Opinion: Page 2
The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders
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Mark Wilson via Getty Images
Extreme heat is here. Here's how we create a heat-resilient nation.
Heat is the top weather-related killer in the U.S. In the face of worsening climate change, helping communities manage heat will require cooperation among local, state and federal governments, one researcher writes.
Ladd Keith • July 13, 2022 -
skodonnell via Getty Images
The vast, untapped potential of city procurement
The procurement process — often governed by complex regulations and overworked staff — typically occurs outside public view. That needs to change if it's to help the community meet its environmental and social goals.
Sascha Haselmayer • June 27, 2022 -
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AI-enabled cameras and lidar can improve traffic today and support the AVs of tomorrow
Upgrading traffic cameras with AI improves performance and prepares for advancements such as autonomous vehicles. Future systems will likely tap the benefits of both cameras and lidar, write the co-founders of AI platform Derq.
Georges Aoude and Karl Jeanbart • June 17, 2022 -
Mark Kolbe via Getty Images
Don't forget about the creative community in the rebuild of US infrastructure
Previous infrastructure projects used top-down solutions, often without local input, and often resulting in fracture neighborhoods. This time, let’s incorporate community voices — and local artists — to find transformational solutions.
Rip Rapson and Regina Smith • May 26, 2022 -
Mechelle Brooks via Getty Images
Blame local zoning, not Wall Street, for this housing crisis
Local zoning laws and NIMBYism are preventing the growth of affordable housing and greater housing density and contributing to labor shortages in urban areas.
Atticus LeBlanc • May 24, 2022 -
jimfeng via Getty Images
Corporate housing is key to addressing tight housing market, relocating workers
As workers increasingly migrate to suburbs and smaller cities, high housing costs and limited supplies might delay a home purchase. Regulations aimed at vacationers shouldn't limit extended-stay rental options.
Angela Healy • May 11, 2022 -
ictor via Getty Images
To reduce transportation emissions, make it realistic for people to ditch cars
Building walkable communities with easy access to public transit is key to reducing our reliance on cars and achieving environmental goals, writes the CEO of Keolis North America.
David Scorey • May 2, 2022 -
Pgiam via Getty Images
Harassment and intimidation are driving local leaders away from public service, and we all stand to lose
“I genuinely worry about how our nation’s cities, towns and villages will attract and retain the talent we need,” writes the head of the National League of Cities.
Clarence E. Anthony • April 19, 2022 -
David McNew via Getty Images
For the Building Performance Standards Coalition to be effective, the White House must think bigger
The former head of the U.S. Green Building Council weighs in on how federal, state and local government partners can go beyond just reducing building emissions as they pursue decarbonization.
Mahesh Ramanujam • April 8, 2022 -
Permission granted by Via Transportation
What big cities can learn from the rural US about public transit
Grappling with bare-bones transportation networks, rural communities are implementing new transit innovations, a trend that federal infrastructure dollars could accelerate.
Scott James Matheson and Sam Couvillon • April 6, 2022 -
Drew Angerer/Getty Images via Getty Images
Envisioning a policy framework for the growth of AVs and SAVs
Public policy will need to evolve with vehicle automation advances to ensure privately owned, shared and fleet AVs meet community needs. Examining the likely phases of this transition can help officials anticipate policy needs.
Susan Shaheen • March 22, 2022 -
Courtesy of Veo
In it for the long haul: 5 steps to secure micromobility's future
Veo CEO Candice Xie shares insights on how the industry can walk the talk in terms of becoming environmentally sustainable and more financially resilient.
Candice Xie • March 9, 2022 -
Kirill Smyslov via Getty Images
Citizens want authentic engagement opportunities, not just notifications
It's up to governments to build digital on-ramps to help citizens overcome community engagement barriers. With modern solutions and professional support, digital engagement can become an everyday event for any community.
Andrea Facini • March 7, 2022 -
Getty Images
Making corporate net-zero rhetoric real in 2022
Businesses' net-zero commitments are new promises to do good for broader society, going far beyond the company's own operations, the authors write.
Chris Deri and Sasha Mackler • March 1, 2022 -
David McNew via Getty Images
Revisiting California's natural gas hookup subsidies
California is one of the biggest consumers of natural gas in the U.S., and has been adding new gas customers faster than any other state. These trends are in direct conflict with its ambitious climate goals, the authors write.
Clifford Rechtschaffen and Simi Rose George • Feb. 23, 2022 -
ferrantraite via Getty Images
To decarbonize buildings, think like an entrepreneur
The most innovative ideas to slash emissions won’t have impact if they never reach the market, writes Reshma Singh, who focuses on building technologies at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Reshma Singh • Feb. 18, 2022 -
BackyardProduction via Getty Images
Strategies that make universal broadband access a reality are needed
As the federal government readies $65 billion for broadband adoption, local leaders should make thoughtful, culturally-responsive strategies that connect all of our communities, writes the CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.
Antonio Tijerino • Feb. 16, 2022 -
RECVISUAL via Getty Images
At last, an infrastructure bill that gives people a reason to get out of their cars
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could bring tech-enabled mobility to urban ‘transit deserts,' expanding economic opportunities while reducing emissions and traffic congestion, writes Via's head of public policy.
Andrei Greenawalt • Jan. 6, 2022 -
Permission granted by Fermata Energy
The wrong policies will hinder electrification — here's what we need to do
The challenge is how to expand consumer adoption and speed up the transition to electric cars and efficient electric heating systems, writes a commissioner with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission.
Abigail Anthony • Oct. 21, 2021 -
Christian Petersen/Getty Images via Getty Images
We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to meet cities' pressing needs. Let's get it done.
Passing the Biden infrastructure bill will have ripple effects across the U.S., writes Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, driving investments in areas including electric vehicles, energy efficiency and recycling infrastructure.
Kate Gallego • Oct. 18, 2021 -
Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
Time for utility companies to step up by supporting the Clean Electricity Performance Program
Achieving more clean energy is feasible, affordable and would benefit our economy and public health without compromising power system reliability, writes Ceres' senior program director of climate and energy.
Dan Bakal • Oct. 15, 2021 -
Barnes, Elvert. (2019). "IMG_6415" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
We can't forget public transit, walking and cycling in the push to decarbonize transportation
Electric vehicles have lawmakers' attention as one tool to mitigate the climate crisis. But perpetuating private vehicle use won't move the U.S. toward a more equitable transportation future.
Pooja Shah • Sept. 23, 2021 -
Tim Boyle/Getty Images via Getty Images
Buildings are infrastructure, so Congress should treat them that way
Creating a 21st-century transportation network while letting our nation’s buildings crumble is no way to responsibly address an infrastructure crisis, let alone build back better, writes a former congressman and association exec.
Russ Carnahan and Vincent R. Sandusky • Sept. 16, 2021 -
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
With longstanding mobility problems back in the spotlight, cities must consider autonomous vehicles
Many historical transportation challenges in the U.S. are returning worse after pandemic lockdowns. Local leaders have a golden opportunity to leverage autonomous vehicles to create more efficient, equitable systems.
Eric Tanenblatt • Sept. 10, 2021 -
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
When there's a will, there's a way: Building the foundation for municipal EV infrastructure
Electric vehicles (EV) are no longer a novelty. Local leaders can begin to expand their EV infrastructure by first building the local will and political capital, while also investing in workforce development.
Celeste Frye • Sept. 1, 2021
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