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

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

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

European pickup depot Delipop launches an urban alternative to instant delivery

The company's colorful automated kiosks hold pickup orders for multiple grocers and are initially targeting the same city centers where quick commerce has taken off.

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 18, 2021

Dallas-based diesel tech training aims to support waste, recycling operations

One major collection and disposal company has launched its own technical institute to address a shortage of skilled workers who can maintain its fleet. Those technicians may be trained on electric trucks going forward.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 14, 2021

6 questions with Smart Columbus on lessons since program's conclusion

The program manager of the USDOT's Smart City Challenge winner reflects on the initiative's challenges, offers key advice for city leaders seeking to implement smart tech and maps out what's next for the city.

By Danielle McLean • Oct. 11, 2021

Global urban mobility is key in building financial inclusion across cities of tomorrow

Providing people access to bank accounts and new payment options can open the door to improving their quality of life.

Oct. 11, 2021

Remote work is enabling a Silicon Valley exodus

As the pandemic drags on, the number of tech workers fleeing the city only seems to be accelerating. Meanwhile, Florida cities like Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville are on the receiving end of population growth.  

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 6, 2021

Smart cities' impact on inequality, privacy, democracy are the focus of a new online program

The Smart Cities for City Officials class from Sweden's Malmö University is "the first online, open-access educational program on smart cities from a social sciences perspective," its co-organizer says.

By Danielle McLean • Oct. 1, 2021

Digital twin tech challenge calls for sensor, geometry innovations

With the global market for the simulation technology estimated to reach $16 billion by 2023, a construction tech coalition is seeking new ideas to enhance how well the tools can inform decisions and potentially reduce costs.

By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 30, 2021

New York City Council passes delivery worker protection laws

The legislation includes a requirement for restaurants to provide couriers access to their bathrooms and set minimum pay for workers, representing the broadest protections in the U.S.

By Julie Littman • Sept. 27, 2021

For gig workers, Prop 22 is a racial equity battleground

Because gig workers largely lack stable pay and ample benefits, barring app-based drivers from employee status may present racial equity issues. Cities like New York, Seattle and Philadelphia are imposing their own standards. 

By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 22, 2021

US cash payment kiosks rise despite digital age

Cities and utilities are making more use of the kiosks provided by vendors like CityBase to give consumers additional no-fee options for paying bills in cash.

By Lynne Marek • Sept. 20, 2021

Ford, Argo AI team up with Walmart for autonomous delivery in 3 cities

As more customers become accustomed to same-day and next-day delivery, Walmart said the service will show how autonomous tech can optimize logistics and operations. 

By Max Garland • Sept. 17, 2021