The Latest
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Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bloomberg Philanthropies via Getty Images
Local leaders to have formal role in COP28 for the first time
"For the world to tackle climate change effectively, mayors and governors need a bigger seat at the table,” said UN special envoy Michael Bloomberg.
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Courtesy of Bird
Bird acquires Spin in $19M deal
The acquisition makes Bird the largest micromobility operator in North America by market share as the industry faces financial headwinds.
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Retrieved from YouTube on September 13, 2023
Airbnb’s marketing touts short-term rental benefits as local restrictions tighten
Restrictions such as New York’s Local Law 18 may have a greater impact on the city’s residents and tourism economy than on the company.
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THEPALMER via Getty Images
New Orleans adds AI technology to improve traffic safety around streetcar lines
Smart sensors from NoTraffic will be part of a traffic monitoring system powered by artificial intelligence in a partnership between local authorities and the private sector.
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(2016). Retrieved from Baltimore Department of Public Works.
Deep DiveBaltimore faces expensive road ahead for waste infrastructure
Despite pressure from advocacy groups, the city's 10-year waste plan anticipates landfill and incineration will continue to serve a key role as the city works to increase recycling.
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Schroeder, Dennis. (2023). [Photograph]. Retrieved from U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
NREL tool models how building upgrades can reduce energy use, carbon emissions
Before the federal research center released its free, publicly available data, options for representing buildings’ energy use were limited and expensive, an NREL researcher said.
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Spencer Platt/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
NYC Council approves safety-focused e-bike and e-scooter trade-in program
The program would help owners upgrade to electric bikes and e-scooters that meet UL certification requirements set by a New York City law that took effect Sept. 16.
Updated Sept. 21, 2023 -
Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
10 stories from the Earth’s hottest summer on record
Cities are testing a myriad of strategies, from “smart surfaces” to chief heat officers, to protect residents and infrastructure from extreme heat.
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sl-f via Getty Images
To improve multifamily housing energy efficiency and resiliency, HUD offers $4.8B for retrofits
The first round of the $4.8 billion GRRP covers upgrades for 28 rent-assisted properties.
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Retrieved from USDA Forest Service.
Forest Service unveils 385 urban forestry projects to get over $1B in grants
The Inflation Reduction Act bolstered the program's funding to more than 27 times its 2022 appropriation. Explore which states received the largest investments with our map.
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Permission granted by Philadelphia Office of Innovation and Technology
Philadelphia’s smart cities team reflects at the 4-year mark
Its Smart Cities Roadmap looks for public-private partnerships to inject technology solutions throughout city departments. City leaders talk about the team’s accomplishments and next steps.
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Michael Ciaglo via Getty Images
Building codes aren’t climate ready, but changes are coming
Risk is growing from flooding and wildfires, said National Institute of Building Sciences panelists, and builders are relying on outdated guidance.
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georgeclerk via Getty Images
Curb-management innovations: Lessons from smart and zero-emission loading zone pilots
Local business pushback, regulatory barriers and other challenges face cities testing ways to create more orderly curb traffic.
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
NYC proposes leeway for building owners falling behind on net-zero emissions compliance
Building owners who demonstrate a “good-faith effort” to rein in emissions could get a two-year reprieve to comply with a climate law that kicks in next year.
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California’s Senate passes bill to restrict driverless trucks
The measure could require an operator onboard heavy autonomous vehicles for years. Supporters and opponents both argued that the matter relates to safety.
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Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
Extreme heat disproportionately threatens Black renters, experts say
Black renters disproportionately experience energy insecurity, which stems from an inability to pay energy bills, and federal policy falls short in addressing it, a Brookings Metro report says.
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Courtesy of Texas Central
High-speed rail efforts in the US: A history
Here’s the latest on three high-speed rail projects that are bringing new hope to advocates after six decades of frustrated plans and money lost.
Updated Sept. 13, 2023 -
Natalie Behring via Getty Images
EPA announces recipients of $105M in grants for recycling infrastructure
The agency awarded the long-awaited grants to 25 communities, including Baltimore and Minneapolis.
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LightFieldStudios via Getty Images
Broadband affordability program enrolls 20M+ US households, most in urban areas
Some cities are advancing their own plans to bridge the digital divide using American Rescue Plan Act and other funding sources.
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Highsmith, Carol M. (2011). "Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, headquarters of HUD, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
To improve multifamily housing energy efficiency and resiliency, HUD offers $4.8B for retrofits
The first round of the $4.8 billion GRRP covers upgrades for 28 rent-assisted properties.
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XH4D via Getty Images
Urban Air MobilityAir taxis will soon be flying over major US cities
“There’s a role for municipalities to play” in building out air taxi infrastructure, said a former FAA acting administrator, but time is short.
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FotoCuisinette via Getty Images
California must ban gas in new buildings, local officials tell governor
With a federal appeals court overturning Berkeley, California’s landmark gas ban, the state needs a unified standard to remain a climate policy leader, 26 local leaders told Gov. Gavin Newsom.
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Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
Reforms could add 300K housing units to New York City over 10 years: report
With the city’s housing costs surging to unprecedented levels, RAND Corp. researchers examined the most promising policy reforms.
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Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Older homes contributed to Hawai’i fire’s destruction
Buildings constructed under older codes helped last month’s wildfire spread quickly, a new report finds.
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Gromit702/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
EPA seeks advisers on ‘critical’ local government issues
The Environmental Protection Agency will pick up to five officials who represent local, state, tribal or territorial governments to serve one-year terms.
