For emergency preparedness, Houston looks to teens

The city launched an educational campaign after identifying emergency preparedness as a top youth need in a process that led to it being named the nation’s first UNICEF-designated child-friendly city. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 18, 2023

Ride-hailing vehicles must be zero-emission in NYC by 2030 under proposed rule

Uber and Lyft vehicles that are wheelchair-accessible would be exempt from the zero-emission requirement. Ride-hailing drivers worry about the cost of buying new vehicles to comply.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 17, 2023

Boston grants aim to lower carbon footprint of affordable housing

Building owners can get up to $10,000 each for comprehensive energy assessments.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 16, 2023

Extreme heat causing ‘preventable’ deaths in US cities, scientists say

Heat wave early warning and response systems “save lives,” but not enough communities have them, said an expert on the health risks of climate change.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 15, 2023

On environmental justice, a new blueprint for action

Chicago violated residents’ civil rights by funneling industrial facilities into communities of color, HUD determined, and the city must make things right.

By Gina Ramirez • Aug. 14, 2023

How ‘snob zoning’ blocks opportunity

Exclusionary zoning policies’ problems — and possible solutions – are on the mind of Richard Kahlenberg, author of the new book “Excluded.”

By Joan Mooney • Aug. 10, 2023

For urban cooling, forests beat street trees, landscaped parks: study

Urban natural areas are “underfunded and unprotected, leaving them imperiled in cities across the country," warns a study of 12 U.S. cities.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 9, 2023

How to safely store e-bikes, e-scooters in apartments

The uptick in micromobility battery fires shows electrification is "moving faster than we’re able to necessarily adapt to," a fire protection expert at an engineering consulting firm said.

By Mary Salmonsen • Aug. 3, 2023

Extreme heat merits federal major disaster status, local leaders say

Proposed federal legislation would unlock much-needed resources for local extreme heat response, say the National League of Cities and U.S. Conference of Mayors.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 1, 2023

Seattle downtown revitalization plan reimagines area post-pandemic

The plan aims to make downtown safer and more welcoming, but critics say it comes at a cost for people living on the streets.

By Joan Mooney • July 24, 2023

These 5 cities aim to cool down by scaling up ‘smart surfaces’ in coming years

The benefits of implementing these surfaces across a city may far outweigh the costs, according to the nonprofit Smart Surfaces Coalition, which is leading the initiative announced Thursday.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 24, 2023

Deadly battery fires from e-bikes, scooters prompt action in NYC

The city launched an education campaign, as legislators push for new policy and community groups strive to reach micromobility-reliant delivery workers.

By Kalena Thomhave • July 21, 2023

Bezos fund commits $400M for urban green space, with initial $50M for 5 cities

To help underserved areas, the first round of awards from the Amazon founder’s climate solutions organization will support 24 urban greening organizations and six national organizations.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 20, 2023

Transportation inequities won’t be solved by continuing past practices: report

The report is geared to elected officials that "are talking about equity" but don't understand that existing programs aren't designed to deliver those results, "no matter how much money you put into it," a transportation policy expert said. 

By Dan Zukowski • July 20, 2023

Spin e-scooters exit Pittsburgh amid state budget impasse

The city lauded the e-scooter pilot’s success, but critics say the program cluttered sidewalks and excluded many residents. 

By Kalena Thomhave • July 18, 2023

Green ‘rebirth’ could be in store for smaller industrial cities across US

After decades of population loss and disinvestment, these cities are uniquely positioned to become climate-resilient hubs that support green agriculture and industry, says a Lincoln Institute of Land Policy report.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 18, 2023

Cities turn to cameras to cut traffic deaths

Cameras and other sensors that detect speeding and red-light running are helping to cut deaths and injuries, but the technology comes with a checkered past and concerns about privacy and equity.

By Dan Zukowski • July 18, 2023

The 5 smart-city priorities in San Antonio’s new road map

The smart cities team used a lengthy process of community input to identify the priorities for innovative applications of data and technology. Creating community buy-in is essential, the team leaders say.

By Joan Mooney • July 14, 2023

Extreme heat: What federal officials want cities to know

As more cities look to combat the perils of extreme heat, evaluating strategies’ effectiveness and scaling up the ones that work remain a challenge, federal officials say.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 13, 2023

‘Amazingly high’ air pollution near Houston chemical plants gets EPA monitoring support

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s support adds weight to potential recommendations the city could make for state industrial emissions regulation, said the Houston Health Department’s chief environmental science officer.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 12, 2023

Los Angeles’ car-free ‘park block’ pilot aims for cleaner air and safer neighborhood streets

The city plans to reroute traffic and create public spaces where roads are closed, following in the footsteps of Barcelona's successful "superblock" program.

By Joan Mooney • July 10, 2023

DOT offers $3.35B in grants to reconnect communities, improve neighborhood access and equity

The grants can be used for planning and capital construction and for regional partnerships to help restore communities previously cut off by transportation infrastructure.

By Dan Zukowski • July 10, 2023

Shared e-scooter program expanding to reach 600K Queens residents in New York

The city should further expand the program to allow cross-borough travel, said the founder of urban mobility company Brightside.

By Kalena Thomhave • July 6, 2023

In the Bronx, a battle over bus lanes

New York City decided last week not to go forward with a proposed busway that would restrict access for private vehicles on a busy road.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Sept. 25, 2023

California greenlights $4.3B funding for energy efficiency, targets underserved and rural communities

The funding will support energy efficiency efforts from 2024 through 2027. Regulators also approved a forecasted budget of another $4.6 billion from 2028 through 2031.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 5, 2023