The Latest

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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The World Cup was a transportation stress test. Cities got an A-plus.

    Digital transportation infrastructure pilots became real — and helped move millions of people around host cities. Policymakers should build on that momentum.

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    istockphoto.com / THEPALMER

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    Sponsored by National Association of State Procurement Officials

    Before you buy: Procurement strategies for modern transit fleets

    Modern transit fleets start with smart procurement. Here's what to consider before you buy.

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    Alex Wong/ via Getty Images
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    'Sanctuary' Cities

    Trump’s ‘sanctuary’ policies lawsuit against Minnesota officials dismissed

    State, county and city officials are not seeking to control how federal immigration officers carry out their duties, a Minnesota District Court judge ruled.

    Updated July 21, 2026
  • A person stands behind a baby in a stroller with water and city skyline in the background.
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    This demographic shift could reshape cities, Urban Institute says

    Shrinking birthrates could weaken local economies if cities don't make it easier for families to put down roots, according to a new report.

  • Two futuristic electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft fly over farmland.
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    Courtesy of Joby Aviation
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    Tracker

    Air taxis and urban air mobility: The latest developments

    Air taxi charging infrastructure is going up at 250 U.S. sites, say Archer Aviation and Beta Technologies. Locations will include airports and urban sites in California, Florida, New York and Texas.

    Updated July 20, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    The Municipal Cost Index

    How is inflation impacting the cost of providing local government services? See the latest data from June in the Smart Cities Dive Municipal Cost Index.

    Updated July 20, 2026
  • People riding bikes along a bike lane.
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    Heather Diehl via Getty Images
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    Bike lanes, speed cameras removed from FHWA safety measures list

    The Federal Highway Administration did not announce its decision to remove the measures. One member of Congress has asked it to explain.

  • An aerial view of the Golden Gate Bridge in front of the San Francisco skyline.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Inclusionary housing mandates targeted in San Francisco’s bid to spur development

    A proposal to reduce the requirement from 15% to a minimum of 5% inclusionary housing in select areas got approval from city supervisors this week.

  • Yellow folding tables and chairs in a green space surrounded by buildings.
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    Retrieved from Rosslyn BID.
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    Opinion

    With temporary third spaces, make land that’s vacant today vibrant tomorrow

    When redevelopment slowed in Arlington, Virginia, a vacant building's terrace became a pop-up park that could serve as a model for other cities.

  • ICEEE, heat pumps, U.S. energy cost savings
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    Heat pumps, other energy-efficient appliances could cut energy costs by more than $100B a year: report

    Policies that would shift the market from electric resistance and gas heating to heat pumps provide the largest potential savings, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy says.

  • Two people using shovels to dig holes.
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    Retrieved from Climate Action Tucson.
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    5 extreme heat communication strategies from mayors in hot cities

    Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero share lessons from a new Climate Mayors toolkit to help local leaders keep residents safe during dangerous heat.

  • A black Lucid Gravity robotaxi riding on a an urban street at night with its lights on.
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    Courtesy of Lucid Group
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    Self-driving Ubers are coming to Houston, San Francisco

    Uber, Lucid and Nuro jointly developed the robotaxis. Public rides may begin in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year.

  • Wood row homes amid tightly packed taller brick apartment buildings.
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    Getty Images
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    Amid push for 222K new homes, Massachusetts eases variance request requirements

    The reform measure asks local zoning boards to weigh variance requests for their potential benefits to the community.

  • Water treatment plant infrastructure with the sun rising behind it.
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    Getty Images
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    Local projects would get billions under water infrastructure bill

    The Water Resources Development Act, which would provide $30.5 billion for state revolving funds, passed unanimously through House and Senate committees.

    Updated July 16, 2026
  • A van on a roadway alongside a sign reading "Begin Toll Zone."
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Congestion pricing has little to no effect on NYC parking: report

    Tight parking conditions largely predated the program, the report found. Increased parking use, where it occurred, was likely due to economic growth.

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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    New York freezes new large data center projects for one year

    The first statewide moratorium will give officials time to evaluate impacts on electricity demand, water resources, infrastructure and surrounding communities, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office said.

    Updated July 15, 2026
  • Two adults, a young child and baby in a stroller, accompanied by a dog, cross the street amond trees and homes in the background.
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    Fly View Productions via Getty Images
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    US pedestrian deaths decline for third straight year

    The estimated reduction in pedestrian fatalities in 2025 came as cities and states increase law enforcement and other measures, the Governors Highway Safety Association said.

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    Getty Images
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    Top concerns of city leaders: 4 takeaways from NLC’s State of the Cities 2026

    As they face shrinking federal support and housing shortages, city leaders focus on attracting business for economic growth, a National League of Cities report found.

  • A rooftop solar installation against the backdrop of the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in midtown Manhattan.
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    Getty Images
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    Community solar, incentives helped New York reach 8 GW of distributed solar capacity

    Consistent incentives, standardized utility processes and regulatory collaboration are key to rapid growth, experts say.

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    Getty Images
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    Bipartisan federal housing bill becomes law

    Widely championed by municipal groups, the bill provides more federal housing funding and new financing tools and could ease some regulatory burdens.

  • A person in green at a podium with two other people on a red carpet and a crowd of people holding since behind them.
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    Courtesy of Governor Kathy Hochul/Flickr
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    Faster buses, more reduced fares goal of New York city, state agreements

    More automated camera enforcement of bus lane infractions also will come from agreements between New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

  • A person speaks at a podium surrounded by other people standing inside a massive concrete square.
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    Permission granted by Vashon Jordan Jr./Chicago Office of the Mayor
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    With extreme rainfall overwhelming Chicago’s sewers, the city tries a new approach

    A $12 million pilot for underground stormwater storage targets flooding in historically underserved neighborhoods.

  • A person wearing a suit and red tie sitting at a table adjusts glasses.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    $1.1 trillion a year in federal funding at risk in proposed OMB grant overhaul, municipal leaders warn

    Local officials are urged to comment before July 13 on a regulatory change that would expand agencies’ power to cancel grants and alter how they manage annual funding.

  • A white vehicle outfitted with many sensors stopped at a curb in with people and buildings in the background.
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    Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
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    Tracker

    Robotaxis: The latest developments

    Waymo will add four more cities but awaits a permit to operate in Washington, D.C.

    Updated July 10, 2026
  • Two brown DSNY organics collection bins on the side of a street
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    The image by Tdorante10 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    NYC commercial composting requirements could grow under new law

    Waste officials could expand organics diversion requirements if they find sufficient processing capacity and costs competitive with landfilling or incineration.

  • Man is a blue suit at a desk with a microphone.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    $1.73B for roads, bridges, transit and other projects allocated in USDOT awards

    More than three-quarters of grants went to road and bridge projects, while public transit received less than 10% of total award funds.