It’s ‘unsexy’ but effective when micromobility companies partner with cities, one CEO says

Drop Mobility CEO Qiming Weng discusses the company's approach to creating a sustainable transportation fleet for cities.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 5, 2021

Report: More than a third of US bridges are structurally deficient. It could take decades to fix them.

As the Senate advances a bipartisan infrastructure bill, bridges in urban areas continue to deteriorate. Here are three that exemplify the urgency.

By Zachary Phillips • Aug. 3, 2021

10 ways the PRO Act could change the game for employers and organized labor

Currently being considered in the Senate, the bill would strengthen the ability of unions, including those of public sector workers, to form and collectively bargain.

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 2, 2021

California’s first AV public passenger service could provide key industry and market data

General Motors-owned Cruise will operate the first-ever driverless car service in the state. Others in the space said they hope to learn a lot — including how the public reacts — from its efforts.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 2, 2021

Partnerships, sustained federal help key to ending ‘digital redlining,’ city leaders say

COVID-19 exacerbated inequitable access to high-speed internet, but long-term federal funding and partnering with telecommunications companies could help, speakers said at a Route Fifty virtual event last week.

By Chris Teale • July 30, 2021

Senate votes to advance bill with $550B for aging US infrastructure

Far smaller than Biden's American Jobs Plan, the bipartisan bill will next enter a phase of debates and amendments.

By Zachary Phillips • Updated July 29, 2021

Despite limited participation, advocates see potential for Northeast transportation cap-and-invest plan

Only four of the over a dozen original participants of the Transportation and Climate Initiative signed on to a final program to cut transportation emissions. Backers say there's still a bright future.

By Jason Plautz • July 29, 2021

City governing: A guide to approaching economic growth like a business

City governing: A guide to approaching economic growth like a business

By Elizabeth Huff • July 28, 2021

Repurposing closed landfills to alleviate constrained budgets and meet sustainability goals

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Among the ...

By Nichole Coulter • July 28, 2021

Decorum and civility in the public sector

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.In a two-p...

By Shelline Bennett • July 27, 2021

‘We have got to do something’: Cities behind on climate goals as extreme weather worsens

Funding, staffing shortfalls and a lack of buy-in from city workers are impeding progress, a Bloomberg Associates report states.

By Danielle McLean • July 27, 2021

Queens is on a quest to become a ‘smart borough’

A recently elected borough president aims to transform Queens. But one expert cautions the need for a "thoughtful, intentional and iterative" strategy, as smart city planning is "not for the faint of heart." 

By Katie Pyzyk • July 26, 2021

Optimizing the citizen experience with interactive portals and one-door entry policies

IT leaders are rethinking citizen communications as the pandemic has led constituents to use hundreds of services online.

By Joseph Flynn • July 23, 2021

Resilience roles go mainstream, as cities seek more climate adaptation resources

"Chief resilience officer" was a novel title a decade ago but is now a fixture in many major local governments looking to coordinate preparedness and response in the face of increasingly common, and costly, extreme weather.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Aug. 10, 2021

Can this new technology make planting trees an affordable way for cities to clean-up contaminated sites?

Cleaning up contaminated sites can get messy for municipalities.

By Kristen Bousquet • July 21, 2021

Cybersecurity questions every local government should ask its vendors

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Recently, ...

By Mike Duffy • July 20, 2021

Challenge to Berkeley gas regulation dismissed, a win for cities in carbon emissions fight

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit last week that challenged the city's restrictions on natural gas in new low-rise residential buildings, a major boost for local governments looking to follow suit.

By Chris Teale • July 16, 2021

Bay Area launches five pilot programs targeting region’s housing challenges

Bay Area launches five pilot programs targeting region’s housing challenges

By Andy Castillo • July 15, 2021

Global cities still falling short on governance of smart city tech: report

As many localities adopt new technologies, they often lack basic governance policies around data privacy, accessibility and cybersecurity, according to a World Economic Forum report. 

By Jason Plautz • July 15, 2021

What Works Cities awards 4 cities top honors for data usage

The Bloomberg Philanthropies nonprofit arm recognized 16 cities total for improving city services and promoting civic engagement with data, key factors for a strong COVID-19 response. 

By Chris Teale • July 14, 2021

Too few companies advocate for climate-friendly policies despite lofty goals: report

Only around 40% of the country's top 100 firms lobby for green legislation, according to sustainability nonprofit Ceres. We have "run out of time to waste," a spokesperson said.

By Chris Teale • July 13, 2021

Transit workers risk ‘great ambush’ without federal investment in training, labor leaders say

The INVEST in America Act provides funding for the first national training center for transportation workers, which leaders say will be crucial in addressing a skills gap and a shrinking worker pipeline.

By Chris Teale • July 6, 2021

3 smart-city groups across Arizona, Texas form multistate collaboration

The three regional cooperatives, the North Texas Innovation Alliance, the Connective and the Southern Arizona Smart Region, will work together to advance funding models and promote new technology. 

By Jason Plautz • July 1, 2021

Final eviction moratorium extension provides ‘breathing room’ for cities

The extension comes as millions are behind on rent. The White House followed it with actions to help state and local governments avoid a wave of evictions, an issue discussed at a recent Eviction Lab and Pew Charitable Trusts event. 

By Cailin Crowe • June 30, 2021

How a ‘Digital City Hall’ helped Santa Monica, California, work through COVID-19

Once "drowning under paper," CIO Joseph Cevetello said the city government's strategic planning around technology prepared it for the sharp transition to remote work, even with a 30% workforce reduction.

By Chris Teale • June 25, 2021