NYC launches Text-to-911 service after years of delays

The city avoided a splashy launch of the service due to concerns of an overwhelmed system amid the current protests for racial justice.

By Chris Teale • June 5, 2020

5 outcomes of an Election Day marked by protests and pandemic

The June 2 primary was unlike any other as mail-in voting became the norm to support social distancing, and voters grappled with protests, curfews and consolidated polling sites. 

By Cailin Crowe • June 4, 2020

House Dems unveil $494B transportation infrastructure bill

The INVEST in America Act would reauthorize funding that's currently provided under the FAST Act for improvements to highways, transit, safety and research.

By Chris Teale • June 4, 2020

Montreal tree inventory project adapts to COVID-19 limitations

With field work suspended, researchers at Concordia University are asking residents of the surrounding neighborhood to survey their own private trees. 

By Chris Teale • June 3, 2020

Public transit advocates react to George Floyd protests

Transit services have been disrupted in nearly every major U.S. city as thousands march to demand racial justice. While some agencies have provided buses to detain protesters, others have refused to assist police.

By Kristin Musulin • June 3, 2020

Cross-sector data insights are critical amid COVID-19

There's nothing like a crisis to demonstrate how hard it is to make quick sense of a tidal wave of information from every direction.

By Ashvini Saxena • June 3, 2020

Massachusetts hopes 'localized approach' to GHG inventory can spread

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council rolled out tools for local communities to collect and track emissions data, something officials believe could be replicated in other regions.

By Chris Teale • June 2, 2020

Mayors seek financial relief amid protests: 'We absolutely cannot do it alone'

Many cities grappling with already-strapped budgets due to coronavirus are calling on Congress for additional aid as they confront the costs of recent racial justice demonstrations.

By Cailin Crowe • June 2, 2020

Census data shows slowing population growth in big cities — for now

A Brookings Institution report found a rise in urban population growth in the first half of the decade, followed by a decline and an uncertain future due to the pandemic. 

By Cailin Crowe • June 1, 2020

Cities need more expertise, utility support in 100% renewables push: report

The authors said local leaders should invest more time to ensure the energy transition is equitable and does not leave marginalized communities behind.

By Chris Teale • June 1, 2020

A sneak peek at San Francisco's new low-carbon neighborhood

The city unanimously approved plans to build a 29-acre sustainable, transportation-efficient community on the site of a former century-old fossil fuel power plant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 29, 2020

North Texas Innovation Alliance to foster collaborative regional growth

The new nonprofit will bring together 21 founding members including 12 Texas cities to help tackle issues like infrastructure, equity and transportation. 

By Chris Teale • May 29, 2020

Solar 'growing rapidly' in US cities: report

Fifty cities have more than doubled their total installed solar photovoltaic capacity since 2013, according to a new report by Environment America.

By Chris Teale • May 28, 2020

NYC mayor signs COVID-19 relief bill providing help for restaurants

The package includes suspension of sidewalk cafe fees through February 2021, caps on third-party delivery fees and other protections for an industry that has lost $2 billion in sales across the state. 

By Julie Littman • May 27, 2020

Columbus, OH exceeds EV adoption goal

Local residents have purchased more than 3,300 electric vehicles over the past three years as part of its $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 27, 2020

The 'new normal': City sectors confront post-coronavirus realities

With costs of the pandemic coming into focus as recovery efforts persist, Smart Cities Dive analyzed how leaders across various departments can use lessons from the COVID-19 crisis to rebuild.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Stay-at-home orders shine light on 'amplified' digital divide

Just as the Great Depression highlighted a need for ubiquitous electricity, advocates are urging leaders to seize COVID-19 as a turning point for ubiquitous internet.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Transportation leaders focus on regaining trust before building anew

Before eyeing new infrastructure, transportation agencies must regain the loyalty of riders who fled to personal cars amid the pandemic.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Observing recovery through a climate 'magnifying glass'

COVID-19 presented cities with fresh observations of climate trends, marking a crucial time for leaders to weave climate change mitigation into recovery efforts.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Water utilities face an uphill climb out of the deep end

Many water utilities have found themselves supplying a public necessity to customers with empty pockets. Leaders are now calling for increased infrastructure investments to support a revenue rebound.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Telecoms pledge to push 5G despite coronavirus setbacks

Pandemic limitations have stretched out infrastructure approval processes, leading to expected delays in network availability. Regardless, telecoms have "no intention of slowing down" on 5G.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

10 congestion pricing principles for cities to consider: report

The Eno Center for Transportation said local leaders should focus on equity and transparency, and limit exemptions to emergency vehicles only.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Smart projects not a priority for most government CIOs, CTOs: report

CompTIA's Public Technology Institute found that even before the pandemic, only 25% of city and county leaders surveyed had a smart strategy in place.

By Chris Teale • May 22, 2020

Rubicon report cites $208M potential savings for cities using smart waste platform

The smart waste and recycling tech company played up its municipal offerings and emphasized the "waste wake-up call" many cities are facing post-China's scrap import ban. 

By Cole Rosengren • May 22, 2020

In second health crisis of his tenure, Revere, MA's mayor taps new tech

Mayor Brian Arrigo's administration, which oversaw the worst of the opioid epidemic, now faces another health crisis: COVID-19. This time, they brought in Soofa to aid residents through the newest scourge.

By Kristin Musulin • May 22, 2020