In 2025, city leaders are bracing for change. That’s in part coming from a new administration in the White House and one-party control of Congress, which is likely to bring new policies and discard some from the prior administration. Those new priorities will be reflected in funding for programs that many cities and states rely on.
Emerging technologies also will add to the challenges cities face this year. AI will move further into municipal services, driverless robotaxis will reach more cities, more electric vehicles will be on the road, and more alternative fuels will power buses and other vehicles.
Cities’ long-term challenges are not going away: The lack of affordable housing, growth of homelessness and impacts of climate change are affecting communities across the country. Local governments will need to navigate their way through change while making their communities work for everyone.
In the following stories, Smart Cities Dive expands on these topics and delivers insights from government officials, industry executives and researchers to help city leaders tackle the ever-changing urban world.
