ACEEE: 'Ambitious' energy efficiency could halve US emissions by 2050

If cities are to hit climate goals and remain in step with targets outlined in the Paris climate agreement, they will need to take bold action.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 19, 2019

5 design trends that will shape future cityscapes

A new Gensler report anticipates how urban challenges like climate change, health care and airport traffic will influence future city designs. 

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 19, 2019

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

San Jose, CA to become largest US city to ban natural gas

If a final ordinance is approved, electric-only development will be required for most residential buildings, making way for increased EV infrastructure.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 19, 2019

Knight Foundation invests $925K in Miami's Underline park

The 10-mile, 120-acre linear park, touted as Miami's answer to New York's High Line, will use the funds for tech investments. 

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 18, 2019

Is citizen engagement the key to smart water solutions?

Aquagenuity CEO Doll Avant said humans, not technology, currently serve as the sensors to detect water problems — and that must change.

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 17, 2019

Chicago to pilot less invasive water main repair techniques

The city has replaced 716 miles of water mains since 2012 which has largely involved tree removal, resulting in outcry from residents and officials. 

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 17, 2019

Firefighter safety solution wins IBM Call for Code contest

Prometeo, which uses AI and IoT devices to keep firefighters safe as they battle blazes, took home a cash prize of $200,000.

By Chris Teale • Updated Oct. 15, 2019

Rockefeller Foundation creates Opportunity Zone Academy

The program will provide five cities with resources to develop the zones into economically thriving, socially inclusive and walkable neighborhoods.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 17, 2019

California legislators approve statewide rent cap

Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill, which is considered a partial solution to the housing crisis.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 13, 2019

City Tech Collaborative targets 2020 for putting heat mapping tool in urban planners' hands

Following the proof-of-concept period, the tool could be expanded to include any city for which satellite data is available.

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 11, 2019

'Mayors are angry': Puerto Rico cities lack federal funds for hurricane recovery

Federal funds are too slow to arrive, and local resiliency plans require money to begin implementation, Ponce Mayor María Meléndez told Smart Cities Dive. 

By Chris Teale • Sept. 11, 2019

Rockefeller Foundation provides $3.7M for opportunity zones

The funding will help attract investments to economically distressed areas in Dallas, St. Louis, Oakland, CA and Washington, DC. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 9, 2019

City grids risk being overwhelmed by EV growth

Electricity supplies could suffer without partnerships between utilities and city agencies, The Rocky Mountain Institute and Seattle City Light warned. 

By Chris Teale • Sept. 9, 2019

How universities are leading mass timber research

Despite buzz around its Toronto waterfront project, Sidewalk Labs isn't the first major group to work with mass timber in North America. 

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 4, 2019

Resilience report: The world's 10 safest cities

The need for urban safety cognizance is growing as global populations increasingly move to cities, a report from The Economist Intelligence Unit says. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 3, 2019

San Francisco expands free water station program

The initiative is partially funded through the city's soda tax and will reduce plastic waste by providing free, clean water in parks and schools.  

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 30, 2019

Seattle creates first Resilience Roadmap

Seattle is the fastest-growing big city in the U.S., resulting in challenges that test resilience, including affordable housing and opportunity gaps.  

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 30, 2019

Local governments will use Facebook to send emergency alerts

The platform began testing alerts last year to help government agencies spread information about crises like flash floods, shootings and bomb threats.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 30, 2019

NYC doubles curbside rain gardens in green infrastructure program

The gardens trap rainwater to help prevent flooding and combined sewer overflows and also improve air quality and beautify neighborhoods.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 30, 2019

St. Louis, DHS team up for smart city pilot

The pilot program will help the city improve its emergency response to extreme weather with flood, video and route management sensors. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 30, 2019

Austin, TX to increase green job access for people of color

The initiative will disperse grants between $10,000 and $50,000 each for equitable workforce development and green job opportunities.

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 28, 2019

Utah researchers analyze transit data to determine pollution offsets

A University of Utah study found the state's public transit system offsets 1.5% of the region's on-road greenhouse gas emissions.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 28, 2019

Columbus, OH is first non-compliant city to meet ozone air quality standard

By increasing mass transit and EV use, the city reduced vehicle emissions and nitrogen oxide, one of the biggest sources of urban pollution. 

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 26, 2019

NYC steps up outreach to homeless using subway as shelter

The city's HOME-STAT initiative has helped more than 2,200 citizens transition off the streets since it launched three years ago. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 23, 2019

Study: Florida, California home to most limited evacuation routes

As natural disasters intensify, StreetLight Data used machine-learning algorithms to identify the U.S. communities with the highest vehicle evacuation risk.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 22, 2019