The 10 cities in the most 'financial distress': report

Las Vegas, Chicago and Houston are home to the residents experiencing the heaviest financial burdens, according to a recent WalletHub study.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 28, 2020

10 statewide ballot measures to watch: results

Of the 10 ballot initiatives identified last week as "measures to watch," only one — a rent control initiative in California — failed at the polls.

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Updated Nov. 4, 2020

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Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Ballot billions: Behind the efforts to fund and finance climate action

In a year that virtually depleted municipal budgets, ballot-derived tax and funding measures can be crucial to support city-level climate action. Outside of these measures, how else can cities secure cash?

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Oct. 27, 2020

Cities' GHG emissions reduction efforts, by the numbers

A new Brookings report assessed the nation's many climate action plans to check if cities are meeting their emissions reduction commitments.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 23, 2020

Lime, WWF partner to promote clean transportation

The micromobility giant and conservation leader will run joint education and advocacy campaigns in a bid to enhance mobility options and safer streets.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 22, 2020

Death of the downtown: How cities can rebuild using 'tactical urbanism'

Whether or not cities "bounce back" from the COVID-19 pandemic will be determined by the choices they make to reimagine their downtown hubs, experts say.

By Amanda Loudin • Oct. 20, 2020

Shutting off water in a pandemic? With the right tech, we shouldn't have to.

Thousands of Americans are at risk of water shut-offs due to financial constraints. Why is this, when technologies exist to make water more affordable for everyone?

By Christine E. Boyle • Oct. 19, 2020

A climate solution hidden in plain sight

Hillsboro, OR opened the doors to a new community center this month that provides both critical infrastructure and a powerful climate solution.

Oct. 19, 2020

Albuquerque, NM breaks ground on 50 MW solar field on tribal lands

The array, through a partnership with utility PNM and the Jicarilla Apache Nation, will help the city get 88% of its electricity from renewable energy by the end of 2021.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 16, 2020

Weaving earthquake risk into city resiliency plans

All U.S. communities, even those outside California, should consider earthquakes when planning and building infrastructure, said UCLA professor Scott Brandenberg.

By Adina Solomon • Updated Dec. 2, 2020

Hyundai, UNDP launch 'for Tomorrow' campaign to support sustainable cities

The inaugural platform will crowdsource innovations to help achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on building safe, resilient and sustainable cities. 

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 9, 2020

Elected officials urge automakers to support cleaner cars

The Clean Cars Declaration, signed by more than 200 elected officials, called on manufacturers to drop their support for the Trump administration’s rollback of clean car standards.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 8, 2020

Reloop looks to shake up circular economy policy progress

Elizabeth Balkan, formerly of the Natural Resources Defense Council and New York's Department of Sanitation, is leading the global platform's effort to support changes around packaging and recycling at all levels of government.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 8, 2020

NYC 'leapfrogs' to top of ACEEE clean energy scorecard

While many leading U.S. cities are boosting their efforts to achieve a clean energy future, more action will be needed from "lower-ranking" cities to truly move the needle nationally.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 6, 2020

Bloomington, IN seeks tech hub to break out of 'IU bubble'

The home of Indiana University applied for $5.9 million in federal funding for its Trades District tech center, intended to "diversify" the city's university-dependent economy.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 6, 2020

Boston issues RFP for first urban forest plan

Mayor Marty Walsh said the 20-year plan will set tree canopy protection goals, respond to the challenges of climate change and improve quality of life. 

By Chris Teale • Oct. 5, 2020

The pandemic requires innovation to future-proof our industries

In our current sink-or-swim moment, companies can benefit from a proactive approach to innovation, rather than be caught on the back foot in years to come.

By Jeff Schmidt • Oct. 5, 2020

Pittsburgh mayor: To push a green economy, speak to citizens' pocketbooks

In a Climate Mayors webinar on Thursday, mayors in the Ohio Valley region said people whose jobs rely on fossil fuels must not be left behind.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 2, 2020

USGBC expands green building resilience resources

The U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. released a suite of tools to support green building initiatives amid the costly threats of climate change and the coronavirus. 

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 2, 2020

Google's EIE tool helps cities realize carbon-reduction potential

The urgency of climate action begs local-level officials to use available data tools and bypass traditional planning constraints, leaders said on a webinar.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 1, 2020

Climate change had its presidential debate moment. What did we learn?

President Donald Trump said humans contribute to changing climate "to an extent," and that "forest management" is a key to addressing California wildfires. Joe Biden vowed no more coal or oil-fired plants built.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2020

Bay Area mayors push back on remote work strategy

San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said they “cannot support” the proposal amid concerns about the vitality of downtown economies.

By Chris Teale • Updated Oct. 16, 2020

CityRise forms to tackle NYC's looming 'carmageddon'

The coalition is seeking endorsements from the public to advocate for actionable plans that support bike networks, open streets and dedicated HOV and bus lanes in New York.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 29, 2020

NYC makes outdoor dining, open streets permanent

The city's Open Restaurants program has 10,000 participating eateries and has saved about 100,000 jobs, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 28, 2020

Partnerships key in addressing aging stormwater infrastructure

Public officials are realizing a viable and proven opportunity to answer water management challenges through community and private partnerships.

By Keisha Brown • Sept. 28, 2020