Comcast creates new smart cities dedicated business unit

While the company has previously worked with local governments on smart cities projects, the development shared at the Smart Cities Connect conference in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday signals its ongoing interest in the sector.

By Cailin Crowe • April 7, 2022

What big cities can learn from the rural US about public transit

Grappling with bare-bones transportation networks, rural communities are implementing new transit innovations, a trend that federal infrastructure dollars could accelerate. 

By Scott James Matheson and Sam Couvillon • April 6, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Smart Cities Technology and Data

Cities are increasingly looking to technology and data to address real-world issues from traffic safety to law enforcement.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

How to foster a more innovative culture at city hall: report

The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative has a new guide for mayors, city managers and other local leaders to help them understand their organizational culture and assess whether it's inhibiting real change.

By Cailin Crowe • April 4, 2022

IDC names 17 winners for its 2022 North America Smart City Awards

From Schenectady, New York, to Santa Ana, California, the group recognized smart city accomplishments across 14 categories for its fifth annual awards.

By Cailin Crowe • March 30, 2022

Jacobs, StreetLight Data bank on big data as transit agencies confront infrastructure challenges

Inflation, climate change adaptations and other factors add complexity to urban infrastructure projects. As Jacobs' acquisition of the data analytics provider indicates, they see big data as key to these projects' success.

By Dan Zukowski • March 30, 2022

Habitat for Humanity receives $436M donation to address global housing crisis

But housing experts say the large donation from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and new advancements in home construction technology will not alone make housing affordable to families in U.S. cities.

By Danielle McLean • March 23, 2022

DHS and the Virginia Smart Community Testbed to fund IoT security 'best practices' blueprint

The project will test the security of a range of technologies used with IoT product deployments, including wildfire and flood sensors, at a time when critical infrastructure is especially in need of protection.

By Cailin Crowe • March 23, 2022

Envisioning a policy framework for the growth of AVs and SAVs

Public policy will need to evolve with vehicle automation advances to ensure privately owned, shared and fleet AVs meet community needs. Examining the likely phases of this transition can help officials anticipate policy needs.

By Susan Shaheen • March 22, 2022

SXSW 2022: Smart Cities Dive's coverage from Austin, Texas

At the SXSW conference this month — its first in-person event since 2019 — speakers dove into a range of issues affecting the future of cities and potential solutions to improve the quality of life for all.

March 21, 2022

Toyota's Woven Planet, NYU create open-source dataset to improve VPR tech for accessibility, autonomy

To test how visual place recognition technology can help visually impaired pedestrians, autonomous vehicles and delivery robots better navigate cities, the project captured over 200,000 images of part of an NYC neighborhood.

By Cailin Crowe • March 21, 2022

Long-awaited safety rule a 'big step' for future of AVs

It will be easier for automakers to release cars with automated driving technology without seeking exemptions, one scholar said, but it won't change the testing in some localities that have opened the door to pilots.

By Jason Plautz • March 17, 2022

Before the war, Ukraine was working to become the IT hub of Europe

Over the past two years, Ukraine digitized many of its government services and turned its focus toward attracting global tech leaders. The work will continue after the war, a Ukrainian official said at the conference.

By Danielle McLean • March 15, 2022

How smart is your city? NIST provides a framework to measure

The National Institute of Standards and Technology released holistic key performance indicators to evaluate smart city ecosystems aimed at helping city leaders understand just how "smart" their city is.

By Cailin Crowe • March 14, 2022

The latest front for smart city tech? Rat control

Somerville, Massachusetts, is piloting new rodent control technology. “We wanted to look into ways we could automate the system, collect more data and target our efforts a little more efficiently," the city's "rat czar" said.

By Cailin Crowe • March 8, 2022

Citizens want authentic engagement opportunities, not just notifications

It's up to governments to build digital on-ramps to help citizens overcome community engagement barriers. With modern solutions and professional support, digital engagement can become an everyday event for any community.

By Andrea Facini • March 7, 2022

New York rolls out statewide cyber command center amid Russian attacks in Ukraine

The invasion should be a "wake-up call" to local government leaders, as critical infrastructures like traffic and emergency alert systems could be targeted for cyberattacks, a University of California at Berkeley professor said.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 25, 2022

Philadelphia maps out its first-ever digital equity plan

The five-year plan aims to target the digital divide with certain smart city solutions, including piloting the use of city assets like transportation infrastructure and street furniture to enable new fixed wireless networks.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 23, 2022

Orlando emphasizes 'wow factor' in digital twin project

Unlike many other cities' digital twins, the project will map the entire 40-square-mile metro region. It will be updated with real-time data to help inform infrastructure policies and act as a marketing tool for the metro region.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 22, 2022

Rail transit vulnerable to cyberattacks, experts say

Criminals and state actors have attacked transit computer networks and could soon attack operations systems, with potentially dangerous consequences, cybersecurity experts say.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 18, 2022

Strategies that make universal broadband access a reality are needed

As the federal government readies $65 billion for broadband adoption, local leaders should make thoughtful, culturally-responsive strategies that connect all of our communities, writes the CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.  

By Antonio Tijerino • Feb. 16, 2022

Replica CEO talks data privacy and lessons learned from Portland Metro project

As the world nears the two-year anniversary of pandemic lockdowns, Nick Bowden discusses how COVID-19 has impacted urban planning and offers advice for city leaders to respond with privacy-friendly data practices. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 14, 2022

Sidewalk detection and safety monitoring are creating 'watershed moment' for micromobility

As transportation robotics company Superpedestrian comes off a $125 million funding round, Development and Public Affairs Director Paul White says cities are "setting the bar" for safety as scooters and other small vehicles proliferate.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 8, 2022

San Francisco mayor proposes loosening landmark surveillance ordinance

The proposal aims to provide law enforcement with real-time access to camera footage in a bid to address increased rates of crime. But privacy experts caution it would result in significant civil liberties consequences. 

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 4, 2022

These local governments are blazing the trail for cryptocurrency adoption

From New York to Williston, North Dakota, some municipalities aim to integrate crypto into their operations, in part to attract tech-savvy businesses. But obstacles like fluctuating regulatory environments stand in the way.

By Karen Kroll • Feb. 2, 2022

Smart Cities Dive 2022 Outlook

In the year ahead, city leaders will continue preparing for the electrification of cars, buses and buildings, while also tackling the complex challenges of crime, growing inequities, labor shortages and extreme weather.

Feb. 2, 2022