Whole Foods’ controversial exit from a Chicago neighborhood, explained

The chain’s experience in the Englewood community highlights the opportunities and pitfalls grocers can face in areas with limited access to affordable and healthy foods.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Feb. 3, 2023

US DOT awards $800M toward street safety

The allocation comes from the first funding round of the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, part of the 2021 infrastructure law.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 1, 2023

EV transition not keeping pace with US climate goals: report

Gas-powered cars need tighter regulations for the U.S. to meet its 2030 emissions target, while not enough urban charging or utility upgrades could constrain electrification, one report author said.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 31, 2023

Black and Latino-majority cities are key ‘to finding a real world Wakanda’: report

Combined Black and Latino-majority cities may have “greater opportunities to improve local prosperity through shared initiatives,” according to a Brookings Institution report.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 27, 2023

El Paso to reconnect neighborhoods divided by highway with deck plaza

The Texas city will work with Stantec on the design and planning for a downtown public space with regional amenities over Interstate 10, which might also be widened as part of the project.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 25, 2023

Cost of proposed San Francisco commuter, high-speed rail tunnel grows to $6.7B

The 1.3-mile tunnel would bring commuter trains to the downtown transit center, but pre-pandemic ridership hasn't returned along the line.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 24, 2023

Transit agencies agree to share certification of minority contractors

Chicago and Philadelphia’s reciprocal arrangement for disadvantaged businesses could become a national model, organizers say.

By Julie Strupp • Jan. 19, 2023

Nearly all US mayors worry about climate change’s local effects: report

Mayors said their regulatory powers, especially building codes and zoning, are their most effective tools to address climate change. But they are reluctant to limit residents’ behavior or the use of old technology.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 19, 2023

Why drone delivery hasn’t taken flight in the US

The Federal Aviation Administration this year will propose new regulations, including changes to visual line of sight requirements to support greater drone use, a federal official said.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 17, 2023

4 trends that could shape smart cities in 2023

These overarching trends affect the decisions communities are making around transportation design, street space, housing and revitalizing downtowns that have struggled with fewer office workers.

By Smart Cities Dive Team • Jan. 13, 2023

Transit agencies must consider land use and new travel patterns, transportation officials say

New travel patterns driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and remote and hybrid work are forcing transit agencies to reconsider their planning and operations, transportation officials said at the Transportation Research Board's Annual Meeting.

By Charles Pekow • Jan. 12, 2023

Michigan chief mobility officer: ‘States need to write the playbook’ on EV charging

States could ease the EV charging rollout by helping local governments update regulations and institute best practices, panelists said at CES.

By Michael Brady • Jan. 10, 2023

Updating local regulations may ease EV charging rollout

Improved regulations make it easier for developers to “know what they’re getting into,” said one transportation planner.

By Kalena Thomhave • Jan. 4, 2023

13 predictions about the trends that will shape smart cities in 2023

Cities will get smarter about transportation infrastructure needs, continue to rethink the use of downtown spaces and look at where data can help inform various operations, readers said.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 3, 2023

10 conversations in 2022 on the future of mobility, high-speed rail, resilience and more

Smart Cities Dive caught up with executives from businesses including GM and Replica; officials from Austin, Oakland and other cities; and leaders from the U.S. Congress and Ukraine.

Jan. 3, 2023

As e-bike fires rise, calls grow for education and regulation

Some point to cheap aftermarket batteries as the primary factor in e-bike and e-scooter battery fires and worry that micromobility device storage bans will set back transportation decarbonization efforts.

By Dan Rosenbaum • Dec. 22, 2022

Jersey City to fund community projects based on resident feedback

Local officials said the New Jersey city’s first participatory budgeting pilot worked better than expected, allowing them to understand residents’ priorities.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 20, 2022

Minneapolis creates working group to revitalize downtown storefronts

The working group aims to bring vibrancy back to downtown retailers after many businesses switched to remote or hybrid work models at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Danielle McLean • Dec. 16, 2022

Remote work, quality of life lure tech workers away from traditional hubs

Digital transformation means a more dispersed workforce and the rise of burgeoning tech hubs.

By Matt Ashare • Dec. 16, 2022

Boston city council approves reparation commission

Boston joins a growing number of cities and states that are exploring reparation payments. The panel will research the city’s historical ties to slavery and recommend how it can make amends for its past.

By Danielle McLean • Dec. 15, 2022

Successful micromobility programs require long-term partnerships, panelists say

Cities are increasingly working on more collaborative, long-term operating agreements that are flexible but hold operators to a high standard, one panelist said during a webinar hosted by the Eno Center for Transportation.

By Charles Pekow • Dec. 14, 2022

NYC launching citywide office to coordinate and improve community engagement

The office is tasked with using community engagement to inform policy and program decisions and supporting “community-driven solutions,” the city said.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 14, 2022

Are owner-occupancy requirements driving up housing costs?

Rules that require property owners to live in the homes they purchase can reduce the availability of rental housing and result in more racial and economic segregation, say affordable housing advocates and researchers.

By Karen Kroll • Dec. 12, 2022

Chicago transit users could see fare hikes, service cuts without new funding sources

In a newly-released draft strategic plan, the Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois lays out ways to reduce transit’s reliance on fares.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 9, 2022

Los Angeles and San Diego ban polystyrene foam, other plastic products, on same day

The policies fit into broader state and local laws limiting plastic products, completing an effort in San Diego that a lawsuit previously blocked. Los Angeles will also look to limit waste at city facilities and events.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 8, 2022