Rethinking the 20-minute city in light of police shootings, COVID-19

Although the concept of the "walkable" city is not new, the pandemic and protests against systemic racism present an opportunity for city leaders to incorporate a lens of racial equity into their neighborhood planning, according to Gensler's urban strategies and design leader. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 25, 2020

Tennessee dedicates $3M to bridge Chattanooga students' digital divide

The Tennessee Community CARES funding will support a public-private partnership that aims to provide free high-speed internet to 28,000 students learning at home. 

By Katie Pyzyk , Kristin Musulin • Updated Sept. 30, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

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

Chicago to build $32M urban farm on brownfield site

The facility is expected to grow 26,000 pounds of food and process 85,000 tons of food waste and organics annually, creating a circular economy for a traditionally underserved neighborhood.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 20, 2020

Pilot shows early COVID-19 detection in city wastewater

The project in the City of Ashkelon, Israel, can pinpoint coronavirus infections by streets and neighborhoods, which could help mitigate spread and keep lockdowns localized.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 19, 2020

A greenway is more than just a pretty park — it's a catalyst for change

Greenways offer a breath of fresh air, but when planning and building them, leaders must realize their full potential for social and economic impact.

By Todd Antoine • Aug. 18, 2020

Fighting urban hunger in the age of COVID-19

Nonprofits, businesses and cities are stepping up with new and expanded programs to tackle the surge in food insecurity during the pandemic.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 17, 2020

Cities have a climate problem

As our cities continue to grow, so do the challenges they face. Reimagine the way society lives, works, and plays by moving our cities from climate problems, to climate solutions.

Aug. 10, 2020

Northeast officials blast utilities after 'wholly inadequate' storm response

Hurricane Isaias brought Consolidated Edison, Eversource and other utilities their most power outages since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Aug. 10, 2020

NACTO playbook weaves kid-friendly design into open street plans

The Designing Streets for Kids initiative aims to help cities keep children safe and entertained outside, particularly as many are stuck at home due to the pandemic. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 7, 2020

LA car-share service links up with 'street medicine' team to aid homeless

MoceanLab, developed by Hyundai Motor Group, is providing low-emission hybrid vehicles from its recently launched car-share service to USC's Street Medicine team amid the pandemic.  

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 6, 2020

Denver voters to decide on sales tax for GHG reduction projects

The 0.25% sales tax increase would bring in an estimated $36 million to support initiatives recommended by the Denver Climate Action Task Force.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 5, 2020

DOE releases blueprint for national quantum internet

Increased speed and security could present vast benefits to cities, including the production of more sensitive sensors to monitor for traffic and pollution levels.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 28, 2020

Chicago unveils citywide air quality reform agenda

The agenda, which comes after a report found pollution disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities, includes changes to zoning codes and increased enforcement.

By Chris Teale • July 28, 2020

Google-backed program invests $1.3M in library entrepreneurship centers

The Libraries Build Businesses initiative will help 13 libraries develop business centers to support low-income and underrepresented entrepreneurs.

By Cailin Crowe • July 28, 2020

Investing in sustainable communities post-COVID

Beyond efforts to restart the economy, important decisions must be made to permanently address the cracks that the pandemic has exposed in our societal infrastructure.

By Raedtha Vasquez • July 28, 2020

ThriveNYC dashboard illustrates mental healthcare inequities

As the pandemic heightens anxiety among urbanites, NYC's Black, Latinx and Asian American and Pacific Islander residents remain less likely to reach mental health services than White residents.

By Jason Plautz • July 27, 2020

Changing grid architecture creates resilience opportunities: report

Over the next decade, utilities will invest about $1 trillion in power grid upgrades. That creates an opportunity to "reimagine the fundamental approach to grid resilience," according to a new report from Rocky Mountain Institute. 

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2020

The case for C-suite engagement on climate risk

Climate change is recognized as a potential threat to the bottom line. Your company's response to it could be a strategic driver of value.

By Peter Schultz, Brad Hurley and Andrew Eil • July 23, 2020

Construction begins on Pittsburgh International Airport microgrid

The microgrid will completely power PIT by next summer, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative among major U.S. airports.

By Chris Teale • July 23, 2020

Architecture firm reimagines NYC without cars

The Practice for Architecture and Urbanism unveiled a proposal for Manhattan to re-purpose its roadways, which make up 30% of the borough. 

By Cailin Crowe • July 22, 2020

High-income homes responsible for 25% more GHG: study

The carbon footprint of wealthy neighborhoods can be up to 15 times higher than lower-income areas, according to a new University of Michigan study.

By Jason Plautz • July 21, 2020

Mobile innovation will drive safety, efficiency in a post-COVID world

The potential of mobile tech across city sectors is endless. Now is the time to start looking at mobile as a lifeline rather than merely an option.

By Coby Berman • July 21, 2020

COVID-19 is amplifying anxiety, depression in largest US metro areas

U.S. Census Bureau data found a majority of residents in the 15 largest metro areas are anxious or depressed, with Riverside, CA at the top of both lists.

By Kristin Musulin • July 20, 2020

Smart pumps are key for more sustainable cities

The benefits of smart pumps align with the aim of smart cities to more effectively manage assets and resources — ultimately leading to the achievement of city sustainability goals.

By Peter Gaydon • July 20, 2020

Tackling evictions, housing and the prison-to-homelessness pipeline

In a virtual town hall hosted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, leaders gathered to discuss the disproportionate effect of the pandemic on homeless groups. 

By Cailin Crowe • July 16, 2020