Governments are declaring racism a health crisis. What comes next?

Milwaukee County's 2019 resolution blazed a trail for more than 120 U.S. governments in denouncing racism. Now, leaders must look internally to prioritize equitable budgeting and employee training. 

By Cailin Crowe • Updated Oct. 6, 2020

Cities are one step closer to a LEED-like standard for waste management

After years of work, the SWEEP accreditation system is reaching a notable milestone. Those behind it hope to improve data standardization and drive sustainable materials management policies across the U.S.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Aug. 31, 2020

It's time to reimagine a greener New York that mitigates extreme heat

The city should invest in more green infrastructure like parks, green roofs and street trees to tackle the health effects of extreme heat that disproportionately impact communities of color. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 31, 2020

New resource aims to help cities improve data sharing across boundaries

US Ignite and the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions recommend smart cities pursue a common data-sharing approach.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 31, 2020

Revel returns to NYC streets with new safety features

After the deaths of three riders forced service to stop last month, the company said it is back with a mandatory in-app safety test and helmet selfie requirement, among other features. 

By Chris Teale • Aug. 28, 2020

Chicago outdoor dining challenge to help restaurants survive winter

The city is crowdsourcing design ideas for outdoor seating to help restaurants as winter approaches and the pandemic stretches on.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 27, 2020

Senate Democrats reveal climate plan to achieve net-zero carbon economy

The report calls on Congress to spend at least 2% of annual U.S. GDP on climate actions and require federal regulators to ensure publicly-traded companies disclose climate risks.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 27, 2020

GHSA calls for unified leadership on micromobility rules, safety

Local governments should be given as much flexibility as possible to regulate the devices and provide infrastructure for their safe use, the Governors Highway Safety Association reports. 

By Chris Teale • Aug. 27, 2020

Ransomware attacks 'raising the bar' as cities struggle to respond

Smart Cities Dive looked at the increasingly sophisticated methods hackers deploy to extort money and ways cities can better prepare.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 27, 2020

Rethinking the 20-minute city in light of police shootings, COVID-19

Although the concept of the "walkable" city is not new, the pandemic and protests against systemic racism present an opportunity for city leaders to incorporate a lens of racial equity into their neighborhood planning, according to Gensler's urban strategies and design leader. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 25, 2020

Pandemic has expedited digitization of government services: survey

Tight budgets, legacy systems and bureaucracy have historically prevented governments from going digital, but COVID-19 has tipped the scale for operations to move online. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 24, 2020

Louisiana governor puts state on path to net-zero emissions by 2050

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards established a task force through an executive order tasked with interim goals of reducing emissions 26-28% by 2025 and 40-50% by 2030.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 24, 2020

Uber, Lyft to stay in CA, sparing already limited mobility landscape

The companies will continue operating in the state after threatening to suspend service, nearly impacting more than 158,000 drivers and the riders who rely on ride-hailing due to curtailed transit. 

By Chris Teale • Aug. 21, 2020

Residents need a seat at the table when planning smart cities

By involving local users in the initial product selection and demonstrations prior to launch, barriers limiting residents’ use of smart city initiatives could be removed.

By Jared Mondschein • Aug. 20, 2020

HUD count likely underestimates homeless populations: GAO

The report highlights limitations of the Point-In-Time count and recommends that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development strengthen its oversight of the data collection process. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 19, 2020

Illinois' $5M bet to increase mask-wearing among residents

The awareness campaign is based on public opinion research and emphasizes the responsibility of mask-wearing by comparing it to using a seat belt. 

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 19, 2020

Gilbert, AZ gets creative with its digital strategy during COVID-19

The town has kicked its digital planning into high gear, tapping new tactics for routine operations like using augmented reality for building inspections and TikTok for information-sharing.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 18, 2020

Black households are bearing the brunt of rental crisis

Thirty-one percent of Black renters reported they were unable to pay rent in July compared to 28% of Latinx renters and 14% of White renters, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-CA, said during a virtual town hall. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 17, 2020

Seattle approves minimum wage plan for ride-hailing drivers

It is the second city in the nation to mandate a minimum wage for drivers, requiring compensation of at least $16.39 an hour beginning on Jan. 1.

By Chris Teale • Updated Sept. 30, 2020

Mayors push back on 'defund the police' movement, urge increased social services spending

The U.S. Conference of Mayors Working Group on Police Reform and Racial Justice urged departments to rethink how officers are held accountable and focus on building relationships with the communities they police.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 14, 2020

Fauci displeased with COVID response, DC Mayor Bowser decries 'patchwork of guidance'

On a Thursday webinar, the government's top infectious disease expert said the country could be in a good place within a year if residents follow public health guidelines.

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 14, 2020

Michigan to build first-in-nation AV corridor from Detroit to Ann Arbor

The 40-mile corridor for driverless and connected vehicle testing and deployment will be led by a subsidiary of Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners in partnership with the state.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 14, 2020

Police reform is key to addressing 37% spike in city homicides: CCJ

Homicides will likely continue without subduing the pandemic and implementing effective police reforms and violence-reduction strategies, according to a report by The Council on Criminal Justice.

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 13, 2020

Can health and safety efforts save ride-hailing post-pandemic?

Companies are adopting new ways to bolster riders' confidence, but the industry may struggle to recover if health concerns linger or labor issues expand.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 12, 2020

Census count to end Oct. 15

The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration can end counting early for the 2020 census, approving the suspension of a lower court decision that had extended the count deadline. 

By Cailin Crowe • Updated Oct. 14, 2020