Tampa, Florida, creates resilience plan to prepare for next crisis

The road map, which officials say is the first to be released during or after the coronavirus pandemic, calls for more affordable housing and broadband access in addition to climate-ready infrastructure.

By Chris Teale • June 3, 2021

Republicans include $4B for EVs in 2nd counteroffer to Biden infrastructure plan

The Republicans' proposal would spend $928 billion on infrastructure over the next eight years, a $360 billion increase over their previous proposal. But EV advocates say the plan still falls short. 

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2021

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

Washington, DC, reclaims top spot as best city for parks

The Trust for Public Land's rankings measured park equity access for the first time in the index's 10-year history, noting that while many cities have made strides, plenty of work still lies ahead.  

By Chris Teale • May 27, 2021

With more extreme weather on horizon, FEMA resilience program's dollars to double

The Biden administration's $1 billion injection for the nascent Pre-Disaster Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program comes as national leaders aim to "categorically shift" disaster spending from reactive to proactive.

By Maria Rachal • May 26, 2021

Predicting travel rebound, Airbnb rolls out major feature upgrades

The company is implementing a swath of changes, including to its City Portal, as CEO Brian Chesky said he anticipates the "biggest travel rebound in a century." 

By Chris Teale • May 25, 2021

Biden decarbonization focus shifts to buildings, aiming to triple efficiency

The White House announced workforce development funding, new performance standards and expanded partnerships in the private sector to address carbon emissions from the nation's building stock.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2021

Coalition seeks to highlight composting as key urban infrastructure

Given the Biden administration's focus on climate, environmental justice and infrastructure investment, advocates and trade groups view now as an apt time to pursue $200 million across a decade to help expand U.S. composting.

By Maria Rachal • May 13, 2021

NREL app expected to significantly speed up US residential solar permitting

A new app designed by NREL will address a key concern among solar contractors with near-instantaneous permit decisions for residential installations in the majority of U.S. jurisdictions.

By Emma Penrod • May 10, 2021

Riskiest states for cycling shift in new analysis

StreetLight Data took a new approach of looking at fatalities per bicycle miles traveled, or BMT, to measure risk as urban planners grapple with the pandemic's drastic changes to mobility.

By Cailin Crowe • May 10, 2021

Lawmakers lobby for local infrastructure projects

Despite a lack of agreement on how much should be spent, politicians on both sides of the aisle are pushing projects that would improve their districts.

By Zachary Phillips • May 6, 2021

NACTO awards 10 cities with pandemic street design, recovery grants

From Seattle to Baltimore, each city will receive $50,000 to transform streets into "community assets" by introducing efforts like asphalt art and traffic calming measures. 

By Cailin Crowe • Updated June 22, 2021

LEED-certified federal buildings aren't using less energy: study

Despite being "one of the most sought-after" green building certifications, Carnegie Mellon researchers found that LEED has "no effect" on the average energy consumption of federally-owned buildings.

By Robert Walton • May 5, 2021

Dems weigh legislative approaches to push Biden infrastructure plan

Two House Democrats said they expect most of the $2.3 trillion plan to advance in Congress via reconciliation, but they see room for smaller bipartisan measures, too.

By Jason Plautz • May 4, 2021

Lime taps user base for Complete Streets advocacy

The "People-First Cities" campaign encourages users to advocate for safe local infrastructure. The company said it hopes its presence in red states will push Republican lawmakers to support Biden's infrastructure package. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 30, 2021

New York Building Congress outlines carbon neutrality steps

Modular tactics and building components that can be disassembled easily and reused will help the construction industry reduce carbon emissions, the group noted. 

By Kim Slowey • April 27, 2021

Pittsburgh pursues sustainable deconstruction policy to salvage building materials

Following similar steps in Portland, Oregon, and Milwaukee, Pittsburgh is betting that recovering materials from condemned buildings instead of demolishing them will support the city's climate and equity goals.

By Maria Rachal • April 26, 2021

Buttigieg defends climate elements of American Jobs plan

The transportation secretary told the Senate Appropriations Committee that President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan aims to have the country off fossil fuels and toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

By Kim Slowey • April 21, 2021

​How construction in 5 'mini megacities' fared during the pandemic

The coronavirus couldn't dampen development in these small but mighty construction boomtowns. Here's where they stand today.

By Kim Slowey • April 19, 2021

Sacramento to transform historic train station into people-first mobility hub

The city council approved the 31-acre Sacramento Valley Station Area plan, which will prioritize people over cars and is designed to be one of the state's most sustainable public places.  

By Cailin Crowe • April 19, 2021

The 12 most expensive US cities for construction

Analysis also shows that previously high-volume sectors like retail and offices are being replaced by demand for data centers and mission critical facilities, according to a spokesperson from construction management firm Cumming.

By Jennifer Goodman • April 16, 2021

California wildfire plans limit development, builders say

A $536 million measure from Gov. Gavin Newsom and a state Senate bill target where and how contractors can build, two construction advocacy groups said.

By Joe Bousquin • April 13, 2021

Businesses urge Biden admin to set ambitious federal climate target

Apple, Lime and hundreds of other businesses and investors signed a letter calling for the U.S. to cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.

By Cailin Crowe • April 13, 2021

'Failing' US infrastructure needs new purpose beyond shovel-ready efforts: report

The Brookings Institution said federal investment should prioritize outcomes like equity over financing specific projects, supporting an overall mindset shift about the role of infrastructure.

By Chris Teale • April 13, 2021

NYC e-cargo bikes lay groundwork for future of grocery delivery

The URB-E fleet vehicles tow cargo carts holding up to 800 pounds through New York City and Pasadena, CA, with more cities in its sights. "Last mile has to be electric," the company's CEO said.

By Sam Silverstein • April 13, 2021

Accessible city planning starts with unbiased data insight

New tech in cities can sometimes do more harm than good. Considering inclusive datasets is an essential part of the process for cities to realize benefits, writes Humanising Autonomy CEO Maya Pindeus.

By Maya Pindeus • April 9, 2021