The Latest

  • A person with a handheld camera films another person standing and holding their arm.
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    Permission granted by Frederick County, Maryland
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    Nominate a project for the 2026 Smart Cities Dive Community Project Awards

    The awards will highlight innovation and effective use of technology to solve real community problems.

  • The Fibers That Bind Kannapolis, NC
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    Permission granted by Kinetic
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    Sponsored by Kinetic

    The fibers that bind Kannapolis, NC

    When manufacturing dried up, Kannapolis, NC, used it as an opportunity to revitalize and reinvent the city.

  • Yellow earth mover scooping up debris from demolished home.
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    Getty Images
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    Opinion

    We can’t build our way out of the housing crisis while losing homes every day

    The path forward is not just about adding supply. It is also about protecting it.

  • A person wearing a t-shirt that says "Build Affordable Housing" standing with group of people wearing black pants and black t-shirts.
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    Retrieved from Quentin Lucas/Instagram on June 18, 2026
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    Crime is falling. Why don’t residents feel safer?

    Statistics alone won’t change public perception, say the mayors of Providence, Rhode Island, and Kansas City, Missouri. Building trust requires visibility, relationships and consistent communication.

  • A blurred rider on a bicycle with tall buildings in the background.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Biking in US cities is getting better, 2026 report says

    In PeopleForBikes’ annual rating, the number of cities with bike infrastructure that scored 50 or higher on a 100-point scale more than doubled this year.

  • Several office buildings on a clear day next to a road busy with cars and one bus.
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    Getty Images
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    As a Maryland city mulls upzoning, a Realtor association study touts its benefits

    A “missing middle” housing proposal in Rockville, Maryland, would boost the city’s housing stock 4.5%, the local Realtor association said.

  • Cars at night with streaks of headlights and tail lights on a wide street with building on each side.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    With 125 speed camera installations, LA’s speed safety program becomes California’s largest

    Speeding behavior and crash history factor into installation sites, with many locations using multiple cameras, Verra Mobility said.

  • A two-story red brick building on a multilane street with a U.S. and other flag visible and cars parked in front of it
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    Permission granted by Ameresco
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    Energy savings performance contracts offer a path to building upgrades when city budgets are tight

    With deferred maintenance growing and capital dollars stretched thin, local governments are using ESPCs to fund energy and infrastructure improvements through future operational savings.

  • A computer screen displaying dash cam footage from inside and outside a city vehicle.
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    Samsara YouTube

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    How AI is changing government asset management

    New tools aim to help cities keep closer tabs on fleets and equipment in real time, participants in a Samsara public sector technologies event said.

  • A person secures one of two tents set up in front of a tall gate with empty lot and buildings in the background.
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    Apu Gomes via Getty Images
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    HUD suspends LA homeless services funding

    A pause on federal funding for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority could become permanent pending an investigation, the federal agency said.

  • U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright delivers remarks alongside U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Judge overturns DOE’s cancellation of $82.1M in clean energy grants

    The plaintiffs argued the 11 grantees — based in New York, Oregon, Connecticut, Minnesota and Colorado — were targeted because those states voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris.

    Updated June 17, 2026
  • Two people's arms reach out over a foodservice counter to exchange a reusable coffee mug with a "Choose to Reuse" sticker on it.
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    Permission granted by City of Portland
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    To reduce waste, BYO food and drink containers encouraged in Portland, Oregon

    A regional government introduced the Choose to Reuse initiative following Oregon’s introduction of a law allowing the practice. Local leaders collaborate with nonprofits and private reuse businesses to encourage adoption.

  • A red brick building with lights on inside sits near a quiet road on a clear day.
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    Getty Images
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    Town sues Massachusetts over plans to build housing on state-owned land

    Wellesley, Massachusetts, officials called the plan to build 180 housing units on a state-owned parking lot “commendable” but said the ends don’t justify the means.

  • A person wearing a blue suit talking as two people hold microphones in front of him.
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Emergency managers welcome House proposal to strengthen FEMA funding

    The Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill that streamlines disaster declaration processing and preserves preparedness grants they say are foundational to state and local response capabilities.

  • Metal sign that says United States Environmental Protection Agency on stone building
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    Getty Images
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    EPA’s termination of environmental justice grant program illegal, court rules

    A federal judge called termination of the $2.8 billion Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant “arbitrary and capricious” but stopped short of restoring the program.

    Updated June 12, 2026
  • Sign on a high pole with prices for gasoline and diesel fuel.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    How transit agencies are tackling rising fuel costs

    While airlines raise fares to cover higher fuel prices, public transportation agencies can’t easily pass those costs on to riders.

  • A line of people linking arms and holding signs.
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    Mathieu Lewis-Rolland via Getty Images
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    Secure America Act expands ICE funding, puts new pressure on ‘sanctuary’ cities

    The new law rewards local participation in federal immigration enforcement and directs funds toward operations in jurisdictions that limit cooperation. “Sanctuary” cities vow to fight back.

  • Construction continues on a mixed-use apartment complex
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    Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    More cities are embracing AI permitting systems. HUD funding is available for them.

    Local governments have until July 13 to apply for up to $3 million in grants for automated permitting and building code systems.

  • Aerial view of large enclosed stadium lettered "AT&T Stadium"
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    Art Wager via Getty Images
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    Lime adds more e-bikes and e-scooters in select World Cup cities

    Based on its experience at the Paris and Milan Olympic Games, the micromobility company will adjust operations and offer a 90-minute fixed-rate pass.

  • People walking in a marked crosswalk with cars around them.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Pedestrian death rates remain high: Smart Growth America study

    More than three-quarters of cities studied saw higher average fatality rates over the past five years, but federal programs for pedestrian safety are at risk.

  • Large red letters that say "FEMA" in a large net between trees.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    FEMA

    Is FEMA ready for disaster season?

    While a new report warns of staffing shortages, vacant leadership posts and strained federal-state relationships, the agency’s acting administrator insists it is prepared for hurricane and wildfire season.

  • Sen. Mark Warner, D-VA, speaks in the Capitol building
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    Drew Angerer / Staff via Getty Images
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    Federal support for ‘critical’ local cybersecurity resource could be renewed under new bill

    Sen. Mark Warner introduced legislation to restore federal funding for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which many state and local governments once relied on for support.

  • A person at a podium with the sign "Second Ave. Subway-Next stop 125th St." with people in construction uniforms behind.
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    Permission granted by Marc A. Hermann/MTA
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    NY breaks ground on Second Avenue subway extension to East Harlem

    The project moves forward after the Trump administration released funding it halted last year.

  • A stadium surrounded by orange, smoke-filled sky.
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    Lindsey Wasson via Getty Images
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    What the World Cup reveals about cities’ growing heat risk

    Extreme temperatures and wildfire smoke threaten athletes’ and fans’ health, highlighting the need to adapt infrastructure and public safety plans for a warming climate, scientists say.

  • Aerial shot of urban downtown
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    Getty Images
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    Seattle’s social housing experiment takes first major steps

    Seattle Social Housing Developer agreed to purchase its first building and wrapped up a lottery to determine who will live there.

  • Boston, MA - Charles River Aerial Photography Downtown
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    Getty Images
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    These 10 US cities have the ‘stickiest’ downtowns

    Frequency and length of visits by city residents make these 10 downtowns stand apart, Gensler says.