Denver turns to 'safe parking' program as homelessness strategy

Colorado's capital city will use American Rescue Plan dollars for a program supporting people who are living in personal vehicles as it seeks to reduce unsheltered homelessness by 50% between 2022 and 2026.

By Jason Plautz • March 16, 2022

Before the war, Ukraine was working to become the IT hub of Europe

Over the past two years, Ukraine digitized many of its government services and turned its focus toward attracting global tech leaders. The work will continue after the war, a Ukrainian official said at the conference.

By Danielle McLean • March 15, 2022

Congress and White House open the flow of public transportation funds

Passage of the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending package releases funds under the bipartisan infrastructure law, while federal transit awards unlock hundreds of millions to support operations from New York City to San Francisco. 

By Dan Zukowski • March 15, 2022

Biden touts direct municipal aid in ARPA, infrastructure law at NLC conference

Administration officials on Monday urged the implementation of funds for transportation, public health and other critical needs. City leaders discussed challenges with accessing grants and the need for more proactive spending.

By Maria Rachal • March 15, 2022

Providence pursues next steps toward reparations

Rhode Island’s capital is considering reparation payments, a process the mayor said, "brings us another step closer to addressing the disparities our African heritage and Indigenous residents continue to face."

By Austyn Gaffney • March 11, 2022

As US homeownership surges, Black families still left behind

The homeownership rate jumped a record 1.3% in 2020, the National Association of Realtors reports. But racial disparities persist, "and only race-conscious remedies can fix that,” a National Fair Housing Alliance official said.

By Danielle McLean • March 10, 2022

5 key ways cities have spent pandemic relief funds: NLC

As the world marks the pandemic's second anniversary, the National League of Cities shares updated data on how 800 cities have allocated and spent the historic influx of federal relief funds.

By Cailin Crowe • March 10, 2022

Atlanta embraces tactical urbanism in Vision Zero initiative

As the city looks for top-down changes to eliminate traffic deaths, officials are encouraging temporary and low-cost solutions driven by neighborhood residents. 

By Jason Plautz • March 9, 2022

Federal Highway Administration advances Complete Streets program

In the face of rising traffic deaths among pedestrians and bicyclists, Complete Streets will be the "default funding" for most roadways.

By Dan Zukowski • March 8, 2022

The latest front for smart city tech? Rat control

Somerville, Massachusetts, is piloting new rodent control technology. “We wanted to look into ways we could automate the system, collect more data and target our efforts a little more efficiently," the city's "rat czar" said.

By Cailin Crowe • March 8, 2022

Fullerton, California, to fund smart city projects with energy savings

The $8.4 million energy efficiency project is expected to save the city $12.1 million and support the implementation of technology like LED streetlights. 

By Cailin Crowe • March 7, 2022

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.

By Andrea Facini • March 7, 2022

DC cash payment program improved mental health, food security: report

The effort distributed $5,500 in direct cash payments to nearly 600 low-income D.C. residents. It highlights the benefits of unrestricted cash payment or guaranteed income programs, an Urban Institute report concluded. 

By Danielle McLean • Feb. 28, 2022

California's $15 minimum wage begins this year. Debate on the next increase has already begun.

Advocates say the change is needed to keep up with living costs, but one management-side attorney said municipal governments may struggle to adapt.

By Ryan Golden • Feb. 25, 2022

Philadelphia maps out its first-ever digital equity plan

The five-year plan aims to target the digital divide with certain smart city solutions, including piloting the use of city assets like transportation infrastructure and street furniture to enable new fixed wireless networks.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 23, 2022

Small cities seek to compete for historic infrastructure funds

Under new White House guidance, smaller communities, like Mount Vernon, Washington, may have an easier time applying for grant funding.

By Austyn Gaffney • Feb. 17, 2022

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.  

By Antonio Tijerino • Feb. 16, 2022

Sheltered homelessness down 8% amid COVID emergency measures: HUD report

Advocates say the decrease in people experiencing homelessness shows the need for permanent government aid. 

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 15, 2022

Two years out, transportation leaders reflect on pandemic changes

Faced with a drastic loss of riders and revenues in early 2020, transit executives refocused their planning around equity, economics and community engagement, they said in a recent webinar.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 15, 2022

Local leaders offer incentives to boost public engagement in city planning

Cities are offering gift cards, checks, food and services to residents to achieve more equitable participation in planning. But true engagement needs to be more than transactional, community organizers say.

By Danielle McLean • Feb. 15, 2022

Replica CEO talks data privacy and lessons learned from Portland Metro project

As the world nears the two-year anniversary of pandemic lockdowns, Nick Bowden discusses how COVID-19 has impacted urban planning and offers advice for city leaders to respond with privacy-friendly data practices. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 14, 2022

To confront gun violence, San Jose, California, tries requiring insurance

The city, which has seen three mass shootings in three years, is one of several localities to try new approaches to prevent gun violence with the help of new funding from the Biden administration. 

By Austyn Gaffney • Feb. 10, 2022

To prevent evictions, cities should take a multifaceted approach, NLC report says

A new National League of Cities report says cities can tailor eviction policies to meet the unique needs of their communities with interventions such as legal and financial assistance, hotlines, and resources.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 7, 2022

San Francisco mayor proposes loosening landmark surveillance ordinance

The proposal aims to provide law enforcement with real-time access to camera footage in a bid to address increased rates of crime. But privacy experts caution it would result in significant civil liberties consequences. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 4, 2022

NYC mayor reshapes climate approach to put environmental justice at the fore

Climate progress requires "driving resilience, decarbonization, and environmental justice into daily city operations," said the city's newly appointed chief climate officer, a C40 Cities and Sidewalk Labs alum.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 3, 2022