5 focal points needed to develop a smart city

Given the pace at which new technology is overtaking social infrastructure, cities must "up their game" with a greater sense of focus and urgency. 

By Clint Vince and Jennifer Morrissey • June 18, 2020

California crafts pilot program to reduce building emissions

The Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development program will be rolled out in the second quarter of 2021, with the first two years of incentives reserved for developers of low-income residential housing. 

By Kavya Balaraman • June 16, 2020

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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

7 public data projects enhancing civic engagement

The Knight Foundation awarded $1 million to seven projects nationwide that work to hold governments accountable via creative uses of public data. 

By Cailin Crowe • June 11, 2020

Prop tech, property managers and the at-home workforce

Maintaining profitability and tenant satisfaction throughout the pandemic will require help from readily available property management technologies. 

By Brad Pilgrim • June 1, 2020

A sneak peek at San Francisco's new low-carbon neighborhood

The city unanimously approved plans to build a 29-acre sustainable, transportation-efficient community on the site of a former century-old fossil fuel power plant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 29, 2020

Powering EVs is cheaper than diesel, gas in most metro hubs

A report found powering electric vehicles could save fleet operators costs in 21 of the largest 25 U.S. cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

By Guy Burdick • May 28, 2020

Columbus, OH exceeds EV adoption goal

Local residents have purchased more than 3,300 electric vehicles over the past three years as part of its $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 27, 2020

Stay-at-home orders shine light on 'amplified' digital divide

Just as the Great Depression highlighted a need for ubiquitous electricity, advocates are urging leaders to seize COVID-19 as a turning point for ubiquitous internet.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

The 'new normal': City sectors confront post-coronavirus realities

With costs of the pandemic coming into focus as recovery efforts persist, Smart Cities Dive analyzed how leaders across various departments can use lessons from the COVID-19 crisis to rebuild.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Visionaries must step forward to advance water infrastructure

The current crisis has made clear that access to clean water is closely related to our ability to withstand shocks to the system. Building sustainable infrastructure should be a vision we can all get behind.

By Jon Freedman • May 26, 2020

Entering the age of community-built infrastructure

A public-private partnership backed by a program management office — or a P4 — can help cities achieve infrastructure and inclusion goals by integrating the perspective of community stakeholders.

By Lauren Gore • May 21, 2020

Blockchain-based renewables project in Los Angeles wins $9M state grant

An initiative in the San Gabriel Valley looks to provide affordable, locally produced energy to 28,000 residents in a disadvantaged community.

By Chris Teale • May 19, 2020

Cincinnati voters raise sales tax to fund public transit

Hamilton County residents voted for a .8% sales tax increase as part of a "historic" absentee election, improving bus service and chipping away at GHG emission reduction goals. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 15, 2020

St. Louis' building efficiency standards pave way for the Midwest

New legislation in St. Louis marks a major step forward in reducing building emissions, which make up for 80% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the city.

By Chris Teale • May 12, 2020

Sidewalk Labs drops Quayside project

CEO Daniel Doctoroff said the "unprecedented economic uncertainty" made it "too difficult" to continue work on the plan, but Waterfront Toronto assured its commitment to Quayside is still strong.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated May 7, 2020

3 steps for improving building resiliency post-coronavirus

There is an unprecedented opportunity to ditch the business-as-usual approach to commercial construction and redefine sustainable buildings.

By Casey Talon • May 7, 2020

Cities 'finally waking up' to the benefits of smart streetlights: survey

The Northeast Group found 59% of the largest U.S. cities are actively converting to LED streetlights, which could help lead to an $8.2 billion investment in smart street lighting over the next decade.

By Chris Teale • May 4, 2020

8 ways coronavirus is altering the construction industry

U.S. jobsites are reopening, but construction will not look the same as before the COVID-19 outbreak. Are cities ready for the paradigm shift?

By Jennifer Goodman • May 1, 2020

Office space occupancy may drop post-pandemic — and that's OK

COVID-19 has forced employers to adjust operations and expectations in a way that eliminates the remote work "stigma." If this is continued post-pandemic, cities could see major benefits.

By Adam Segal • April 30, 2020

Spin exec: The scooter industry will see a resurgence

Scooter companies were supposed to focus on becoming profitable in 2020. Spin Co-Founder Euwyn Poon explains how the pandemic shifted that focus. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 28, 2020

Chicago requires new building construction include EV charging capabilities

Advocates say the new ordinance makes the city a national leader in efforts to increase the adoption of emissions-free vehicles.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2020

Cities can leverage program management to drive smart solutions

Independent program management offices (PMOs)​ have the ability to break down the complexities of public-private partnerships and eliminate burdens on local governments.

By Lauren Gore • April 28, 2020

Transportation Electrification Partnership proposes $150B federal stimulus package

The proposal calls for investments in zero emission infrastructure, EV adoption, workforce development and other areas to build climate resilience amid COVID-19.

By Cailin Crowe • April 27, 2020

Spin unveils 'Build a Better Barrier Challenge' winners

The grand prize was given to "WeCLAIM," a design that uses reclaimed tires to build lane dividers filled with plants and grasses, in a bid to ensure clear separation of travel lanes.

By Chris Teale • Updated July 28, 2020

New Zealand to fund 'pop-up' bike lanes, sidewalk widening amid pandemic

The transportation minister has called on cities to apply for the funding, which will support tactical urbanism projects to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety.

By Cailin Crowe • April 16, 2020