4 startups accepted to NYC's Circular City program

Aclima, Algramo, RanMarine USA and Sapient Industries will pilot products to map air quality, promote zero-waste products and drive energy efficiency.

By Chris Teale • Updated June 2, 2020

Sidewalk Labs pilot aims to improve recycling habits

The Clean Recycling Pilot in Toronto will identify and sort waste, then provide feedback to the public in a report on how they can do it better.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 8, 2020

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

California to enforce light bulb efficiency standards despite Trump reversal

The state's efficiency rules are a direct response to the Trump administration's rollbacks, which could cost $12 billion a year in lost energy savings by 2025. 

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 3, 2020

7 trends that will define smart cities in 2020

Cities are primed for big transformation, including scooter company consolidation, car-free zone planning and increased flying car investments.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 2, 2020

Automation makes it possible for cities to go green

Cities everywhere are embracing their role in the fight against climate change, and many are finding that technology is a powerful ally. 

By Srini Murali • Jan. 2, 2020

Kansas City, MO innovation officer to leave after 8 months on the job

The city's decision to close its innovation office for a new smart city strategy may raise concerns, though former CIO Bob Bennett assures "the sky is not falling."

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 23, 2019

Transportation & Climate Initiative sees 'overwhelming support' of cap-and-invest plan

More than 8,300 public comments regarding the plan were submitted from mid-December through February, with 91% of comments expressing support.

By Katie Pyzyk , Kristin Musulin • Updated March 2, 2020

48 mayors ask Congress for affordable housing support

The bipartisan group wrote a letter requesting that affordable housing legislation be included in any tax packages before 2020, which could spur 550,000 additional housing units. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 17, 2019

New York MTA to invest $1.1B for zero-emission bus fleet

The agency plans to eventually have a fleet of 500 electric buses, representing the largest procurement of EVs in North America. 

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 17, 2019

NYC passes bill requiring bird-friendly glass on buildings

The measure aims to reduce the 90,000 to 230,000 bird strike deaths in New York each year, with the country's bird population reaching a 29% decline since 1970. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 16, 2019

Google creates $4M fund for data-driven climate projects

The tech giant is also expanding its Environmental Insights Explorer tool to help more than 100 cities use data to plan and measure the impact of climate change. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 13, 2019

ASCE, mayors group create resilient infrastructure coalition

The partnership aims to break down barriers to action with practical action plans, sustainable infrastructure and untapped investments. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 13, 2019

Philly mayor signs laws to boost big building efficiency, phase out dirty fuel

Mayor Jim Kenney also updated the city's Energy Benchmarking Program, designed to understand energy use and "opportunities for change," according to a senior program manager.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 12, 2019

California governor encourages '100-day challenges' to fight homelessness

Gov. Gavin Newsom said cities can access funding for homeless aid by setting and achieving short-term mitigation goals that could develop sustainable program models.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 9, 2019

Federal climate leadership could cut emissions 49%: report

America's Pledge said cities, states and businesses have led the way on climate action, but further emissions cuts need national leadership, too.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 9, 2019

Climate Leader of the Year: Calgary, Alberta

Over 100 oil and gas companies reside in the "energy city." Calgary welcomes these energy sources, but it's also driving prosperity with an in-depth Climate Resilience Strategy.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 9, 2019

City of the Year: Honolulu

On top of forging a path to aggressive emission reductions, Honolulu is infusing resilience in its housing, transportation and food sectors.

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 9, 2019

Disruptor of the Year: Sidewalk Labs

Alphabet-owned Sidewalk Labs is disrupting today's urban pain points with innovative, controversial solutions for its proposed futuristic smart city. 

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 9, 2019

The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2019

From Sidewalk Labs' disruptive, futuristic smart city to the climate strategy in Calgary, Alberta, these are the leading cities, officials and initiatives of the year.

Dec. 9, 2019

What I wish I'd said to California's chief air regulator about clean transportation

Will flexible demand-side resources ever be able to participate in power markets in the same way as supply-side resources? That's the question before Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols — and all of us.

By David Farnsworth • Dec. 6, 2019

NYC launches commercial cargo bike pilot to reduce congestion

City officials hope the program, which includes Amazon, DHL and UPS, will also boost air quality and pedestrian safety. Logistics companies say it will be easier to find parking.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 5, 2019

Climate Mayors to bolster city-level action with steering committee

The new 24-member committee will work to "catalyze membership" and further engage residents to reach Paris agreement goals.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 4, 2019

LA wants to reach 30% EVs on roads by 2028 Olympics

Local government and private partners released the Zero Emissions 2028 Roadmap 2.0 to accelerate the use of electric vehicles and clean transit.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 3, 2019

The safest cities in the US: report

A survey from WalletHub examined 41 key safety indicators in three categories: home and community safety, natural disaster risk and financial safety.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 3, 2019

Cincinnati to build nation's largest city-led solar array

The project, which is predicted to reduce 158,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, will cover 1,000 acres with more than 310,000 solar panels.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 25, 2019