Open Mobility Foundation approves its Curb Data Specification tool

The group’s board of directors this week approved the initiative designed to improve the use and safety of city curbs, “one of the most high-demand public assets,” LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds said in a statement.  

By Jason Plautz • Updated May 6, 2022

In the push for equitable and transparent governance, more cities turn to data

The proportion of cities using data to monitor and analyze progress on key goals has more than doubled in the past six years, a marked difference from almost a decade ago, when the push began for more data-informed decisions.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 28, 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

8 trends shaping cities in 2022

Cities continue to confront challenges surrounding the pandemic, the climate crisis, rising inequality and public safety this year.

By Cailin Crowe, Danielle McLean, Maria Rachal, Dan Zukowski and Jason Plautz • Jan. 26, 2022

Philadelphia's smart streetlight pilot aims to emphasize transparency

After learning in part from San Diego's controversial smart streetlight program, Philadelphia's year-long pilot includes a number of measures to protect resident privacy while building trust about how the data will be used.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 21, 2022

The mobility RollerCovid ride of 2021

With more and more forms of mobility and delivery devices hitting the streets and sidewalks, the need for data is simply getting greater and greater.

Jan. 18, 2022

Ahead of annual nationwide homelessness count, cities are turning to an app for help

Houston and Kansas City, Missouri, are among the cities using the Counting Us app to help tally their unsheltered and sheltered homeless populations this month.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 12, 2022

Las Vegas unveils digital twin at CES as part of sustainability push

The digital model of the city's downtown will help officials set policies and priorities for addressing energy use, emissions, traffic, parking, noise and emergency management.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 11, 2022

At last, an infrastructure bill that gives people a reason to get out of their cars

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act could bring tech-enabled mobility to urban ‘transit deserts,' expanding economic opportunities while reducing emissions and traffic congestion, writes Via's head of public policy. 

By Andrei Greenawalt • Jan. 6, 2022

The road ahead: How legacy auto brands will level the EV playing field in 2022

After setting the stage at CES with lofty product announcements, carmakers will focus on value, range and brand heritage to close the gap with disrupters like Tesla.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 5, 2022

12 predictions about the trends that will shape smart cities in 2022

As local leaders continue to adapt to the tremendous changes that the past year brought, industry players share how they anticipate cities will evolve.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 5, 2022

Older adults turn to technology during an ‘epidemic of loneliness’

The pandemic kick-started local efforts to get more older adults online with the help of federal broadband investments to bridge the digital divide.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 4, 2022

Q&A's from 2021 that spotlight 13 smart cities voices

Revisit the year's one-on-one conversations, including with tech and climate leaders in Honolulu, Phoenix and San Diego and with execs at Revel, Veo and Drop Mobility.

Dec. 23, 2021

How an app connects Phoenix youth with life-changing jobs

A unique partnership at the ASU Smart City Cloud Innovation Center takes flight.

Dec. 20, 2021

Sidewalk Labs to fold its smart city products into Google

The CEO of Alphabet-owned Sidewalk Labs announced he's stepping down due to health reasons and that the company's products will join Google.

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 17, 2021

New Jersey pursuing on-demand AV transit service in Trenton

State officials say the service could help bridge first- and last-mile transportation, while one expert says it's unclear if "sexy new transportation technologies" like autonomous vehicles can achieve transportation goals. 

By Danielle McLean • Dec. 15, 2021

How Downtown Phoenix is using the power of a digital twin to create a more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive future

Downtown Phoenix, Inc. is in a unique position to make a difference in a place with a fast-changing urban core. 

Nov. 22, 2021

The future of smart cities: Leaders forecast more digitally just governance

Over the next five years, smart cities will emphasize digital justice, community trust and data-led decisions, city leaders say. But roadblocks — like funding and a public sector aversion to risk — could stand in the way. 

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 17, 2021

Smart city evolution: How cities have stepped back from a 'tech arms race'

Following the 'first wave' of the smart cities movement, local leaders describe how they have largely shifted from a tech-first to a resident-first approach.

By Danielle McLean , Maria Rachal , Dan Zukowski • Nov. 9, 2021

Reassessing the smart cities movement

Smart Cities Dive asked 25 of the largest U.S. cities how they define a "smart city" and how that definition has evolved, the challenges they've faced in rolling out equitable policies and technologies, and their outlook for what's next.

By the Smart Cities Dive Team • Nov. 9, 2021

Singapore named smartest global city for third year: report

New York was ranked as the smartest North American city, according to the Institute for Management Development and the Singapore University for Technology and Design’s smart city index.

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 8, 2021

15 city leaders define a ‘smart city’

Smart Cities Dive asked major U.S. cities to weigh in on the past, present and future of their smart city efforts. In the first story of a multipart series, we highlight how city leaders define the term today.

By Danielle McLean • Nov. 2, 2021

Are digital twins the future of urban planning?

Digital 3D models can help city leaders plan for the future, but their value will depend on the data.

By Adina Solomon • Nov. 1, 2021

Populus CEO: Cities should be able to leverage 'really messy data' for Vision Zero efforts

As part of the second phase of a U.S. Department of Transportation-backed initiative, mobility data firm Populus intends to help cities use data from micromobility fleet operators to craft road safety plans.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 28, 2021

The pandemic's silver linings for smart cities

Smart Cities Connect participants from Zencity, Vaisala, Passport Labs, IDC, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and elsewhere weighed in on COVID-19's impacts, and also the biggest misconceptions about smart cities.

By Danielle McLean , Rachel H. Pollack • Oct. 27, 2021

10 cleantech startups to watch

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator fall 2021 cohort has companies whose efforts range from wildfire prevention to transportation electrification. CEO Matt Petersen discusses challenges startups face in working with the public sector.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 25, 2021