DOJ joins lawsuit against Chicago for lack of accessible crosswalks

The U.S. Department of Justice has intervened in the lawsuit, as the city has installed only 15 accessible pedestrian signals at its 2,700 intersections with visual signals, risking the safety of visually impaired pedestrians. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated April 14, 2021

The key to landing smart city contracts lies with BIM

Building information management is transforming smart city construction and changing the way multidisciplinary project teams collaborate.

By Joe Muratore • Sept. 24, 2019

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

5 design trends that will shape future cityscapes

A new Gensler report anticipates how urban challenges like climate change, health care and airport traffic will influence future city designs. 

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 19, 2019

San Jose, CA to become largest US city to ban natural gas

If a final ordinance is approved, electric-only development will be required for most residential buildings, making way for increased EV infrastructure.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 19, 2019

California legislators approve statewide rent cap

Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill, which is considered a partial solution to the housing crisis.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 13, 2019

Georgia city explores its curiosity with 5G-enabled IoT 'sandbox'

Peachtree Corners, GA opened its Curiosity Lab this week with a ribbon-cutting drone, proving the site is as unique as its home city.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 13, 2019

'Mayors are angry': Puerto Rico cities lack federal funds for hurricane recovery

Federal funds are too slow to arrive, and local resiliency plans require money to begin implementation, Ponce Mayor María Meléndez told Smart Cities Dive. 

By Chris Teale • Sept. 11, 2019

Is smart glass a missed opportunity for the smart city?

Windows are the most obvious yet neglected aspect of connected buildings when it comes to making smarter living and working spaces.

By Craig Henricksen • Sept. 5, 2019

How universities are leading mass timber research

Despite buzz around its Toronto waterfront project, Sidewalk Labs isn't the first major group to work with mass timber in North America. 

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 4, 2019

Pittsburgh mayor introduces energy efficiency legislation

The proposal, requiring that new and upgraded government buildings be net-zero energy efficient, follows the city's first energy benchmarking report.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 4, 2019

Google parent Alphabet moves into infrastructure investing

Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners will launch alongside the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan to scale "technology-enabled" urban development.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 4, 2019

San Francisco expands free water station program

The initiative is partially funded through the city's soda tax and will reduce plastic waste by providing free, clean water in parks and schools.  

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 30, 2019

NYC doubles curbside rain gardens in green infrastructure program

The gardens trap rainwater to help prevent flooding and combined sewer overflows and also improve air quality and beautify neighborhoods.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 30, 2019

NYC research site holds big promise for wireless tech

Academics and technologists hope to use the West Harlem testbed to try new tech like IoT, millimeter wave spectrum and cloud computing at the edge. 

By Chris Teale • Aug. 27, 2019

Chicago buildings saved $74M from energy benchmarking: report

The city released its 2019 Energy Benchmarking report, finding participating buildings reduced emissions 15%, equal to removing 200,000 cars annually.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated April 8, 2021

How 'green' concrete can help cities fight climate change

The built environment produces over 40% of global CO2 emissions. U.S. mayors are taking the lead to cut emissions with CO2 mineralized concrete.

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 15, 2019

Multifunctional city parks can aid residents during earthquake recovery, study says

Researchers at a university in Canada explored how cities can use open spaces as community resource hubs after natural disasters.

By Kira Barrett • Aug. 14, 2019

Can gunshot detection technology mitigate mass shootings?

Security company ShotSpotter is bombarded by requests from fearful cities. But authorities question tech-based solutions.

By Kira Barrett • Aug. 13, 2019

Warren proposes $85B grant program to close digital divide

Broadband development grants would only go to utility cooperatives, non-profit organizations, tribes, cities, counties and other government groups. 

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 12, 2019

Appeals court ruling undercuts FCC's plan for speedy 5G rollout

A three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals’ D.C. Circuit said it cannot bypass historical and environmental reviews of small cell sites.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 12, 2019

Seattle mayor proposes heating oil tax to push electrification

Jenny Durkan said the 24 cents-per-gallon tax would cover rebates and grants to help 3,000 homes transition to electric power.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 9, 2019

Solar-powered digital message boards deployed in Boston

Soofa has installed 12 boards around the city under a 60-day pilot through Beta Blocks, which encourages community-led smart city innovation.

By Kira Barrett • Aug. 5, 2019

$7.5B smart 'mini-city' secures land on Las Vegas Boulevard

Bleutech Park's ambitious plans will feature a range of technologies including AVs, connected infrastructure and buildings with self-healing concrete.

By Jason Plautz • Updated Nov. 13, 2019

Sidewalk Labs is building a smart city entirely of mass timber. What could go wrong?

North America is on the cusp of a mass timber revolution, and Sidewalk Labs' Waterfront Toronto project is leading the way. But the smart material faces major obstacles.

By Kira Barrett • Aug. 5, 2019

Kansas City, MO's Smart Sewer Program cuts back-ups, overflows

Sensors and probes are detecting leaks and determining capacity as the city upgrades its sewer system — and the data shows it's working.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 2, 2019