The smart city news that shaped 2020

Smart Cities Dive identified 20 stories detailing the prevalent and groundbreaking trends that influenced a year like no other.

Jan. 4, 2021

Building the drone highways of the sky

UAS corridors or "sky lanes" can facilitate transformational opportunities for cities. Yet the road to integrated drone operation poses a host of challenges. 

By Nathan Eddy • Dec. 22, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Seattle's $1B NHL venue to be first net-zero carbon arena

Mortenson is doubling the size of Climate Pledge Arena while keeping its original roof and facade in what the firm's vice president likens to "building a ship in a bottle."

By Zachary Phillips • Dec. 21, 2020

5 ways smart infrastructure shapes communities for the better

From improved transportation to data-driven decisions, smart cities are using technology to raise the bar for the world of tomorrow.

By Forrest Senti • Dec. 18, 2020

5G health concerns sow uncertainty amid ongoing rollout

While deployment continues unabated across the U.S., a small coalition of groups and leaders are trying to put the brakes on 5G in a bid to learn more about the technology.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 14, 2020

Green buildings 'unheralded hero' in emissions fight, experts say

President-elect Joe Biden's plan to boost energy efficiency in the sector promises to create up to one million jobs and mitigate the effects of climate change, elected officials said during a U.S. Green Building Council webinar. 

By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 2020

Cities play 'key role' in green COVID-19 recovery: report

The Rocky Mountain Institute and Bloomberg Philanthropies found local infrastructure projects and strong federal partners are significant in building a more resilient future.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 9, 2020

The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2020

In a year where cities and local officials had to weather unprecedented crises, the following awardees stood out for their bold leadership.

By Smart Cities Dive Team • Dec. 9, 2020

A preventative approach to pavement management

By focusing on preventative maintenance, local governments can unlock climate, economic and societal benefits while conserving time, money and manpower.

By Alison McGee & Samantha Stephan • Dec. 7, 2020

San Jose, Oakland join growing list of California cities to ban natural gas construction

These measures add to more than 40 California cities that have updated building electrification codes — yet a "controversial exemption" in San Jose could turn the tide.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 4, 2020

Pandemics have historically altered urban housing. COVID-19 will do the same.

Necessity is the mother of invention, and this pandemic has created a variety of new necessities for urban residents and their environments.

By Demetrios Barnes • Dec. 4, 2020

Smart streetlight market is 'ripe for consolidation': forecast

The market is expected to see $28.1 billion in total investment over the next decade, according to a new study from Northeast Group.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 3, 2020

Shopping to shelter: Abandoned mall sites welcome senior housing

A number of cities nationally are looking to "infill redevelopment" of vacant mall sites to bridge the growing housing gap for aging populations.

By Joan Mooney • Updated Dec. 4, 2020

Mississippi Power plans 'smart neighborhood' with Tesla Solar Roofs

The community of up to 150 homes will feature Tesla Powerwall batteries, smart home automation and other energy-efficient equipment and appliances. 

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 1, 2020

Top U.S. cities for women in construction

A recent breakdown of census data shows the areas with the highest share of women construction workers and their annual salaries.

By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 24, 2020

Airbnb stock more than doubles in IPO debut

The company started trading on Nasdaq at $146 a share on Thursday, weeks after it expressed confidence in a strong recovery from a pandemic-driven drop in profits. 

By Chris Teale • Updated Dec. 10, 2020

San Francisco's gas ban on new buildings could prompt statewide action

The vote adds San Francisco to the growing list of nearly 40 California cities to pass such ordinances since Berkeley's historic ban in July 2019. 

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 12, 2020

Seattle's $5.6M plan to address trash-collection woes

The "Clean Cities Initiative" aims to tackle an influx of trash in parks, particularly as they have become a refuge during the pandemic, according to Mayor Jenny Durkan.

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 9, 2020

Transforming our economically distressed cities: How construction is playing a vital role

See how cities across the country are stepping up to transform lives and communities.

Nov. 9, 2020

Mass timber reaches for new heights to unlock zero-carbon cities

Design firms are tapping mass timber to illustrate how eco-friendly material can be used to support a sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 4, 2020

REEF Technology raises $700M to support the 15-minute city

The mobility, logistics and neighborhood hub operator said the funding will help promote its efforts to connect people to goods and services without a car.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 4, 2020

NYC strengthens Climate Mobilization Act building requirements

Buildings with less than 35% of units under rent regulation will be required to comply with the act's emissions limits and not pass the costs to tenants, following a Thursday city council vote.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 30, 2020

COVID-19 could boost interest in smaller cities' real estate: ULI

Ninety-four percent of real estate experts said companies will allow employees to work remote at least partially, which could shrink office spaces to save costs.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 29, 2020

Disasters waiting to happen: 5 major infrastructure projects in need of repair

From aging dams and deteriorating tunnels to deficient bridges and lead-filled drinking water lines, the U.S. has plenty of work to do when it comes to the quality of its infrastructure.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 28, 2020

10 statewide ballot measures to watch: results

Of the 10 ballot initiatives identified last week as "measures to watch," only one — a rent control initiative in California — failed at the polls.

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Updated Nov. 4, 2020