Houston votes to put the 'emphasis on walking' in future development

City councilmembers unanimously backed new ordinances that look to encourage pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development near public transportation.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 6, 2020

Denver voters to decide on sales tax for GHG reduction projects

The 0.25% sales tax increase would bring in an estimated $36 million to support initiatives recommended by the Denver Climate Action Task Force.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 5, 2020

San Diego turns off smart streetlights ahead of surveillance ordinance vote

Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city had "no choice" but to turn the controversial technology off, days after it offered police to run the Smart Streetlights program.

By Chris Teale • Updated Sept. 14, 2020

Housing is healthcare. It's time for Congress to shore up LIHTC

Congress must enact a minimum 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit rate to ensure affordable housing projects remain financially viable amid the pandemic.

By David Rowe • Aug. 4, 2020

New Hampshire law signals 'stepping-stone' to flying cars

Gov. Chris Sununu signed legislation late last month regulating inspections, registration and fees for 'roadable vehicles,' which would operate on state roads and in the air.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 4, 2020

Group calls for national police accountability database

A report from The New Center proposes a comprehensive database with information on physical use of force, no-knock warrants and misconduct, in an effort to drive evidence-based policy changes. 

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 3, 2020

Great Recession erased 30 years of rising homeownership rates: GAO

The U.S. Government Accountability Office examined historical homeownership trends in nine major cities following the financial crisis — and hinted at trends to come in a post-COVID world.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 3, 2020

House passes ride-hailing safety bill Sami's Law

The bill requires companies to implement a digital driver verification system, and prohibits the third-party sale of identifying vehicle signs.

By Chris Teale • July 31, 2020

Roads are becoming less safe. How can fleets reaffirm safety culture?

Safety experts have revealed alarming data points during the pandemic. While mileage is going down, fatality rates and distracted driving are on the rise.

By Shefali Kapadia • July 31, 2020

Columbus, OH kicks off 3 mobility pilots

The city unveiled Smart Mobility Hubs, a connected vehicle tech trial and the redeployment of an autonomous shuttle, all as part of the Smart Columbus initiative.

By Chris Teale • July 30, 2020

Citibot Web Chat relieves comms staff in Williamsburg, VA

The integrated chatbot enables residents to ask common questions regarding COVID-19 mitigation while freeing up time for city staff to tackle other work.

By Kristin Musulin • July 29, 2020

APTA calls on Congress to provide $32B in public transit aid

The request, which follows the rollout of the Senate Republican's new coronavirus relief proposal, come as transit agencies prepare for potentially "catastrophic" decisions in lieu of funding.

By Cailin Crowe • July 29, 2020

Revel exits NYC following reports of fatal crashes

The company, which debuted in Brooklyn in 2018, said the city's service will be shut down "until further notice" as it strengthens "rider accountability and safety measures."

By Chris Teale • July 29, 2020

Chicago unveils citywide air quality reform agenda

The agenda, which comes after a report found pollution disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities, includes changes to zoning codes and increased enforcement.

By Chris Teale • July 28, 2020

Investing in sustainable communities post-COVID

Beyond efforts to restart the economy, important decisions must be made to permanently address the cracks that the pandemic has exposed in our societal infrastructure.

By Raedtha Vasquez • July 28, 2020

ThriveNYC dashboard illustrates mental healthcare inequities

As the pandemic heightens anxiety among urbanites, NYC's Black, Latinx and Asian American and Pacific Islander residents remain less likely to reach mental health services than White residents.

By Jason Plautz • July 27, 2020

NACTO urges shift from 'outdated' speed-limit planning

In a new guide dubbed "City Limits," NACTO said cities should consider how street design and policies can enforce safer speed limits to reduce fatalities and a reliance on police enforcement.

By Chris Teale • July 27, 2020

Mayor Michael Tubbs has a dream of UBI

The young Stockton, CA mayor has taken inspiration from the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. in advocating for a guaranteed income, most recently through the launch of a national mayoral coalition. 

By Kristin Musulin • July 27, 2020

$1.2M grant to turn NYC's closed streets into kid-friendly play spaces

The grant will support the Fresh Air Fund's new Summer Spaces and Youth Employment Programs in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.

By Chris Teale • July 27, 2020

The case for C-suite engagement on climate risk

Climate change is recognized as a potential threat to the bottom line. Your company's response to it could be a strategic driver of value.

By Peter Schultz, Brad Hurley and Andrew Eil • July 23, 2020

Seattle creates 'Digital Bridge' program for low-income job seekers

The program will provide participants with free laptops and broadband connectivity in a bid to bolster digital skills and close the digital divide.

By Chris Teale • July 22, 2020

COVID-19 is amplifying anxiety, depression in largest US metro areas

U.S. Census Bureau data found a majority of residents in the 15 largest metro areas are anxious or depressed, with Riverside, CA at the top of both lists.

By Kristin Musulin • July 20, 2020

San Diego looks to donate used computers to families in need

The city may partner with the San Diego Futures Foundation to redistribute end-of-life machines to the nearly 30,000 city households that lack one.

By Chris Teale • July 20, 2020

Tackling evictions, housing and the prison-to-homelessness pipeline

In a virtual town hall hosted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, leaders gathered to discuss the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on homeless groups. 

By Cailin Crowe • July 16, 2020

Risky business: The wins and losses of pandemic-era urban mobility

During a Knight Foundation webinar, mobility leaders discussed the ups and downs that have occurred nationally as transit agencies work to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

By Cailin Crowe • July 15, 2020