These local governments are blazing the trail for cryptocurrency adoption

From New York to Williston, North Dakota, some municipalities aim to integrate crypto into their operations, in part to attract tech-savvy businesses. But obstacles like fluctuating regulatory environments stand in the way.

By Karen Kroll • Feb. 2, 2022

Smart Cities Dive 2022 Outlook

In the year ahead, city leaders will continue preparing for the electrification of cars, buses and buildings, while also tackling the complex challenges of crime, growing inequities, labor shortages and extreme weather.

Feb. 2, 2022

Resilience work expands as definition and dollars do, too

The pandemic made it impossible to ignore how connected social and environmental challenges are in cities, while also illuminating the need for partnership within and among local governments, resilience advisers say.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 31, 2022

In the push for equitable and transparent governance, more cities turn to data

The proportion of cities using data to monitor and analyze progress on key goals has more than doubled in the past six years, a marked difference from almost a decade ago, when the push began for more data-informed decisions.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 28, 2022

Connected vehicle tech at impasse as NTSB, FCC fight over spectrum issues

Two federal agencies can't agree on data communications spectrum needs for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications that experts say will save lives.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 28, 2022

8 trends shaping cities in 2022

Cities continue to confront challenges surrounding the pandemic, the climate crisis, rising inequality and public safety this year.

By Cailin Crowe, Danielle McLean, Maria Rachal, Dan Zukowski and Jason Plautz • Jan. 26, 2022

It's been 3 years since Microsoft pledged to tackle Seattle's housing crisis. Here's where the effort stands.

Microsoft unveiled its Affordable Housing Initiative in 2019 to respond to the area housing crunch, which was heightened by tech workers. So far, it's resulted in the creation or preservation of about 9,200 housing units, it says. 

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 26, 2022

DC to provide new mothers with monthly cash payments

Programs like the federal Child Tax Credit and universal basic income pilots have shown the power of direct cash assistance, but the initiatives still face limitations.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 24, 2022

Philadelphia's smart streetlight pilot aims to emphasize transparency

After learning in part from San Diego's controversial smart streetlight program, Philadelphia's year-long pilot includes a number of measures to protect resident privacy while building trust about how the data will be used.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 21, 2022

White House urges states to name infrastructure coordinators

To help smooth the rollout of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, White House Senior Infrastructure Advisor Mitch Landrieu suggested that task forces can help state leaders voice their needs.

By Zachary Phillips • Jan. 19, 2022

San Francisco becomes latest city to reverse course and increase police budget

With the mayor declaring a state of emergency over crime and drug overdose rates, San Francisco is the latest city to backtrack on calls for police budget cuts. What does this retrenchment mean for police reform, public safety?

By Austyn Gaffney • Jan. 19, 2022

Most mayors feel they lack control over homelessness: survey

A majority of U.S. mayors believe they are being held accountable to address homelessness, but only 19% feel they have substantial control over the issue, according to a Menino Survey of Mayors report.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 18, 2022

The pitfalls of place-based revitalization in Atlanta, San Diego: reports

Revitalization efforts in disinvested communities can result in two opposing results: They can contribute to gentrification or leave neighborhoods as impoverished as when the initiatives started, the Urban Institute reports.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 14, 2022

Ahead of annual nationwide homelessness count, cities are turning to an app for help

Houston and Kansas City, Missouri, are among the cities using the Counting Us app to help tally their unsheltered and sheltered homeless populations this month.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 12, 2022

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg praises smart city innovation at CES

In a virtual address last week, Buttigieg said he anticipates that cities will be built on connected technology and guided by government policy that encourages collaboration, experimentation and support for workers.  

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 10, 2022

12 predictions about the trends that will shape smart cities in 2022

As local leaders continue to adapt to the tremendous changes that the past year brought, industry players share how they anticipate cities will evolve.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 5, 2022

Older adults turn to technology during an ‘epidemic of loneliness’

The pandemic kick-started local efforts to get more older adults online with the help of federal broadband investments to bridge the digital divide.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 4, 2022

Q&A's from 2021 that spotlight 13 smart cities voices

Revisit the year's one-on-one conversations, including with tech and climate leaders in Honolulu, Phoenix and San Diego and with execs at Revel, Veo and Drop Mobility.

Dec. 23, 2021

To cut traffic deaths, safety groups call for an approach that factors in human error

The USDOT is expected to put out the first National Roadway Safety Strategy in January. Can safety officials, law enforcement, automakers and government regulators agree on how to stop the surge in traffic fatalities?

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 21, 2021

To correct 'unsustainable' rental market, 'all of the above' policy needed: report

As cities weigh strategies like rent control and legal assistance for renters, a new report finds little agreement among tenants and property owners. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 20, 2021

Seattle's regional transit system adopts plans for more equitable service

The King County Council unanimously approved a series of long-range plans that will expand service for underrepresented communities, a shift from its historic focus on serving commuters and suburban riders.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 16, 2021

Living wage ordinances' greatest effect may be on public opinion

The living wage movement fought to boost pay for city contractor employees. These efforts had limited community effects, but they likely laid the groundwork for today’s movement toward higher minimum wages, researchers said.

By Adina Solomon • Dec. 13, 2021

Boston's new chief of streets to steer city beyond car-centric transportation

Former city CIO Jascha Franklin-Hodge will begin the role in January, aiming to support the sustainable transportation ideas that recently elected Mayor Wu campaigned on, including fare-free bus routes. 

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 10, 2021

New York's mayor-elect faces calls for cleaner streets, modernized waste systems

The city's sidewalks are infamous for mountains of garbage bags. A new "Put Waste to Work" campaign offers a rethink of curbside waste management design and calls for more accessible, higher-tech compost systems.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 6, 2021

As infrastructure funds begin to flow, climate, safety, equity impacts are not enough, some say

With most Transportation Department infrastructure funding going to roads and bridges, the money could perpetuate practices that fail to address certain key fronts, critics say.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 2, 2021