$11.5B required to care for homeless during COVID-19: report

People experiencing homelessness are twice as likely to require hospitalization and three times as likely to die during the pandemic, according to a group of university researchers.

By Cailin Crowe • March 25, 2020

The US didn't sign a global road safety pact. Now advocates are fighting back

A recent road safety conference in Stockholm seemingly lacked representation from the U.S. federal government. Young advocates were left wondering who is taking charge in eliminating road deaths.

By Chris Teale • March 24, 2020

Cities go digital to survive the new normal

During a recent webinar, leaders highlighted how online municipal services and platforms will be key amid the spread of COVID-19, particularly to eliminate the "barriers of communication" with residents.

By Chris Teale • March 23, 2020

UrbanLeague provides free COVID-19 portals for CIOs, city managers

The platform enables city leaders to access resources such as playbooks and guidelines, and enter "live chats" to address pressing coronavirus questions.

By Kristin Musulin • March 20, 2020

Using P3s for coronavirus response

We must do our part to drive cooperation between the public and private sectors, and rethink the definition of resiliency given our newfound understanding for what is at risk.

By Ryan Martin • March 20, 2020

Smart Cities Council releases COVID-19 mitigation tool

The "Activator - COVID-19 Mitigation Roadmap" can help city leaders visualize their coronavirus response plan and collaborate remotely.

By Cailin Crowe • March 19, 2020

Census Bureau to resume field operations this week

All returning field staff will go through safety training and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) before resuming operations.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated May 5, 2020

Transportation-based Green New Deal seeks extra $37B in federal investment

The Deal would assist transit agencies in facing the dual threats of GHG emissions and COVID-19, which could have a "lasting impact of years" on transit, said Emily Mangan of Transportation for America.

By Chris Teale • March 18, 2020

Bloomberg Philanthropies unveils $40M global initiative for COVID-19 response

This latest program is designed to help low- and middle-income countries around the world grapple with the associated impacts and costs of coronavirus.

By Chris Teale • March 17, 2020

Social media can help city leaders understand COVID-19 concerns

Zencity analyzed over 1.5 million online interactions regarding COVID-19 to find school closures, event cancellations and public transport dominate conversations. 

By Cailin Crowe • March 17, 2020

New York City Council pushes efforts to reach 'zero waste'

A new agenda calls for the expansion of curbside residential organics collection citywide along with more than a dozen other policies.

By Cole Rosengren • March 16, 2020

Civic group calls on Congress to rethink $305B transport bill

The Metropolitan Civic Leadership Alliance said the FAST Act reauthorization should include more forward-looking transportation policies and innovation.

By Cailin Crowe • March 13, 2020

Minneapolis: Transit should be a 5-minute walk away

The Transportation Action Plan intends to get more people out of their cars by 2030 with transit expansion, mobility hubs, green infrastructure and more. 

By Cailin Crowe • March 12, 2020

If a project proposal is too good to be true, it probably is

As the saying goes, there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics. When developing a business case for major smart city projects, this sentiment can be difficult to overcome. 

By Jon Madrid Mitchell & Kara Truschel • March 12, 2020

IDC names winners of 2020 Smart Cities North America Awards

The projects were selected by public vote and represent "the best and brightest change agents within government," said IDC executive Ruthbea Yesner.

By Kristin Musulin • March 10, 2020

Road expansion has increased congestion 144%: report

Governments have spent billions widening and expanding highways, resulting in even more traffic, according to a Transportation for America report.

By Chris Teale • March 10, 2020

The 2020 census is here. Is your city ready?

Smart Cities Dive spoke with officials at the center of the count to assess the impacts the 2020 census will have on local-level governance, especially as the novel coronavirus upends outreach efforts.

Updated April 1, 2020

Fear is a main barrier in counting homeless populations

The census has long yielded an undercount of people experiencing homelessness. This year's count might not be any different.

By Cailin Crowe • March 9, 2020

Lessons from 2010: The importance of census messaging

Congressional representation, data to assist economic growth and federal funding is all on the line this spring as cities gear up for the most important civic engagement effort of the decade.

By Kristin Musulin • March 9, 2020

This census is unlike any before — and we have reason to worry

Kenneth Prewitt, former director of the U.S. Census Bureau from 1998 to 2001, warns of fearmongering, political manipulation and mistrust threatening the validity of the 2020 count.

By Kenneth Prewitt • March 9, 2020

How census data will impact $1.5 trillion in funds

To receive the appropriate allocation of federal funds, local governments are investing millions in recording an accurate count.

By Chris Teale • March 9, 2020

The first majority-online census raises novel concerns

Responses to this year's census will be primarily issued online, though some are worried privacy and the digital divide will depress turnout.

By Chris Teale • March 9, 2020

Tracking the impact of coronavirus on US cities

President Biden has urged states to make every adult eligible to receive a vaccination by May 1 and said a return to normalcy could happen by July 4.  

By Nami Sumida • Updated March 12, 2021

NASA partners with 17 companies on Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge

The challenge will test airborne transportation and management systems in various urban simulations to inform future regulations.

By Chris Teale • March 5, 2020

YIMBY Act receives bipartisan support in the House

The U.S. has a shortage of up to 10 million housing units. This federal bill intends to fill that gap by reducing barriers to construction.

By Cailin Crowe • March 4, 2020