Wildfires that burn buildings and vehicles may produce more toxic smoke than those in the wilderness

The emissions pose a “unique threat to public health,” since these fires may burn close to populated areas, warn researchers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 5, 2023

EPA launches $7B program to fund solar development in low-income and disadvantaged communities

The agency will assess proposals on several metrics, including whether they produce at least 20% bill savings, provide resilience benefits during power outages and support workforce development.

By Ethan Howland • June 30, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Massachusetts city mandates net-zero emissions for some large buildings by 2035

Cambridge, Massachusetts, touted its new requirements as the most aggressive in the country, as building performance standards emerge as a key tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 30, 2023

Coastal cities are sinking as sea levels are rising, increasing flood risks

Individual communities are limited in their ability to stop either phenomenon, experts say, but governments can take steps to minimize the flooding that might result.

By Adina Solomon • June 28, 2023

New York City’s long-awaited commercial waste zones take key step forward

The country's largest commercial waste market is heading toward its most significant change in decades. Supporters hope it will boost recycling rates, lower vehicle emissions and offer more transparent customer service.

By Cole Rosengren • June 27, 2023

‘Dead trees all over the city’: Where tree-planting efforts go wrong

As federal funds flow toward urban forestry, collaboration with residents and appropriate technical expertise can lead to more tree-planting success, one researcher says.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 27, 2023

US will need to triple building retrofit rate to meet decarbonization targets: report

The report urges building owners and occupiers to strengthen their relationships, upskill the labor force and electrify major building systems to avoid a “brown discount” on lease negotiations.

By Joe Burns • June 26, 2023

Over 100K contaminated sites may be threatened by rising groundwater, researchers warn

Humans and ecosystems across the U.S. could be exposed to severe health risks if rising groundwater causes the migration of contaminants such as heavy metals and petroleum products.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 26, 2023

Phoenix water conservation policy targets future development

Southwestern cities vary in their approaches to water conservation, from regulations to incentives. Phoenix’s recently adopted policy charts a middle path, a city water official said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 23, 2023

To improve multifamily housing energy efficiency and resiliency, HUD offers $4.8B for retrofits

The first round of the $4.8 billion GRRP covers upgrades for 28 rent-assisted properties.

By Mary Salmonsen • June 22, 2023

To build climate resilience, NOAA announces $575M for coastal, Great Lakes communities

The grants, which come from the Inflation Reduction Act, do not require matching funds, and recipients will have up to five years to spend the money.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 20, 2023

Air taxis are coming soon. Zoning and regulatory authorities are not ready.

Air taxis, also known as eVTOL aircraft, could come to major cities as soon as 2025, but few local governments have policies for new vertiports, says a Mineta Transportation Institute report. 

By Dan Zukowski • June 20, 2023

When wildfires hit, homes built under fire-resistant codes are surviving. Communities are noticing.

Building code changes resulted in more saved homes in the 2018 Camp Fire in California. With more frequent, intense wildfires likely, Western communities are taking a look but hearing concerns about costs and property rights.

By Amanda Loudin • June 16, 2023

Extreme heat is changing the structure of local governance

For Los Angeles Chief Heat Officer Marta Segura, “un-siloing, coordinating and collaborating, and building plans with other departments” has been a big part of the work.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 16, 2023

New York leaders see a role for composting and codigestion as the city scales up organics recycling

With New York City making curbside organics separation and collection mandatory, city leaders face complex decisions about the fate of New York's organic waste.

By Jacob Wallace • June 15, 2023

To reduce carbon footprint of existing buildings, Seattle proposes new standards

Mayor Bruce Harrell called the legislation “among the most impactful proposals [the city] can advance to reduce emissions.”

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 15, 2023

New York City rebuilds $16.6M corridor with permeable concrete

As a result of new stormwater rules, the city will require green infrastructure in other, similar-sized projects going forward.

By Matthew Thibault • June 14, 2023

California’s urban roofs provide more value for community solar+storage than rural areas: report

State and federal incentives could help “ensure that not all of our community solar is getting built in the cheapest areas out in rural locations,” said a solar developer’s Western policy director.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 13, 2023

New York City Housing Authority says heating system improvements reduced outages by 9%

New York City’s upgrades are just some of many taking place in municipalities across the country, with others also using energy performance contracts to save money to fund future installations.

By Joe Burns • June 12, 2023

When climate disasters strike, how can cities evacuate people who don’t have cars?

"There's not a place in this country” where everyone has a car, said the deputy director of the new federally funded Center for Equitable Transit-Oriented Communities, and emergency planners must meet carless residents’ needs.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 12, 2023

New York City Council passes major zero waste package, including mandatory organics program

The five-bill package passed with high levels of support on Thursday and is expected to become law. The bills also include requirements around recycling drop-off centers and waste diversion reporting.

By Cole Rosengren • June 9, 2023

Get old cars off the road to protect vulnerable California communities, report urges

“The state must commit to retiring the dirtiest vehicles on the road,” said one of the report’s authors.

By Dan Zukowski • June 9, 2023

Houston, DOJ reach settlement over alleged environmental justice violations in illegal dumping case

Houston agreed to a $17.8 million cleanup plan with the Department of Justice. Some residents applauded the development, but others worry it won’t lead to long-term changes.

By Megan Quinn • June 9, 2023

Deadly winter storm caught Buffalo, New York, on its heels, but city can do better next time: report

The storm disproportionately resulted in the deaths of people of color, and the city did not have enough emergency vehicles, storage or warming centers, says the report commissioned by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 9, 2023

Building performance standards becoming key climate policy in US cities: report

The number of jurisdictions adopting standards has nearly doubled since 2020, with legislation enacted in three states and nine localities, says a new report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 6, 2023