportation revamp in LA

    When hundreds of thousands of visitors descend on Los Angeles for the Games, the city hopes they will be met with swift, accommodating and clean transportation.

    Chris Teale • Feb. 3, 2020
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    Photo illustration by Brian Tucker / photo by rclassenlayouts via Getty Images
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    The cost and confusion of cleaning PFAS contamination

    A lack of federal regulations has left cities scrambling to understand the health risks of PFAS and the most cost-effective ways to get it out of drinking water.

    Kristin Musulin • Jan. 29, 2020
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    Credit: Adeline Kon / Smart Cities Dive
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    The library is a smart city's 'hub for digital intelligence'

    As one of the most trusted spaces and sources of information, libraries are playing an increasingly important role in smart city initiatives.  

    Cailin Crowe • Jan. 27, 2020
  • NYC's roofs are getting a sustainable makeover

    It's been two months since New York's Sustainable Roof Laws, part of the Climate Mobilization Act, took effect. Now architects and officials must decide: Are green roof systems or solar systems best?

    Cailley LaPara • Jan. 22, 2020
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    Danielle Tiernes/Industry Dive
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    The impact of national ride-hailing regulations: Labor

    Ride-hailing companies' reliance on independent contractors could be under threat, though they argue the work model helps drivers retain flexibility.

    Chris Teale • Dec. 19, 2019
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    Danielle Tiernes/Industry Dive
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    The impact of national ride-hailing regulations: Safety

    Incidents of sexual assault and violence have brought renewed scrutiny to ride-hailing, which could lead to bolstered background checks or fingerprinting.

    Chris Teale • Dec. 18, 2019
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    Chris Teale
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    Are flying cars close? Leaders say yes, but doubts linger

    While uncertainty swirls around issues of infrastructure, safety and regulations, industry leaders say eVTOLs are on track to launch soon.

    Chris Teale • Nov. 25, 2019
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    Adeline Kon / Waste Dive
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    Electric trucks may be the future, but waste and recycling market still charging up

    Looking to move away from diesel and meet climate goals, a growing number of service providers are testing out models from coast to coast. 

    Mary Catherine O'Connor • Nov. 22, 2019
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    Catherine Morehouse, Utility Dive
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    Road to 100: How one man's mission to power his hometown by wind created a Northwest Missouri boon

    The town of 1,200 was the first in the country to be able to power all of its electricity from wind resources. Now, the county is booming in wind production.

    Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 22, 2019
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    Heather Craig / Survival Media Agency
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    Are climate emergency declarations the new normal?

    As cities wrestle with the urgent need to deal with the climate crisis, advocates say the declarations could be "coming to your city as a demand soon."

    Chris Teale • Nov. 4, 2019