Ransomware attacks 'raising the bar' as cities struggle to respond

Smart Cities Dive looked at the increasingly sophisticated methods hackers deploy to extort money and ways cities can better prepare.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 27, 2020

It's time to make more affordable broadband a reality

While it took COVID-19 to drive home the urgency of the digital divide, it also clarified the path forward: joining Wi-Fi and fixed wireless technologies can accelerate affordable broadband.

By Atul Bhatnagar • Aug. 25, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Smart Cities Technology and Data

Local governments are increasingly turning to predictive analytics and other technologies to solve real-world problems like homelessness and preparing for an AI-driven future.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Pandemic has expedited digitization of government services: survey

Tight budgets, legacy systems and bureaucracy have historically prevented governments from going digital, but COVID-19 has tipped the scale for operations to move online. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 24, 2020

Tennessee dedicates $3M to bridge Chattanooga students' digital divide

The Tennessee Community CARES funding will support a public-private partnership that aims to provide free high-speed internet to 28,000 students learning at home. 

By Katie Pyzyk , Kristin Musulin • Updated Sept. 30, 2020

HUD count likely underestimates homeless populations: GAO

The report highlights limitations of the Point-In-Time count and recommends that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development strengthen its oversight of the data collection process. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 19, 2020

Pilot shows early COVID-19 detection in city wastewater

The project in the City of Ashkelon, Israel, can pinpoint coronavirus infections by streets and neighborhoods, which could help mitigate spread and keep lockdowns localized.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 19, 2020

Gilbert, AZ gets creative with its digital strategy during COVID-19

The town has kicked its digital planning into high gear, tapping new tactics for routine operations like using augmented reality for building inspections and TikTok for information-sharing.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 18, 2020

Young entrepreneurs dream up IoT-powered scooter sanitization system

The patent-pending device from KirbyPod may offer a solution to the pandemic-related health risks currently plaguing shared mobility.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 13, 2020

Cities can't rely on autonomy to solve pedestrian safety: LADOT head

In an AV webinar hosted by Axios, Seleta Reynolds said cities must apply digital transformation to their infrastructure to complement the goals of the autonomous driving sector.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 12, 2020

Companies shed 134K tech jobs in July

Of the top 10 metro areas for IT job postings, Washington, DC saw the biggest drop, followed by San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to CompTIA.

By Roberto Torres • Aug. 12, 2020

Nevada permits Motional to test AVs without a driver

The "driverless milestone" will be followed by a "rigorous, self-imposed testing and assessment period" in the coming months, said Motional CEO Karl Iagnemma.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated Nov. 18, 2020

Lyft, Uber ordered to reclassify California drivers, putting all eyes on Prop 22

The ruling puts added pressure on a state ballot measure that would classify app-based drivers as independent contractors.

By Kate Tornone , Kristin Musulin • Updated Oct. 23, 2020

Census count to end Oct. 15

The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration can end counting early for the 2020 census, approving the suspension of a lower court decision that had extended the count deadline. 

By Cailin Crowe • Updated Oct. 14, 2020

Uber focuses on delivery as pandemic erodes ride business

Uber Connect, a consumer-to-consumer delivery service, puts the tech company in competition with parcel carriers and USPS, though not on price.

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 10, 2020

NUMO tool evaluates micromobility data against policy goals

More than 50 partners convened to develop a recourse site that details appropriate ways to implement data-sharing requirements and use the data. 

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 10, 2020

Reaping the benefits of the hyperconnected city

A city must unlock the full economic, social, environmental and business value of technology —  through IoT, AI or mobile connectivity — to become one hyperconnected urban epicenter.

By Arnaud Legrand • Aug. 6, 2020

San Diego turns off smart streetlights ahead of surveillance ordinance vote

Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city had "no choice" but to turn the controversial technology off, days after it offered police to run the Smart Streetlights program.

By Chris Teale • Updated Sept. 14, 2020

Group calls for national police accountability database

A report from The New Center proposes a comprehensive database with information on physical use of force, no-knock warrants and misconduct, in an effort to drive evidence-based policy changes. 

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 3, 2020

Citibot Web Chat relieves comms staff in Williamsburg, VA

The integrated chatbot enables residents to ask common questions regarding COVID-19 mitigation while freeing up time for city staff to tackle other work.

By Kristin Musulin • July 29, 2020

DOE releases blueprint for national quantum internet

Increased speed and security could present vast benefits to cities, including the production of more sensitive sensors to monitor for traffic and pollution levels.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 28, 2020

Google-backed program invests $1.3M in library entrepreneurship centers

The Libraries Build Businesses initiative will help 13 libraries develop business centers to support low-income and underrepresented entrepreneurs.

By Cailin Crowe • July 28, 2020

US roadways nearly restored to pre-pandemic VMT levels

StreetLight Data and Boston Consulting Group partnered to understand the scope of vehicles miles traveled (VMT) since the pandemic's onset in March.

By Cailin Crowe • July 24, 2020

Seattle creates 'Digital Bridge' program for low-income job seekers

The program will provide participants with free laptops and broadband connectivity in a bid to bolster digital skills and close the digital divide.

By Chris Teale • July 22, 2020

Mobile innovation will drive safety, efficiency in a post-COVID world

The potential of mobile tech across city sectors is endless. Now is the time to start looking at mobile as a lifeline rather than merely an option.

By Coby Berman • July 21, 2020

San Diego looks to donate used computers to families in need

The city may partner with the San Diego Futures Foundation to redistribute end-of-life machines to the nearly 30,000 city households that lack one.

By Chris Teale • July 20, 2020