Transportation and public health ‘need to be working in collaboration with each other’

Transportation decisions that affect public health shouldn't be made in isolation, a former CDC official says.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 15, 2024

Boston area transit agency to offer half-price fares for low-income riders

Up to 60,000 riders could be eligible for the program, which has the potential to increase ridership 30% among that group, the MBTA says.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 13, 2024

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

Boston’s first networked geothermal project will electrify 7 public housing buildings

Geothermal systems are a promising approach to transitioning communities off fossil fuels for heating and cooling, experts say.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 9, 2024

Neighborhood-scale building decarbonization: 2 approaches

Relying on the replacement of one appliance at a time isn’t enough to meet federal and state climate goals, said the Building Decarbonization Coalition’s executive director. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 6, 2024

Chicago commuter rail begins reduced-fare program for low-income riders

The new 18-month pilot program is open to all recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the six-county region served by the commuter rail operator, Metra.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 2, 2024

US cities’ outlook for 2024

Cities are pushing ahead on innovative bids to build more sustainable, safe and equitable communities, but many of the roadblocks they face likely aren't going anywhere.

By Smart Cities Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024

Extreme heat watch: Will cities be ready for summer 2024?

This year could be even hotter than last year’s record-breaker, some scientists say. Cities are using the winter to prepare.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 31, 2024

NOAA releases high-resolution land cover data to boost coastal climate resilience efforts

The new data is 900 times more detailed than what the agency previously provided. Local leaders have asked for such data for years, but it is often prohibitively expensive, NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 26, 2024

Federal lawmaker seeks funds for USDA grocery-access program

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced a bill that would require the government to provide $50 million per year to a program that incentivizes grocers to bring stores to underserved areas.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 24, 2024

Mayors urge Congress to fund broadband access program for low-income households

The Affordable Connectivity Program, which lessens the burden of internet bills for nearly 23 million households, will run out of funds this spring if it does not receive further congressional appropriations.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Jan. 24, 2024

More heavy rainfall, flooding prompt NYC to create innovation working groups

Stakeholders will meet for six months to inform existing efforts and come up with new ideas as the city faces a comptroller investigation into its heavy rainfall management.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 22, 2024

FEMA overhauls disaster aid to help survivors recover faster

The reforms announced Friday mark the most significant update to survivor assistance in 20 years, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said. However, “implementation will be key,” one expert said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 19, 2024

6 trends that could shape US cities in 2024

Cities will contend with a shifting transportation picture, increased urgency to act on climate change, and innovative policies and technologies to address longstanding concerns.

By Ysabelle Kempe , Dan Zukowski , Rachel H. Pollack • Jan. 17, 2024

What could FEMA’s new disaster resilience zones mean for communities?

The program could be a “major inflection point in U.S. climate and disaster policy,” according to Urban Institute researchers, but the investment could also spur “green gentrification.”

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 16, 2024

Delivery has a pollution problem. These cities are working to address it.

A new initiative will help cities test innovative startup and corporate solutions in a bid to curb ballooning emissions, primarily from trucks.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 12, 2024

Outdoor workers at risk even on ‘cooler’ summer days, study finds

Researchers found that laborers came to work dehydrated and had elevated core temperatures even under moderate conditions.

By Zachary Phillips • Jan. 10, 2024

Labor Department’s new rule redefines independent contractors

The rule will make it harder for companies to treat workers as independent contractors rather than employees entitled to certain legal protections. Companies including Lyft and Uber said they don’t expect major impacts.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 9, 2024

FEMA disaster resilience loan program grows to $150M this year

The Federal Emergency Management Agency streamlined the application process for the funding program based on feedback from last year.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 8, 2024

Philadelphia mayor drops degree requirements for some city jobs hours after inauguration

Only about one-third of Philadelphians 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, U.S. Census Bureau data shows.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 5, 2024

EPA picks 11 ‘grantmakers’ to dole out $600M for environmental justice projects

By selecting community-based organizations as pass-through entities for grants, the Environmental Protection Agency says it is reducing barriers to federal funding.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 22, 2023

Housing, care increasingly unaffordable for growing US elderly population, report warns

With income inequality, mortgage debt and climate change risks to housing all increasing, creative solutions are needed, the Harvard University report says. 

By Austyn Gaffney • Dec. 21, 2023

Senators call for changes to ‘inefficient’ disaster recovery funding program

The status quo leaves disaster-struck communities in the lurch as they wait for Congress to OK recovery funds, experts said at a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 18, 2023

Public housing residents get free college advising in LA program

The “no-barrier” program, open to residents of any age or educational attainment, provides mentors and other guidance.

By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 12, 2023

For climate resilience, housing is ‘the name of the game’ in this fast-growing US city

Population is booming in Jacksonville, Florida, but to avoid putting people at increased risk, the city is eyeing paradigm shifts in development patterns.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 11, 2023

HUD announces new building decarbonization efforts at COP28

As the U.S. pledges to make near-zero-emissions buildings the “new normal” by 2030, the housing agency is teaming up with other departments for access to the best available data and research.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 7, 2023