These 5 cities aim to cool down by scaling up ‘smart surfaces’ in coming years

The benefits of implementing these surfaces across a city may far outweigh the costs, according to the nonprofit Smart Surfaces Coalition, which is leading the initiative announced Thursday.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 24, 2023

Deadly battery fires from e-bikes, scooters prompt action in NYC

The city launched an education campaign, as legislators push for new policy and community groups strive to reach micromobility-reliant delivery workers.

By Kalena Thomhave • July 21, 2023

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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

Bezos fund commits $400M for urban green space, with initial $50M for 5 cities

To help underserved areas, the first round of awards from the Amazon founder’s climate solutions organization will support 24 urban greening organizations and six national organizations.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 20, 2023

Transportation inequities won’t be solved by continuing past practices: report

The report is geared to elected officials that "are talking about equity" but don't understand that existing programs aren't designed to deliver those results, "no matter how much money you put into it," a transportation policy expert said. 

By Dan Zukowski • July 20, 2023

Spin e-scooters exit Pittsburgh amid state budget impasse

The city lauded the e-scooter pilot’s success, but critics say the program cluttered sidewalks and excluded many residents. 

By Kalena Thomhave • July 18, 2023

Green ‘rebirth’ could be in store for smaller industrial cities across US

After decades of population loss and disinvestment, these cities are uniquely positioned to become climate-resilient hubs that support green agriculture and industry, says a Lincoln Institute of Land Policy report.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 18, 2023

Cities turn to cameras to cut traffic deaths

Cameras and other sensors that detect speeding and red-light running are helping to cut deaths and injuries, but the technology comes with a checkered past and concerns about privacy and equity.

By Dan Zukowski • July 18, 2023

The 5 smart-city priorities in San Antonio’s new road map

The smart cities team used a lengthy process of community input to identify the priorities for innovative applications of data and technology. Creating community buy-in is essential, the team leaders say.

By Joan Mooney • July 14, 2023

Extreme heat: What federal officials want cities to know

As more cities look to combat the perils of extreme heat, evaluating strategies’ effectiveness and scaling up the ones that work remain a challenge, federal officials say.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 13, 2023

‘Amazingly high’ air pollution near Houston chemical plants gets EPA monitoring support

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s support adds weight to potential recommendations the city could make for state industrial emissions regulation, said the Houston Health Department’s chief environmental science officer.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 12, 2023

Los Angeles’ car-free ‘park block’ pilot aims for cleaner air and safer neighborhood streets

The city plans to reroute traffic and create public spaces where roads are closed, following in the footsteps of Barcelona's successful "superblock" program.

By Joan Mooney • July 10, 2023

DOT offers $3.35B in grants to reconnect communities, improve neighborhood access and equity

The grants can be used for planning and capital construction and for regional partnerships to help restore communities previously cut off by transportation infrastructure.

By Dan Zukowski • July 10, 2023

Shared e-scooter program expanding to reach 600K Queens residents in New York

The city should further expand the program to allow cross-borough travel, said the founder of urban mobility company Brightside.

By Kalena Thomhave • July 6, 2023

In the Bronx, a battle over bus lanes

New York City decided last week not to go forward with a proposed busway that would restrict access for private vehicles on a busy road.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Sept. 25, 2023

California greenlights $4.3B funding for energy efficiency, targets underserved and rural communities

The funding will support energy efficiency efforts from 2024 through 2027. Regulators also approved a forecasted budget of another $4.6 billion from 2028 through 2031.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 5, 2023

Pedestrian deaths hit 41-year high in 2022 with more than 7,500 killed

“Nothing seems to be changing,” said a Governors Highway Safety Association official, as pedestrian deaths continue to climb. 

By Dan Zukowski • June 22, 2023

Extreme heat is changing the structure of local governance

For Los Angeles Chief Heat Officer Marta Segura, “un-siloing, coordinating and collaborating, and building plans with other departments” has been a big part of the work.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 16, 2023

Land-use reform efforts could bring 135K new homes to downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood

To address its acute housing shortage, the city is allowing greater housing density, relaxing parking requirements and creating affordable housing incentives and mandates in updates to decades-old community plans.

By Kalena Thomhave • June 12, 2023

When climate disasters strike, how can cities evacuate people who don’t have cars?

"There's not a place in this country” where everyone has a car, said the deputy director of the new federally funded Center for Equitable Transit-Oriented Communities, and emergency planners must meet carless residents’ needs.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 12, 2023

Get old cars off the road to protect vulnerable California communities, report urges

“The state must commit to retiring the dirtiest vehicles on the road,” said one of the report’s authors.

By Dan Zukowski • June 9, 2023

Houston, DOJ reach settlement over alleged environmental justice violations in illegal dumping case

Houston agreed to a $17.8 million cleanup plan with the Department of Justice. Some residents applauded the development, but others worry it won’t lead to long-term changes.

By Megan Quinn • June 9, 2023

Deadly winter storm caught Buffalo, New York, on its heels, but city can do better next time: report

The storm disproportionately resulted in the deaths of people of color, and the city did not have enough emergency vehicles, storage or warming centers, says the report commissioned by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 9, 2023

Affordable housing bill vetoed by Colorado governor, sparking backlash from legislators

The bill’s co-sponsors clapped back, claiming in a statement that Gov. Jared Polis had kowtowed to special interests at the last minute.

By Michael Brady • June 8, 2023

‘Street crisis team’ aims to curb police involvement in homelessness response in San Francisco

Decreasing police use can reduce cycles of incarceration, which are expensive for cities and harm people experiencing homelessness, said a public health expert.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 7, 2023

Boston commuter rail lines need overhaul, advocates say, as transit agency tackles safety, financial issues

Electric, regional rail would be “an absolute game changer,” says a rail expert, but even 2020 cost estimates top $40 billion, and the MBTA is still recovering from safety failures and revenue shortfalls.

By Dan Zukowski • June 6, 2023