San Francisco to amend facial recognition ban

The amendment, which would allow city employees to use Apple devices with the FACE ID unlocking feature, proves how difficult it can be for cities to enforce such bans. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 12, 2019

Mobility Data Consortium unveils data-sharing guidelines, definitions

MDC released two documents: one with guidelines for data-sharing governance, and another with a glossary of data-sharing terms and metrics.

By Chris Teale • Updated May 5, 2020

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

5 cities home to 90% of tech job growth: report

Further concentration would hinder the income growth, job opportunities and economic inclusion of millions, according to a Brookings Institution report. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 10, 2019

The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2019

From Sidewalk Labs' disruptive, futuristic smart city to the climate strategy in Calgary, Alberta, these are the leading cities, officials and initiatives of the year.

Dec. 9, 2019

Disruptor of the Year: Sidewalk Labs

Alphabet-owned Sidewalk Labs is disrupting today's urban pain points with innovative, controversial solutions for its proposed futuristic smart city. 

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 9, 2019

FCC announces $9B fund for rural 5G deployment

The fund will help bridge the digital divide, but rural areas likely won't see the same speeds as cities without "more stringent" FCC oversight, one expert said.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 6, 2019

May Mobility finds 'sweet spot' for autonomous shuttle success

The TaaS provider closed a $50 million funding round led by Toyota, marking growth and expansion at a time when competitors are struggling.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 6, 2019

Portland, OR passes nation's strictest facial recognition ban

The ban will prohibit use of the tech in public and private spheres, marking the country's first ban for businesses like stores, airlines and event venues.

By Jason Plautz , Kristin Musulin • Updated Sept. 10, 2020

Lime, Bird, Bolt, Razor lose appeals to operate in DC

The operators will pull their scooters from the District on April 1. Scooters from Lyft, Skip, Spin and Jump will remain in the city under 2020 program terms.

By Cailin Crowe • Updated Feb. 28, 2020

Tech talent skips coastal hubs for Austin, TX

With a growing reputation as a tech hub, technology adds $141.8 billion to Texas' economy annually.

By Samantha Schwartz • Dec. 4, 2019

5 US cities named hyperconnected 'leaders': report

The ESI ThoughtLab study concludes that unlocking full ROI from technology will require cities to "morph into hyperconnected urban centers." 

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 2, 2019

Data is driving our future and local governments aren't prepared

Even as more municipal leaders realize the need for serious data strategy in city planning, there’s a conspicuous lack of action toward making the necessary changes.

By Ben Ziomek • Dec. 2, 2019

Amazon Web Services names 2019 'City on a Cloud' winners

The 18 winners will be awarded up to $20,000 in promotional credits, up to $20,000 in financial support and up to five employee AWS training vouchers.

By Chris Teale • Updated Dec. 5, 2019

Sidewalk Labs wants out of Google's data-collection shadow

Following the release of its digital innovation appendix, the company's head of urban systems explained the challenges of innovating the real estate sector.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 21, 2019

Smart city growth to depend on data governance: PwC report

The report outlines a "seven layer model" to data management: categories, consent, collection, anonymization, storage, access and monetization.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 21, 2019

NYC's new algorithm management position to oversee equitable use of tech

The Algorithms Management and Policy Officer position will be a central resource to help city agencies with policies related to algorithms and related tech. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 21, 2019

Report card: 4 small US cities earn top 'smart city' marks

Leading Cities and Bright Cities unveiled their full rating of 500 U.S. cities, noting the results "demonstrate that bigger is not always better."

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 20, 2019

Mastercard expands City Possible network to 220 cities

The program added London, Los Angeles, New York and Hamilton, Ontario, and entered a partnership with Digital Main Street to help Canadian small businesses digitize operations.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated Nov. 11, 2020

Sidewalk Labs pledges to not sell user data collected from Toronto project

The Digital Innovation Appendix for the Google-backed project in Toronto says the government will "take the lead" on data management.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 19, 2019

Cox Communications, Arizona State University to partner on incubation center

The Cox Connected Environments Collaboratory at ASU will help find IoT solutions for challenges like transportation, service delivery and energy.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 18, 2019

Center for Digital Government names top 5 digital cities

The first-place winners were recognized for their use of technology to serve citizens, update municipal services and enhance cybersecurity.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 15, 2019

CurbFlow pilot reduced double parking in DC by 64%

The DC Department of Transportation found the pilot created immediate safety improvements and made curbside deliveries more efficient.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 14, 2019

London, Bloomberg Associates debut tech dashboard for 'good governance'

The city's Office of Technology and Innovation partnered with the consulting service to develop a dashboard that aligns tech tools for London's 32 boroughs. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 14, 2019

Vancouver tackles congestion with transportation hackathon

The Decode Congestion Hackathon addressed the "built-out" city's congestion issues, and could help with efforts to achieve zero traffic-related deaths. 

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 14, 2019

Knight Foundation offers $1M for innovative data collection ideas

The public's use of readily-available data is lagging and the Knight Foundation intends to provide citizens with the skills to enhance data literacy.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 13, 2019