The Latest

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    Robyn Griggs Lawrence/Smart Cities Dive
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    Plan now for 2027’s top smart city conferences and events

    Technology, transportation, housing, climate, finance and more are on the agenda for local government leaders at these upcoming gatherings.

  • Closeup of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.
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    Rob Carr via Getty Images
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    Baltimore sues rental software platform, apartment owner over alleged junk fees

    The city claims that the companies steered tenants “toward fee-generating payment options by obscuring the fees associated with each payment method.”

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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    FEMA

    Few states, cities have capacity to handle disasters without FEMA, reports find

    States could be expected to shoulder more disaster and recovery costs within six months, but federal reports document staffing and funding shortfalls at state and local emergency management agencies.

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    Courtesy of Seattle Social Housing Developer
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    Seattle social housing hits milestone with land acquisition

    The Seattle Social Housing Developer Board will build around 20 mixed-income homes in the city’s Central District. It expects to own 1,000 homes by the end of next year.

  • Many people getting on and of a transit bus labeled Metro.
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    Courtesy of LA Metro
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    LA Metro breaks ground on 12-mile bus rapid transit corridor

    The project will upgrade 26 bus stations along the route and connect with multiple rail lines and other bus routes.

  • A man stands with a shopping cart in front of a grocery store meat aisle
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    High housing costs are driving poverty in these 10 states

    Above-average housing prices are canceling out the impact of antipoverty programs such as SNAP in some states, a Pew Charitable Trusts analysis found.

  • A person speaks at a podium surrounded by other people in front of a sign with the words "NYC Mayors Office to Combat Antisemitism."
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    Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

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    Global conflicts, local consequences: Cities confront rising threats, violence sparked by international events

    The Israel-Hamas war has tested U.S. community leaders’ ability to protect residents and maintain social cohesion. A standing crisis protocol can help cities prepare, experts say.

  • Cars at an intersection with a gas price sign on the corner.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Local impacts of high transportation costs

    Inflation hits commuters, drivers and fliers, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics data. The impacts can change residents' travel, dining and shopping plans.

  • Google's Gemini AI interface is displayed on a digital tablet screen
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Google unveils agentic AI for government services

    The Gemini offering is capable of policy analysis, Freedom of Information Act redactions and assisting with procurement compliance, the company says.

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    Getty Images
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    Good luck finding parking in these big US cities: Inrix report

    Drivers in downtown areas must choose between searching for on-street parking or paying high fees at public parking lots and garages, the transportation analytics company found.

  • A crowd of people holding signs and a large banner that says "Immigrants Welcome Here."
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    Photo illustration by Spencer Platt/Smart Cities Dive; photograph by Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    NYC ‘sanctuary’ rules upheld in court

    Citing state sovereignty and the 10th Amendment, a federal judge dismissed the Trump administration’s attempt to override New York City’s restrictions on immigration enforcement cooperation.

  • Multiple people stand behind voting booths
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    Getty Images
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    Housing policies on the ballot: What 4 states are asking voters to decide this year

    From zoning regulations to bond approvals, the six statewide housing measures up for a vote in November are the most in a single year since 2006, Ballotpedia says.

  • Tall black bar with solar panel and camera on the side of a road with cars in the background and a bike riding by.
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    Oliver Peric via Getty Images
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    Got Flock cameras? 6 things to consider

    Involve residents, scrutinize vendor contracts, establish clear usage rules and track whether automated license plate readers improve public safety before adopting or expanding the technology, experts say.

  • A white airplane with 6 propellers flies over water with a red bridge in the background.
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    Courtesy of Archer Aviation
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    Tracker

    Air taxis and urban air mobility: The latest developments

     Archer Aviation completed a series of demonstration flights in the San Francisco Bay Area.

    Updated Oct. 20, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    These 3 housing programs are showing results. A new initiative wants to bring them to other cities.

    With investments of $450,000 to $750,000 in 14 cities, Bloomberg Philanthropies wants to replicate housing programs from Atlanta, San Diego and Austin, Texas.

    Updated Oct. 19, 2026
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    AI, battery-powered trains, transit funding among the highlights of APTA Transform 2026

    Mayors, transit leaders and other industry participants showcased new strategies and products at the Chicago conference as the U.S. faces a challenging public transit environment.

  • Exterior of the eight-story Aviator House.
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    Julie Strupp/Smart Cities Dive
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    3 notable office-to-residential conversions in DC

    Washington is seeing a boom in adaptive reuse downtown, but for a conversion to be successful, “You need the good fundamentals. You need a good location,” National Real Estate Development’s Peter Epstein said.

  • An Amtrak train stopped by a train station with parked cars.
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    The image by Erich Fabricius is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    North Carolina passenger rail line to get $550M from US DOT

    The project will relieve train congestion and allow North Carolina and Virginia to schedule more frequent passenger trains, according to the North Carolina transportation department.

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    Getty Images
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    Q&A

    What it takes to become a climate haven

    An emerging framework helps local leaders assess their climate advantages, shore up vulnerabilities and prepare for population growth. One of its creators explains how it works.

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    Getty Images
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    The Municipal Cost Index

    For insights into how inflation is affecting the cost of providing municipal services, see the Municipal Cost Index's latest data from September.

    Updated Oct. 16, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Landfill methane threatens planned storm sewer, Harris County, Texas, lawsuit alleges

    Excessive methane emissions and contaminated soil and water could threaten public safety, according to the lawsuit seeking closure and permanent capping of Hawthorn Park Landfill.

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    Getty Images
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    Confidence in public-sector AI adoption may be outpacing control, survey finds

    Less than 20% of state and local government information technology professionals say they have a formal AI governance framework in place, a UserEvidence survey found.

  • Several people walking and standing near a display of transit buses.
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    AI, rider communications and accessibility innovations showcased at Chicago APTA Expo

    One rail car company plans to launch an innovation hub in the U.S., it announced at the event.

    Updated Oct. 19, 2026
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    Nic Antaya via Getty Images
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    DOT proposal tying grants to birth, marriage rates could disrupt projects, senator says

    The change could affect transit project funding and trigger new reviews and requirements. Sen. Patty Murray called it "bizarre and dystopian."

  • People standing in a train car.
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    Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
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    Battery-powered trains coming to Chicago: a first look

    Commuter rail systems like Chicago's Metra are exploring battery-electric trains to increase service while reducing diesel exhaust pollution and noise.