'Mini megacities' to watch for commercial construction: Omaha, NE

Omaha’s inexpensive land and centralized location have helped fuel an explosion in construction-related employment.

By Jennifer Goodman • Jan. 23, 2020

NYC's roofs are getting a sustainable makeover

It's been two months since New York's Sustainable Roof Laws, part of the Climate Mobilization Act, took effect. Now architects and officials must decide: Are green roof systems or solar systems best?

By Cailley LaPara • Jan. 22, 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

6 takeaways from the 2019 Menino Survey of Mayors

The annual survey of 119 U.S. mayors highlighted a need for improved water infrastructure, increased cyclist safety and dedicated opportunity zone investments.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 22, 2020

New York regulators recommend charging infrastructure plan expected to deliver $2.6B in net benefits

The program will also cover up to 90% of costs for "make-ready" charging stations to lower cost barriers for developers.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2020

Microsoft adds $250M to Seattle affordable housing commitment

King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles said Microsoft has "stepped up to the plate big time," a move she hopes other area tech giants follow.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 17, 2020

3 market shifts for intelligent buildings in 2020

This year will be the inflection point for decarbonization of buildings charioted by the business-relevant intelligent building solutions market.

By Casey Talon • Jan. 17, 2020

Coord's Digital Curb Challenge to help 3 cities optimize curb space

The company will offer free pilots to cities or other curb managers, helping groups experiment with commercial loading zones or demand-responsive parking prices. 

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 16, 2020

Spin selects 6 nonprofits for mobility data fellowship

The advocacy groups will have access to a street data toolkit for one year, and UC-Davis will evaluate the findings for deeper insights. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 16, 2020

FlashParking raises $60M to bring mobility hubs to 40% of US cities

The company plans to repurpose parking garages, free up curb space and reduce congestion with the expansion of 22,000 mobility hubs.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 16, 2020

Reps introduce TREES Act to expand urban canopies

The bill would create a grant program for free or reduced-cost tree planting services to lower energy costs and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 16, 2020

Uber calls on Congress to boost cyclist, pedestrian safety

Through its new City Mobility Campaign, Uber is working with cycling advocates to urge increased funding for infrastructure that can protect vulnerable roadway users.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 14, 2020

HUD finds 2.7% uptick in homelessness nationwide

An annual Congressional report called out California, which saw a 16.4% increase in homelessness in 2018, more than all other states combined.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 13, 2020

Seattle to transition city-owned buildings away from fossil fuels

The first round of building electrification plans are due this summer after an executive order from Mayor Jenny Durkan advancing a Green New Deal.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 10, 2020

Toyota unveils plan to build 'City of the Future' in Japan

The hydrogen-powered "Woven City" is intended to serve as a real-life testbed for autonomous and AI technologies at the base of Mt. Fuji.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 8, 2020

Sidewalk Labs pilot aims to improve recycling habits

The Clean Recycling Pilot in Toronto will identify and sort waste, then provide feedback to the public in a report on how they can do it better.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 8, 2020

Parking is the missing piece of the smart city puzzle

When all the fixtures of new mobility converge inside garages rather than on streets, we can take lock out of the grid and put smart back into the city.

By Neil Golson • Jan. 3, 2020

7 trends that will define smart cities in 2020

Cities are primed for big transformation, including scooter company consolidation, car-free zone planning and increased flying car investments.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 2, 2020

How Sidewalk Labs is transforming city planning

The company developed a generative design tool that can analyze millions of comprehensive planning scenarios on a number of quality of life indicators.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 18, 2019

NYC passes bill requiring bird-friendly glass on buildings

The measure aims to reduce the 90,000 to 230,000 bird strike deaths in New York each year, with the country's bird population reaching a 29% decline since 1970. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 16, 2019

ASCE, mayors group create resilient infrastructure coalition

The partnership aims to break down barriers to action with practical action plans, sustainable infrastructure and untapped investments. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 13, 2019

Philly mayor signs laws to boost big building efficiency, phase out dirty fuel

Mayor Jim Kenney also updated the city's Energy Benchmarking Program, designed to understand energy use and "opportunities for change," according to a senior program manager.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 12, 2019

Airbnb to roll out hotline for mayors, city officials

The hotline is part of Airbnb's "ongoing commitment to work with cities" and increased communication to ensure safety and privacy standards, the company said. 

By Chris Teale • Dec. 9, 2019

Disruptor of the Year: Sidewalk Labs

Alphabet-owned Sidewalk Labs is disrupting today's urban pain points with innovative, controversial solutions for its proposed futuristic smart city. 

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 9, 2019

The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2019

From Sidewalk Labs' disruptive, futuristic smart city to the climate strategy in Calgary, Alberta, these are the leading cities, officials and initiatives of the year.

Dec. 9, 2019

Affordable housing shortage highlights the need for construction to enter the tech age

Prefabricated modular housing can address the affordable housing crisis in a revolutionary way. It's time to acknowledge and invest in the promise of factory-built housing once again.

By Nigel Wilson • Dec. 4, 2019