Biden outlines $2T plan to invest in renewables, electrification

Joe Biden said now is an "incredible opportunity" to recover from COVID-19 in a way that tackles climate change and creates jobs.

By Emma Penrod • July 15, 2020

Uber rolls out mobile ticketing for 13 Ohio, Kentucky transit agencies

Uber Transit Ticketing will provide riders with in-app ticketing options and trip planning information in an effort to boost public transit ridership.

By Chris Teale • July 15, 2020

Calls to 'defund the police' are upending FY21 budgets. Here's how.

In this interactive report, Smart Cities Dive details how each state's largest city adjusted its public safety funding — if at all — amid demands for reallocations of police budgets.

By Kristin Musulin, Cailin Crowe • July 15, 2020

Apple invests $400M in California housing as US faces 'tidal wave of evictions'

The company's $2.5 billion pledge toward the state's affordable housing crisis comes as California grapples with record-breaking unemployment.

By Cailin Crowe • July 14, 2020

The ADA is turning 30, but the built environment is still far from inclusive

While many cities have shown efforts to implement accessible design since the 1990 adoption of the American Disabilities Act, more must be done.

By Steve Wright • July 14, 2020

Boston residents of color more likely to live by high-polluting roads

Fifty-four percent of Latino residents, 45% of Black residents and 47% of Asian residents live in high-polluted areas, exacerbating health issues that can increase COVID-19 vulnerability.

By Cailin Crowe • July 10, 2020

CivStart shares inclusivity task force roster

The cohort of public and private leaders — many of whom represent minority communities — will develop a roadmap of action plans to foster inclusive and diverse govtech ecosystems.

By Kristin Musulin • July 9, 2020

Philadelphia to get branding makeover with new online identity

A recent request for proposals calls for an online toolkit vendor that would help local organizations create a "cohesive and compelling global identity" for the region.

By Chris Teale • July 9, 2020

Michigan charts a multimodal future with new mobility office

Chief Mobility Officer Trevor Pawl said the newly created office will unify state-level initiatives, inspired in part by work already done in Detroit and elsewhere.

By Chris Teale • July 8, 2020

Knoxville, TN data published online after ransomware attack

Hackers published information and data in a bid to extract a ransom payment and "shame victims," a city spokeswoman told Smart Cities Dive.

By Chris Teale • July 7, 2020

COVID-19 has temporarily turned an Atlanta golf course into a public 'oasis'

An 80-year-old golf course in Chastain Memorial Park is now the subject of a 60-day sharing experiment to rethink the use of public space. 

By Adina Solomon • July 7, 2020

Boston is second-largest US city to ban facial recognition

Mayor Marty Walsh signed the ban amid a national debate around police reform, which has included a reckoning on the potential inequities of facial recognition tech.

By Jason Plautz • July 6, 2020

LA, Chicago tap social media to refine mask guidance

In a webinar hosted by Zencity, chief leaders from Chicago and Los Angeles detailed how social media has played a role in communicating and improving face mask guidance.

By Kristin Musulin • July 2, 2020

House Dems propose net-zero emissions by 2050

The climate proposal urges building, transportation and industrial electrification, and notably does not call for an end to natural gas fracking.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 1, 2020

Connecticut DOT to run first automated transit bus in US

CTDOT received a $2 million grant to deploy the program along a 9-mile transit corridor, including three 40-foot battery electric heavy-duty buses. 

By Cailin Crowe • June 30, 2020

Mayors form UBI advocacy coalition

Eleven leaders have convened to launch Mayors for a Guaranteed Income in an effort to boost economic security, particularly amid COVID-19.

By Kristin Musulin • June 30, 2020

4 cities win smart intersection challenge to reduce congestion

Austin, TX will use Parsons' intelligent intersection software to retime traffic signals, potentially leading to a 40% reduction in congestion.

By Cailin Crowe • June 29, 2020

Mayors group calls for renewed trust, equity in policing

The U.S. Conference of Mayors Working Group on Police Reform and Racial Justice released principles to recast departments' community relationships. 

By Chris Teale • June 29, 2020

After years of debate, NYC approves scooter pilot program

City council passed a law requiring the launch of a shared micromobility pilot by March 1, 2021 — though some council members are still concerned about safety and charging capacity. 

By Chris Teale • June 26, 2020

BLM advocates slam 'ironic' protest surveillance in 15 cities

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol confirmed its surveillance of Black Lives Matter protests across the country. Now, advocates want to know how the 270 hours of footage will be used.

By Kristin Musulin • June 25, 2020

3 ways smart cities can improve air quality

With urbanites expressing a renewed interest in air quality improvement amid the coronavirus, cities may find themselves in need of better data to base policy decisions.

By Grant Samms • June 25, 2020

Transit agencies weigh security forces amid calls to defund police

U.S. cities are reassessing transit policing in an effort to address issues of systemic racism. "This is about reimagining what safety looks like," one transit official said.

By Jason Plautz • June 25, 2020

Playbook urges 'overhaul' in infrastructure financing, planning

A bevy of groups called for a more equitable and resilient post-coronavirus rebuild that gives local governments more autonomy and scope to innovate.

By Chris Teale • June 24, 2020

House passes $1.5T infrastructure bill

The expanded Moving Forward Act includes $500 billion in green measures and $100 billion for both affordable housing and broadband internet, among other funding.

By Kim Slowey • Updated July 2, 2020

St. Louis to add 1,400 tech jobs with AFS Advanced Technology Center

Accenture Federal Services' new tech center will open later this year, at a time when Missouri is grappling with a 13.3% statewide unemployment rate.

By Cailin Crowe • June 24, 2020