Governance: Page 21


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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    New York lawmakers pass bill requiring all new vehicle sales be zero-emissions by 2035

    The measure now awaits Gov. Andrew Cuomo's signature. His office says a decision has not been made yet, but the state is committed to electrifying its transportation sector.

    By Robert Walton • April 30, 2021
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    NLC calls for engagement, proper training for facial recognition tech

    The report urges cities to limit the scope of the technology and have rigorous data standards to protect privacy, but opponents say that's not enough.

    By Chris Teale • April 29, 2021
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    Screenshot via Greentown Labs Houston

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    Cleantech incubator part of Houston's goal to be 'energy transition capital'

    One year after the city unveiled its Climate Action Plan, the incubator said it has 30 startups ready to move into its 40,000-square-foot Greentown Labs space.

    By Chris Teale • April 23, 2021
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    New York to revive curbside composting as city lags on zero waste goal

    Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Earth Day the city is reviving multiple programs cut during the pandemic. But the city is not yet taking the steps many elected officials and advocates believe are necessary to achieve a key 2030 target.

    By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2021
  • LA Mayor Garcetti State of the City 2021
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    Garcetti, Eric. (2021). "State of the City 2021" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    3 key investments in LA Mayor Garcetti's proposed 'justice budget'

    As the city recovers from the financial blows of the pandemic, the FY22 budget calls for record funding to address homelessness, a guaranteed basic income pilot and the exploration of a reparations commission. 

    By Cailin Crowe • April 22, 2021
  • Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
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    Permission granted by E.A. Crunden
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    Transportation groups call for national VMT program

    In a letter to House and Senate committee leaders, the coalition said a vehicle miles traveled program would be the best alternative to gas taxes, but others are reluctant due to potential impacts on rural drivers.

    By Chris Teale • April 16, 2021
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    Courtesy of Lime
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    New York City to roll out phase 2 of its e-scooter pilot

    The city will double the Bird, Lime, and Veo e-scooter footprint in the East Bronx from 3,000 to 6,000 vehicles while extending the pilot zone.

    By Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe , Danielle McLean • Updated March 25, 2022
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    Screenshot via Smart Cities Connect

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    Virginia launches statewide IoT cybersecurity contest

    As some state and local governments look to actively bolster their IoT networks, Gov. Ralph Northam announced the competition to leverage in-state students and faculty at the Smart Cities Connect virtual conference Tuesday.

    By Chris Teale • April 14, 2021
  • Capitol Hill
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    The image by Андрей Бобровский is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    'Failing' US infrastructure needs new purpose beyond shovel-ready efforts: report

    The Brookings Institution said federal investment should prioritize outcomes like equity over financing specific projects, supporting an overall mindset shift about the role of infrastructure.

    By Chris Teale • April 13, 2021
  • homeless encampment california oakland tent city
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    Florin, Fabrice. (2016). "Oakland Visit" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    California launches its first-ever statewide homelessness data repository

    By consolidating data, the system aims to help inform policy decisions following a 7% increase in the state's homeless population last year.

    By Cailin Crowe • April 12, 2021
  • baltimore syline
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    jimmyweee. (2016). "Baltimore" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Baltimore resilience corps could be model for cities

    Local leaders, the Rockefeller Foundation and other partners shared learning lessons from the corps' first six months, including how to leverage the program post-pandemic. 

    By Cailin Crowe • April 9, 2021
  • It's time to 'redefine what infrastructure is,' says USCM president

    Louisville, KY Mayor Greg Fischer said in a webinar that President Biden's American Jobs Plan will ready the U.S. for the future and "unleash" innovation.

    By Chris Teale • April 8, 2021
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    U.S. Conference of Mayors virtual meeting: https://usmayors.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_shTXlYtwTV6xB9f4TmNalw 

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    US mayors gather to address surge of anti-Asian violence in cities

    With such hate crimes increasing 150% across 16 major cities in 2020, federal and local leaders discussed possible solutions at a recent U.S. Conference of Mayors panel.

    By Cailin Crowe • April 7, 2021
  • First Solar's Series 6 modules deployed in a project in Kern County, California
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    Permission granted by First Solar
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    Local governments set record for new renewable energy procurement in 2020, groups report

    Transactions last year grew renewable capacity 23% from 2019's totals, according to World Resources Institute and Rocky Mountain Institute data.

    By Chris Teale • April 5, 2021
  • President Joe Biden speaking about the American Jobs Plan
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    Retrieved from Twitter.
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    How the American Jobs Plan aims to shape 4 pillars of city infrastructure

    The administration's package looks to inject billions of dollars into the country's digital infrastructure, water, transportation and housing needs, with emphasis on racial equity and climate resilience.

    By Smart Cities Dive Team • April 1, 2021
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    Taylor McKnight/Smart Cities Dive
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    Singapore tops global smart city rankings again, NYC leads US

    Meanwhile, Columbus, OH reached No. 11 in the Eden Strategy Institute's latest standings due to coordinated efforts with Smart Columbus.

    By Chris Teale • April 1, 2021
  • LA, Philadelphia and DC compost leaders look to better leverage city park sites

    As municipally supported composting grows in some parts of the country, panelists at a U.S. Composting Council event discussed solutions to common roadblocks in using parklands for such programs. 

    By Maria Rachal • March 31, 2021
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    The image by Christopher Michel is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Few mayors expect to keep COVID-inspired changes to public spaces, survey finds

    The Menino Survey of Mayors found that although leaders predict residents will spend more time outside, only 6% of mayors plan to keep recent changes to those spaces like closed roads and new bike lanes.

    By Chris Teale • March 31, 2021
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    Adeline Kon/Smart Cities Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Satellite internet: digital divide solution or 'science experiment'?

    SpaceX and Amazon have said the technology can help rural America get online, but opponents say it's unproven and not worthy of federal investment.

    By Chris Teale • March 30, 2021
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    Daimler
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    Auto leaders urge adoption of 'common language' for AV safety

    The Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium — which counts Ford, Daimler and Lyft among its members — outlined performance metrics for developers to inspire public confidence in self-driving cars.

    By Chris Teale • March 29, 2021
  • The smart city tech most at risk for cyberattacks: report

    University of California at Berkeley researchers said certain traffic lights and emergency alert systems are among the most vulnerable. 

    By Chris Teale • March 26, 2021
  • Fermata Energy has partnered with the City of Boulder on a vehicle-to-grid charging project
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    Permission granted by Fermata Energy
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    New coalition calls on Biden admin to prioritize electrified transportation

    CHARGE, a group of 37 organizations, is urging EV charging infrastructure be especially deployed in communities traditionally underserved by transportation or that have struggled with pollution burdens.

    By Chris Teale • March 25, 2021
  • Knight Foundation Gehl public spaces post-COVID
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    Permission granted by Gehl
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    Community-led design of public spaces could have 'ripple effect' in COVID recovery: report

    Analysis of public spaces in Detroit; Philadelphia; San Jose, CA; and Akron, OH by the Knight Foundation and design firm Gehl found successful and resilient programming could have long-term effects after the pandemic.

    By Chris Teale • March 24, 2021
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    Courtesy of Smart Growth America
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    Pedestrian deaths had largest year-on-year increase in 2020: GHSA

    The Governors Highway Safety Association projected there were 6,721 pedestrian fatalities last year, a 4.8% increase from 2019's mark of 6,412.

    By Chris Teale • Updated May 21, 2021
  • Bergen County Utilities Authority, wastewater
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    Permission granted by Bergen County Utilities Authority
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    Climate-driven water infrastructure failures risk becoming 'business as usual'

    Monday's World Water Day comes one month after extreme weather wreaked havoc on Texas' water supply, an event that experts warn could become the new normal if leaders fail to invest in resiliency. 

    By Chris Teale • March 22, 2021