The Latest
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Phoenix launches 24-hour public restroom pilot at a homeless shelter
The city will install The Portland Loo, which was created to help cities and nonprofits provide people experiencing homelessness with access to a public restroom.
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(2023). "Mayor Eric Adams Delivers Second State of the City Address" [Video]. Retrieved from NYC Mayor's Office.
New York to have citywide curbside composting by end of 2024, mayor says
The timeline gives the city less than two years to bring curbside composting to all five boroughs, a long-held goal that has eluded city officials through administration changes and budget cuts.
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How green building policy could evolve in 2023
After reducing energy use in buildings, cutting embodied carbon is next on the green policy agenda for state and local leaders, potentially prompting a shift from concrete and steel to materials like timber or straw, experts say.
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Tesla sets sales record as safety concerns mount
California banned automakers from advertising self-driving capabilities that still require a driver in control, while NHTSA is investigating Tesla’s Autopilot system.
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Illinois investing nearly $114 million in downstate transit
The money will go to a wide range of transportation improvements, including electric and hybrid-electric transit vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations, new bus shelters, solar panel installations and facility expansions.
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Analysis of local climate action plans and solid waste planning shows overlapping opportunities
Environmental services firm HDR examined hundreds of solid waste-related actions across city and county climate action plans.
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Biden administration announces actions to protect renters, bill of rights blueprint
The White House released a blueprint Wednesday for creating a renter's bill of rights that includes protection principles such as having access to safe, decent and affordable housing and clear and fair leases.
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Walkable urban areas are popular but have an affordability problem: report
People are paying a premium to live in dense and walkable neighborhoods, according to new data analysis, which could be a bright spot for downtowns impacted by pandemic-era work changes.
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DOT provides $29.4M to repair California roads damaged by floods
The money will support efforts by the state transportation department and four federal agencies to fix highways, bridges and other infrastructure.
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El Paso to reconnect neighborhoods divided by highway with deck plaza
The Texas city will work with Stantec on the design and planning for a downtown public space with regional amenities over Interstate 10, which might also be widened as part of the project.
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Retrieved from Caltrain on January 24, 2023
Cost of proposed San Francisco commuter, high-speed rail tunnel grows to $6.7B
The 1.3-mile tunnel would bring commuter trains to the downtown transit center, but pre-pandemic ridership hasn't returned along the line.
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Phoenix chooses Lime, Spin for shared micromobility program
The operators will permanently rent electric scooters and bikes, traditional pedal bikes and adaptive bikes. The city expects those added options will help amid an expected flux in Super Bowl visitors next month.
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Housing supply accelerator campaign brings together elected leaders, community planners
The program from the National League of Cities and the American Planning Association aims to address U.S. housing crisis by identifying local best practices and policies on zoning, housing development and preservation.
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Apartment demand drops to lowest level since 2009
Market indicators point to higher absorption in 2023, but consumer confidence needs a rebound first.
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2023 could see more tiny vehicles, significant transportation investments, experts say
Transportation experts, including a former New York City transportation commissioner, shared some of their trends to watch this year during a virtual event hosted by America Walks.
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Oakland, California, aims to improve curb management with smart loading zones
The city is working with tech company Populus to allow commercial fleet operators to automatically pay for curb use by the minute to address growing deliveries and crowded curbs.
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Retrieved from BP and Hertz press release.
Mayors partner with Hertz on rental EVs and public charging
Shell also recently announced it’s buying charging network operator Volta in a $169 million deal, and electric charging equipment supplier Tritium is getting its largest-ever order from BP.
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HUD reintroduces rule to combat housing discrimination
A new version of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule will again require cities seeking federal funds to explain how housing segregation exists in their communities and their plan to address it.
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Chicago may test parking enforcement tech to cut traffic deaths
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the technology could help the city address its rising traffic fatalities, which climbed over 50% between 2019 and 2021.
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Amtrak to replace 40-year-old rail cars on long-distance trains
The nation’s passenger rail company will use funding from the 2021 infrastructure law to upgrade its long-distance trains.
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Deep Dive
Electric vehicles near ‘tipping point’ in 2023
Key developments for EV adoption this year include implementing federal incentives, developing a national charging network and addressing utility issues, according to transportation, energy and real estate professionals.
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Micromobility could see growth in 2023, industry experts say
While micromobility will continue to deal with economic headwinds, improved accessibility and local investments in micromobility infrastructure may support its long-term growth, researchers and transportation professionals said.
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Nearly all US mayors worry about climate change’s local effects: report
Mayors said their regulatory powers, especially building codes and zoning, are their most effective tools to address climate change. But they are reluctant to limit residents’ behavior or the use of old technology.
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Indianapolis aims to build affordable housing on city-owned properties
The Vacant to Vibrant program will leverage $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds to entice nonprofits, community development corporations and developers to build affordable rental or homeownership units on city lots.
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Transit agencies agree to share certification of minority contractors
Chicago and Philadelphia’s reciprocal arrangement for disadvantaged businesses could become a national model, organizers say.