Boston commuter rail lines need overhaul, advocates say, as transit agency tackles safety, financial issues

Electric, regional rail would be “an absolute game changer,” says a rail expert, but even 2020 cost estimates top $40 billion, and the MBTA is still recovering from safety failures and revenue shortfalls.

By Dan Zukowski • June 6, 2023

Urban agriculture offers food, climate, cooling benefits — and can pay for itself: report

However, such projects face workforce development challenges and competition for land, say authors of a report presented last week to a San Antonio City Council subcommittee.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 2, 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

Wildfire ‘smelling sensors’ could help first responders protect at-risk communities

A new initiative in Oakland, California, is part of a larger Homeland Security Department effort to understand the potential of environmental sensors.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 1, 2023

Without chief heat officers, how can smaller cities respond to extreme heat?

“Not every community can afford to have a full-time chief heat officer, so what is the structure that works for smaller and medium-sized communities?” a University of Arizona researcher asked.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 31, 2023

$400M for low-emission school buses available from EPA grant program

The zero- and low-emission school bus funding has a “particular focus on reducing air pollution in disadvantaged communities overburdened by dirty air," said David Cash, EPA New England regional administrator.

By Stephen Singer • May 31, 2023

Greenhouse gas emissions tracking project addresses ‘flawed’ approach cities use now, researchers say

City Climate Intelligence can provide free, near-real-time information on greenhouse gas emissions at the city, neighborhood, building and street level.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 26, 2023

Utility plan to build 460 EV fast-charging stations in Colorado angers retailers, other charging proponents

Gas stations, convenience store owners and other businesses say Xcel Energy's plan to own chargers makes it less likely they will install them.

By Robert Walton • May 26, 2023

With $200M for electric vehicles, Minnesota aims to boost ownership, charging infrastructure

To increase EV adoption in the state, the new state budget provides consumer rebates, auto dealer grants and more funds for the statewide EV charging network.

By Dan Zukowski • May 25, 2023

NYC region faces significant health inequities: report

All decisions made in the region, from building more housing to expanding highways, affect public health outcomes, one of the report's authors said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 24, 2023

Collecting data to support energy-burdened communities poses unique challenges, experts say

Census data isn’t collected often enough to reflect neighborhood demographic shifts, and asking communities to self-report can present additional burdens, panelists said at a clean energy summit.

By Diana DiGangi • May 24, 2023

The ‘infrastructure decade’ is here, but challenges loom for local governments at the helm

“Money is flowing, grant applications are live, private capital is ready to move. But there are real constraints to achieving public goals,” Brookings Metro Senior Fellow Adie Tomer said at an event last week.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 23, 2023

In San Jose, city climate plans must have ‘the cool factor’

After winning a national climate leadership award, the city’s chief sustainability officer discussed how libraries can win over electric stove skeptics and how house parties might boost community engagement.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 22, 2023

Most of US faces elevated risk of blackouts in extreme heat this summer, NERC warns

All areas are expected to have adequate resources for normal summer peak load, but extreme weather could create widespread challenges, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. said Wednesday.

By Robert Walton • May 19, 2023

How a federal program meant to help communities buy zero-emission buses instead favors fossil fuels: report

A legal requirement added to the Federal Transit Administration program in 2015 led to the disparity, advocacy organization Transportation for America said.

By Dan Zukowski • May 18, 2023

How NYC is preparing its infrastructure for extreme weather

Thu-Loan Dinh, who helps lead infrastructure design for the city’s Department of Design and Construction, discusses the agency’s biggest resilience concerns and how to address them.

By Julie Strupp • May 17, 2023

NREL energy audit tool may help cities meet climate, building decarbonization goals

Local governments often lack the staff and resources to conduct energy audits on thousands of buildings, an engineer at the National Renewable Energy Lab said, but technology can help overcome those challenges.

By Joe Burns • May 16, 2023

How Bird, Lime, Spin and Superpedestrian want cities to regulate shared e-bikes and scooters

The companies’ recommendations come as many shared micromobility pilots end, and local governments make them permanent. 

By Michael Brady • May 15, 2023

Chicago environmental justice order signed as mayor’s term ends

The order requires the completion of a citywide environmental justice data project, creates a new environmental justice coordinator role and calls for community engagement standards.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 12, 2023

Parking minimums will soon be history in Austin, Texas

“Our priority should be allowing space for people rather than mandating space for cars,” City Council member Zohaib Qadri said.

By Michael Brady • May 12, 2023

To spur green manufacturing and jobs, will NYC change its industrial zoning?

“This is a moment for New York City to be ahead of the curve and lead on an issue our president has made a priority for this country,” said Councilmember Amanda Farías.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 11, 2023

For more effective climate planning, cities must include suburbs and exurbs, researchers say

Existing regional entities, such as metropolitan planning organizations or councils of governments, can often be starting points for coordinated climate conversations, one researcher said.

By Kalena Thomhave • May 10, 2023

New York City’s congestion pricing plan gets the green light, despite opposition

Many advocates, urban planners and public officials in New York support the congestion pricing program, which would be the first in the U.S. Critics, however, called the program “anti-environment” and “cash-grabbing.”

By Michael Brady • May 10, 2023

Portland, Oregon, to pilot zero-emission delivery zone

The project could help the city reduce climate pollution and improve public health, the Portland Bureau of Transportation said. Portland received nearly $2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the project.

By Max Garland • May 9, 2023

Dallas restores core emergency dispatch systems after ransomware attack

“At this point, we do not have evidence or indication that there has been data removed during this attack,” Dallas CIO Bill Zielinski told city officials Monday.

By Matt Kapko • May 9, 2023

To build climate resilience, Detroit communities turn to long-neglected alleys

These overgrown strips of land are now working to help mitigate flooding and provide accessible green space in neighborhoods dealing with urban blight.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 9, 2023