The Latest
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Kendall Davis/Smart Cities Dive
Podcast
City Surveillance Watch
A comprehensive archive of the limited audio series from reporter Kate Kaye, who explores the inherent dichotomy of the city technologies that can double as surveillance.
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DOJ joins lawsuit against Chicago for lack of accessible crosswalks
The U.S. Department of Justice has intervened in the lawsuit, as the city has installed only 15 accessible pedestrian signals at its 2,700 intersections with visual signals, risking the safety of visually impaired pedestrians.
UPDATED: April 14, 2021 at 9:46 a.m. -
SC National Guard. (2018). "180925-Z-XH297-1108" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Businesses urge Biden admin to set ambitious federal climate target
Apple, Lime and hundreds of other businesses and investors signed a letter calling for the U.S. to cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.
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Wikimedia Commons
California wildfire plans limit development, builders say
A $536 million measure from Gov. Gavin Newsom and a state Senate bill target where and how contractors can build, two construction advocacy groups said.
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'Failing' US infrastructure needs new purpose beyond shovel-ready efforts: report
The Brookings Institution said federal investment should prioritize outcomes like equity over financing specific projects, supporting an overall mindset shift about the role of infrastructure.
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Permission granted by URB-E
NYC e-cargo bikes lay groundwork for future of grocery delivery
The URB-E fleet vehicles tow cargo carts holding up to 800 pounds through New York City and Pasadena, CA, with more cities in its sights. "Last mile has to be electric," the company's CEO said.
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Florin, Fabrice. (2016). "Oakland Visit" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
California launches its first-ever statewide homelessness data repository
By consolidating data, the system aims to help inform policy decisions following a 7% increase in the state's homeless population last year.
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Getty Images
Few states taking steps for equitable EV infrastructure investment, report cautions
Benefits of the shift to electric transportation could be constrained to higher-income populations without the right policies, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy lays out.
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jimmyweee. (2016). "Baltimore" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Baltimore resilience corps could be model for cities
Local leaders, the Rockefeller Foundation and other partners shared learning lessons from the corps' first six months, including how to leverage the program post-pandemic.
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Advocates call for $650M in federal funds to curb food waste in states, cities
Atlanta, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Madison, WI are among the groups calling for annual investments through at least 2030 for food waste diversion infrastructure and other strategies.
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What's behind the California bullet train project's latest woes?
Two contracting teams said the state rail authority's inability to secure land is creating delays. Here's a look into what that means for the $100 billion project.
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davidpheat. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/photos/cityscape-city-road-crossroad-1186069/.
OpinionAccessible city planning starts with unbiased data insight
New tech in cities can sometimes do more harm than good. Considering inclusive datasets is an essential part of the process for cities to realize benefits, writes Humanising Autonomy CEO Maya Pindeus.
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It's time to 'redefine what infrastructure is,' says USCM president
Louisville, KY Mayor Greg Fischer said in a webinar that President Biden's American Jobs Plan will ready the U.S. for the future and "unleash" innovation.
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Chicago buildings saved $74M from energy benchmarking: report
The city released its 2019 Energy Benchmarking report, finding participating buildings reduced emissions 15%, equal to removing 200,000 cars annually.
UPDATED: April 8, 2021 at 9:51 a.m. -
U.S. Conference of Mayors virtual meeting: https://usmayors.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_shTXlYtwTV6xB9f4TmNalw
US mayors gather to address surge of anti-Asian violence in cities
With such hate crimes increasing 150% across 16 major cities in 2020, federal and local leaders discussed possible solutions at a recent U.S. Conference of Mayors panel.
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Opinion
US building codes need a major retrofit to meet climate goals and spare consumers
The International Code Council, which recently rolled back local governments' say in energy efficiency regulations for buildings, needs to adapt to the times or step aside, writes Energy Innovation's Sara Baldwin.
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Permission granted by Mack
CARB delays reporting deadline for fleets under California clean trucks rule
The California Air Resources Board moved the deadline for its one-time reporting requirement under the Advanced Clean Trucks regulation to May 1.
UPDATED: April 7, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. -
Washington, DC zero waste bill is now law, though funding remains uncertain
The legislation aims to help DC reach its goal to divert 80% of waste from landfills and incinerators by 2032, following efforts in other major cities like New York, Seattle and San Francisco.
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$9.5B Los Angeles-area rail project awards 2 pre-development agreements
By working with competing concept teams, LA County Metro hopes to get the best options — and increase the likelihood of success — to connect the San Fernando Valley with LA's Westside.
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Permission granted by First Solar
Local governments set record for new renewable energy procurement in 2020, groups report
Transactions last year grew renewable capacity 23% from 2019's totals, according to World Resources Institute and Rocky Mountain Institute data.
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Chris Teale/Smart Cities Dive
Lime introduces its first e-moped fleet in Washington, DC
The company deployed an initial 100 vehicles in the city last week, with Lime CEO Wayne Ting citing the company's commitment to safety as the service's biggest differentiator.
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Retrieved from Twitter.
How the American Jobs Plan aims to shape 4 pillars of city infrastructure
The administration's package looks to inject billions of dollars into the country's digital infrastructure, water, transportation and housing needs, with emphasis on racial equity and climate resilience.
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Ryan McKnight
Singapore tops global smart city rankings again, NYC leads US
Meanwhile, Columbus, OH reached No. 11 in the Eden Strategy Institute's latest standings due to coordinated efforts with Smart Columbus.
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Retrieved from The White House/YouTube on January 29, 2021
Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan has something for everyone. And that's its biggest risk.
While some groups praised the proposal, others found issues with its pitch of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, as well as raising taxes on businesses to pay for it.
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Lawrence, Jason. (2017). "New Flyer DE60LFR" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Boston pilots free public transit in bid for equitable COVID recovery
The city is one of many turning to zero-fare programs, which could entice riders back onto public transit following the pandemic. But concerns over lost fare revenue may remain a deterrent.
