Governance: Page 23


  • portland
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    Zykov, Aleksandr. (2020). "Portland" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    The end of another Sidewalk Labs-linked project highlights smart city sticking point

    Portland Metro dropped its initiative with data platform Replica over privacy disagreements, a common obstacle that experts say local leaders can learn from.  

    By Cailin Crowe • March 11, 2021
  • Smart Growth America Dangerous by Design overpass waiting
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    Courtesy of Steve Davis/Smart Growth America
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    Calls for safer streets intensify amid 45% spike in pedestrian deaths

    More than 53,400 people were killed by drivers over the past decade, Smart Growth America reports, with one expert blaming state and local governments for poor street designs.

    By Chris Teale • March 10, 2021
  • Cincinnati Innovation District tower room
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    Permission granted by Cincinnati Innovation District
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    Cincinnati Innovation District serves as model for Ohio cities

    The innovation district, which just celebrated its first anniversary, has already inspired similar hubs in Columbus and Cleveland and has made headway on its goal to create $3 billion in economic impact.

    By Chris Teale • March 9, 2021
  • National Safety Council crash photo
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    Retrieved from National Safety Council on March 05, 2021
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    Vehicle deaths reached 13-year high in 2020: National Safety Council

    U.S. roadways saw a dramatic increase in fatalities despite a pandemic-fueled drop in driving, renewing calls to embrace "life-saving" vehicle technologies.

    By Chris Teale • March 8, 2021
  • Archer flying car Los Angeles
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    Courtesy of Archer
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    Archer to expand air taxi network to Miami

    Mayor Francis Suarez says the service, which is set to launch in 2024, will help people navigate water-locked areas and improve congestion. 

    By Chris Teale • Updated March 10, 2021
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    Getty Images
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    US infrastructure funding gap swells to $2.6 trillion: ASCE

    A 'C-' rating across 17 areas of infrastructure is a slight jump from a 'D+' grade in 2017 given by the American Society of Civil Engineers. But leaders say more needs to be done at the federal level to close a 10-year investment lag.

    By Chris Teale • March 4, 2021
  • House Democrats clear pathway to 100% clean energy by 2035

    The bill would require economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050, targeting transportation electrification, environmental justice and building efficiency. 

    By Catherine Morehouse • March 3, 2021
  • Kansas City, MO asphalt art
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    Courtesy of Bloomberg Philanthropies
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    Up to 20 cities to improve street safety by turning asphalt into art

    Bloomberg Philanthropies' Asphalt Art Initiative, now in its second year, will provide each city with up to $25,000 to improve street safety and revitalize public spaces with murals.

    By Chris Teale • March 3, 2021
  • The debate over EV charging at interstate rest stops

    NATSO said allowing electric chargers is the "wrong signal" from Congress, while advocates tout the need to modernize Eisenhower-era rules and provide parking.

    By Jim Stinson • March 2, 2021
  • Los Angeles LA skyline
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    Andrew. (2011). "Los Angeles" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against LADOT data sharing requirements

    Two Los Angeles scooter riders sued over the city's Mobility Data Specifications, citing privacy and unreasonable search concerns. But the case was dismissed, clearing a path forward for the requirement. 

    By Chris Teale • March 1, 2021
  • Capitol Hill
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    The image by Андрей Бобровский is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    Senate passes American Rescue Plan, preserves local aid

    Senators kept the $350 billion in direct relief for state and local governments, sending the bill back to the House where it is expected to pass quickly.

    By Chris Teale • Updated March 8, 2021
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    Getty Images
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    USPS to continue purchasing gas vehicles, despite Biden all-electric pledge

    The postal service says the procurement allows for flexibility, and hinted at the ability to "retrofit" some vehicles. But EV advocates say "this will lock USPS into an outdated technology for many years."

    By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2021
  • san diego coast
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    McDonald, Chad. (2016). "Up Up and away" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Resilient Cities Catalyst to tackle California's compounding crises

    The group, born out of the 100 Resilient Cities initiative, launched the public-philanthropic California Resilience Partnership to address challenges stemming from racial injustice, climate change and the pandemic.

    By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 24, 2021
  • What UK's Uber ruling could mean for the global gig economy

    The decision to classify Uber drivers as workers could have global implications, particularly in labor-friendly countries poised to take up similar cases.

    By Chris Teale • Feb. 23, 2021
  • America Is All In co-chairs and federal leaders
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    Screenshot via America Is All In

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    Climate leaders go 'all in' to halve emissions by 2030

    The new "America Is All In" coalition of U.S. communities, businesses and institutions, has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 with support from the federal government. 

    By Chris Teale • Feb. 22, 2021
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    Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners
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    Georgia smart city living lab unveils 5G incubator

    Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners partnered with T-Mobile and Georgia Tech to help developers build test cases for 5G technology like drones and robotics. 

    By Chris Teale • Feb. 19, 2021
  • Bob Bennett at Wyandotte, KS COVID vaccine site
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    Courtesy of B2 Civic Solutions
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    A smart city consultant takes the lead on a county's vaccine rollout

    Former Kansas City, MO Chief Innovation Officer Bob Bennett oversees vaccines for Wyandotte County, KS, and is using his 'smart city' experience for an efficient, equitable distribution.

    By Chris Teale • Feb. 18, 2021
  • Transit operator assault illustration
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    Yujin Kim/Smart Cities Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Transit workers face growing rate of assaults: 'There's not much we can do'

    Some transit operators are asking for reassignments off the frontlines as they face increasingly violent threats from frustrated riders amid COVID-19.

    By Chris Teale • Feb. 17, 2021
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    The image by EFF Photos is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Minneapolis bans facial recognition to dismay of city police

    The Minneapolis City Council passed a surveillance ordinance that police say was "crafted and approved without any consideration" from the department.

    By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 17, 2021
  • Miami vies for the title of 'Bitcoin City'

    Along with proposing the use of cryptocurrency in city governance, Mayor Francis Suarez introduced Venture Miami and appointed the city's first VC-in-residence — all in a matter of days.

    By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 16, 2021
  • A man looks at lines of code depicted on a computer screen
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    sestovic via Getty Images
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    Security flaws enabled Tampa-area water utility hack

    Authorities found poor security hygiene — weak passwords and an outdated operating system — played a role in the hack. 

    By Samantha Schwartz • Updated Feb. 12, 2021
  • police pandemic
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    Barnes, Elvert. (2021). "IMG_8075" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Police departments face scrutiny for COVID relief spending

    From Honolulu to Grand Rapids, MI, city police departments are under the microscope for potentially controversial purchases with pandemic relief dollars.

    By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 9, 2021
  • At ShotSpotter's Incident Review Center, three people sit in a row facing up to six computer monitors each, with keyboards and phones on the desks in front of them.
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    Courtesy of Shot Spotter
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    Oakland, CA to reconsider 'totally unproven' ShotSpotter tech

    Oakland Privacy Commission Chair Brian Hofer says he recognizes some benefits of ShotSpotter, such as getting police to crime scenes faster — but he isn’t so sure it’s worth the money.

    By Kate Kaye • Feb. 9, 2021
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    Kendall Davis/Smart Cities Dive
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    Podcast

    City Surveillance Watch: Setting Guardrails

    In the final episode of this three-part series, reporter Kate Kaye assesses existing government policy and law for surveillance tech. (Spoiler: there isn’t much.)

    By Kate Kaye • Feb. 8, 2021
  • Populus Maas
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    Courtesy of Populus
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    Transit agencies must play lead role in MaaS growth: report

    Populus said while the public sector can take advantage of efforts to integrate transportation in one place, they must ensure systems are interoperable and beneficial for residents.

    By Chris Teale • Feb. 8, 2021