Transit agencies must consider land use and new travel patterns, transportation officials say

New travel patterns driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and remote and hybrid work are forcing transit agencies to reconsider their planning and operations, transportation officials said at the Transportation Research Board's Annual Meeting.

By Charles Pekow • Jan. 12, 2023

DC mayor sets goal of 15,000 new residents downtown within 5 years

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plan would ultimately add more than 100,000 new residents to downtown Washington, D.C., by converting office space into residential housing, but it calls for federal assistance as well.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 4, 2023

Updating local regulations may ease EV charging rollout

Improved regulations make it easier for developers to “know what they’re getting into,” said one transportation planner.

By Kalena Thomhave • Jan. 4, 2023

13 predictions about the trends that will shape smart cities in 2023

Cities will get smarter about transportation infrastructure needs, continue to rethink the use of downtown spaces and look at where data can help inform various operations, readers said.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 3, 2023

10 conversations in 2022 on the future of mobility, high-speed rail, resilience and more

Smart Cities Dive caught up with executives from businesses including GM and Replica; officials from Austin, Oakland and other cities; and leaders from the U.S. Congress and Ukraine.

Jan. 3, 2023

As e-bike fires rise, calls grow for education and regulation

Some point to cheap aftermarket batteries as the primary factor in e-bike and e-scooter battery fires and worry that micromobility device storage bans will set back transportation decarbonization efforts.

By Dan Rosenbaum • Dec. 22, 2022

New York state climate panel outlines ambitious road map to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The plan is a “bold, monumental achievement,” New York’s environmental commissioner said, but the head of an independent power producer industry group said it fails to adequately address grid reliability.

By Stephen Singer • Dec. 20, 2022

Jersey City to fund community projects based on resident feedback

Local officials said the New Jersey city’s first participatory budgeting pilot worked better than expected, allowing them to understand residents’ priorities.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 20, 2022

Lights installations in cities are more than just a holiday attraction

The public art can spur foot traffic, create community and support economic development during a time when urban spaces can otherwise be less lively, organizers say.

By Gaby Galvin • Dec. 19, 2022

US reaches 140k public EV charging ports as key federal official says $90B infrastructure investment needed

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation is preparing to finalize rules setting out minimum standards for a nationally-funded electric vehicle charging network.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2022

Demand soars for EV charging at apartments

Infrastructure options and cost incentives have become more complex as the electric vehicle revolution gears up.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 13, 2022

NYC apartment owners weigh the dangers of electric bikes, scooters

Lithium-ion batteries used in mobility devices such as electric bikes and scooters have caused nearly 200 fires and six deaths in New York City this year.

By Leslie Shaver • Dec. 9, 2022

San Jose, California, to eliminate minimum parking requirements

It’s the largest city in the U.S. to ax parking requirements, according to data from the Parking Reform Network. 

By Michael Brady • Dec. 9, 2022

Biden administration releases federal building performance standard, plan to electrify federal buildings

The new standard sets federal building electrification goals for 2030. The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking to require all new or renovated federally-owned buildings to be electrified.

By Danielle McLean • Dec. 7, 2022

The states with the biggest influx of new renters

Millions of people are eager to move. Here’s where they’re headed, according to a new analysis.

By Mary Salmonsen • Dec. 7, 2022

DC-area county spurs electrification of future buildings

Montgomery County, Maryland, is taking aim at its largest source of emissions. Its policy is the latest advancement for building decarbonization on the East Coast.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 1, 2022

9 startups to join AWS’ Sustainable Cities Accelerator for Infrastructure

Each accelerator participant aims to address infrastructure-related sustainability challenges by offering products and services targeting power, utility, transportation and other systems.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 30, 2022

Five US cities target building energy use, emissions with fines

New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Boston and St. Louis are poised to implement penalties to curb building-level greenhouse gas emissions or energy use.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Nov. 30, 2022

NYC to expand bike lanes, public spaces in 2023

The upgrades build on the city’s Open Streets program, which closes streets to vehicle traffic for use by pedestrians and cyclists, and its efforts to create the largest bike network in the U.S.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 23, 2022

Public pressure at meetings affects rezoning application approval: study

An Urban Institute study found that Louisville, Kentucky, approved fewer rezoning applications in wealthy neighborhoods, even though developers submit more applications there, which was related to the level of public opposition.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 17, 2022

The 10 most future-ready cities in North America: report

Cities must invest more in digital and physical infrastructure to address today’s challenges but face several barriers, including a lack of public trust, a new report finds.

By Michael Brady • Nov. 15, 2022

White House endorses nature-based solutions in first US road map

The Biden administration said this week’s release in conjunction with COP27 marks the first time the U.S. has developed a strategy to scale up green roofs, rain gardens, urban trees and other green infrastructure.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 10, 2022

With control of Congress unknown, clean energy advocates cheer state wins and press for climate action

So far, it appears Republicans failed to pull off an anticipated “red wave” and Democrats outperformed expectations, analysts say.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 9, 2022

Climate funding wins big on state and local ballots

Voters in many jurisdictions embraced spending on resilience projects, clean energy and other climate change mitigation efforts  — with one notable exception.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Nov. 9, 2022

COP27 to spotlight implementation, finance for climate action

Even at the global stage, there could be insights on how to best go about decarbonizing U.S. cities from this month’s United Nations climate conference, experts say.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 7, 2022