What is the role for cities in replacing the gas tax?

A report from the National League of Cities suggests partnering with state and regional governments on alternatives to pay for infrastructure fixes.

By Jason Plautz • March 12, 2019

Can a city go paperless? With blockchain's help, Dubai hopes so

The city is already 57% of the way toward its goal of going paperless, with plans to issue its final paper transaction in 2021.

By Chris Teale • March 12, 2019

San Jose, CA mayor: For citizens to trust cities, they must first trust each other

At SXSW, Mayor Sam Liccardo joined Cities of Service's Myung Lee and Detroit's Arthur Jemison to discuss leveraging citizen engagement for problem solving.

By Kristin Musulin • March 11, 2019

Bill would reinstate national tax benefit for bike commuters

The "Bicycle Commuter Act" would change the benefit’s structure to make it pre-tax and would clarify that bike-share options are eligible for the benefit.

By Chris Teale • March 7, 2019

2 measures to regulate car-sharing advance in Utah

The measures are the latest government efforts to get a handle on the expanding sharing economy by implementing regulations.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 6, 2019

Austin, TX City Council approves strategic mobility plan

An overarching goal is to reduce single-occupancy vehicle use and to halve the number of commuters who drive alone to work by 2039.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated April 15, 2019

San Diego, Marine Corps to partner on smart cities tech

The partnership will look at the application of smart technologies in areas including protection and security, mobility and public works, according to the MOU.

By Jason Plautz • March 5, 2019

NYC business leaders call for Amazon to reconsider HQ2 pull-out

A group of business, elected and civic officials published an open letter urging the company to come back after its surprise withdrawal last month.

By Chris Teale • March 5, 2019

Municipal broadband internet: The next public utility?

Initiatives seem to be gaining steam as U.S. cities look to encourage equitable access — but pitfalls around cost and taxpayer risk remain.

By Chris Teale • March 5, 2019

Report: Seattle home internet access increasing, but disparities remain

The 2018 Technology Access and Adoption Study found 95% of the city's households have internet access, but 21% of those living in poverty do not.

By Chris Teale • March 1, 2019

Pneumatic waste collection tubes get wave of political support in New York

A long-discussed concept to get trucks and bags off the streets around the 1.5-mile High Line Park corridor is taking shape. Now, the team behind it wants key backing from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

By Cole Rosengren • March 1, 2019

Tampa Bay, FL businesses form transportation nonprofit

The Tampa Bay Mobility Alliance has representatives from the region's three counties, who will look to collaborate on transportation solutions.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 28, 2019

Los Angeles Metro to vote on ride-hailing tax, congestion pricing

The funds would go toward transportation projects that the agency wants to complete before the city hosts the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 28, 2019

Are city climate goals too ambitious? Leaders worry about compressed timelines

During a WRI-hosted media briefing, some city sustainability leaders expressed concern that it may be too late to deal with the worst effects of climate change.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 28, 2019

Survey shows majority support for Sidewalk Toronto project

The poll released by the Toronto Region Board of Trade found that 55% of residents favor the plan, compared to 11% who oppose it and 34% who are indifferent.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 27, 2019

New York governor, mayor unveil plan to 'transform' MTA

The much-maligned transit authority will be reorganized and fare increases will be limited, while Manhattan will get congestion pricing in December 2020.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 27, 2019

New Jersey cities may raise parking taxes under new bill

The 3.5% tax, which would only apply to cities with populations over 100,000, would fund capital improvements for pedestrian access to public transit stations.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 27, 2019

Tackling the opioid epidemic with connectivity and cannabis

Silver bullets are in short supply for the opioid crisis. It’s time to propose radical ways to tackle the entrenched epidemic.

By Ying Tam • Feb. 26, 2019

NYC subpoenas Airbnb for data on 20K listings

In an interview with NY1, Mayor Bill de Blasio called on Airbnb to "be transparent and we can start to make progress."

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 25, 2019

Seattle mayor signs affordable housing executive order

The order will combat displacement, support the city's Equitable Development Initiative and create a citywide plan to increase affordability. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 25, 2019

Honolulu launches publicly-facing performance dashboard

Citizens can track the city's progress on projects and services on topics including homelessness, affordable housing, roads and park improvements.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 22, 2019

Is New York's 2030 'zero waste' goal receding from reach?

Three key initiatives — single-stream recycling, curbside organics expansion and "save-as-you-throw" — are on hold indefinitely. Now, both skeptics and boosters are questioning whether it's practical or possible to hit the mark.

By Cole Rosengren • Feb. 21, 2019

NASA chooses Nevada, Texas cities for drone traffic management tests

The agency will test its systems in Reno and Corpus Christi later this year in the culmination of a four-year research and development initiative.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 21, 2019

EastWest Institute releases municipal guide for developing safe, secure smart cities

The guide presents challenges and solutions in four areas: cybersecurity; cyber resilience; privacy and data protection; and collaboration and coordination.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 19, 2019

Crime alert app Citizen expands to Baltimore

The app provides real-time alerts on nearby crimes and emergencies using publicly-available information, but there are concerns over privacy.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 19, 2019