The Latest
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Q&A
General Motors aims to make EV charging accessible to apartment residents
Working with cities, states and local GM dealers, the automaker wants to solve the challenge of charging access for those who live in multifamily dwellings, its EV charging analyst explains.
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Denver is changing how residents will pay for trash collection
The city council voted Monday to expand recycling pickups and provide weekly compost collection at no added cost, while charging for trash service based on how much households throw out. Changes take effect in 2023.
Updated June 28, 2022 -
Regent aims to launch flying boat network in Hawaii
Hawaii could be among the first states to see flying boats in regular operation if Regent clears certification and permitting hurdles for its proposed launch in 2025.
Updated June 27, 2022 -
Opinion
The vast, untapped potential of city procurement
The procurement process — often governed by complex regulations and overworked staff — typically occurs outside public view. That needs to change if it's to help the community meet its environmental and social goals.
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Mayors' top 4 priorities in 2022: NLC's State of the Cities report
With federal dollars on the way, infrastructure reigned supreme for the second year in a row, according to the National League of Cities’ annual analysis of U.S. state of the city addresses.
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New York transit authority to upgrade most inaccessible subway stations by 2055
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority agreed to add ramps or elevators to 95% of all inaccessible New York City subway stations under a lengthy timeline resolving multiple class-action lawsuits.
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Miller, Charles Edward. (2019). "Homeless Encampment Milwaukee Wisconsin 8-30-19_2538" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
HUD announces $365M package to address unsheltered homelessness
In what the Biden administration described as “a first-of-its-kind” package, HUD will distribute millions of dollars in grants for homeless outreach and permanent housing and support services, plus 4,000 new rental assistance vouchers.
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Transportation, labor, business, environmental groups object to Biden gas tax holiday proposal
The administration's plan for a three-month suspension of federal fuel taxes to help alleviate high prices received bipartisan pushback.
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5 strategies to advance micromobility for urban last-mile delivery: report
If urban deliveries grow 78% by 2030 as predicted, traffic and emissions will grow too, an Uber-commissioned whitepaper states. The use of bikes, cargo bikes, trolleys and drones could reduce those impacts.
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Flooding and drought-driven urban damages, GDP loss to balloon: C40 analysis
River flooding damages could cost the nearly 100 cities in the global climate action network $64 billion annually by 2050, while costs tied to more frequent and severe droughts could tally $111 billion per year, the group estimated.
Updated June 23, 2022 -
Micromobility operator Helbiz announces intent to acquire Wheels
The deal would bring together two micromobility players and give Helbiz seated scooter and integrated helmet assets.
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Transit worker shortage could be exacerbated by proposed federal drug testing rules, labor leader says
With transit agencies, Amtrak and airlines pressed for workers, the president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, said changes could cause some employees to lose their jobs and deter potential hires.
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Las Vegas approves Boring Co. Loop under downtown
The city council last week greenlit an agreement with the Elon Musk-owned company, permitting it to build, own and operate underground tunnels beneath the Las Vegas Strip.
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California needs to triple historical decarbonization rates to meet 2030 carbon target, report finds
“The key takeaway is that California is leaving beneficial, earlier action on the table,” said Chris Busch, research director with Energy Innovation and primary author of the report.
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To combat period poverty, cities roll out programs offering free menstruation products
New community programs attempt to address menstruation inequality, an issue the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated.
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Massachusetts Supreme Court blocks Uber, Lyft-backed gig worker ballot measure
The effort, backed by major gig economy leaders, would have classified workers as independent contractors rather than employees.
Updated June 21, 2022 -
Urban forest carbon credits gain momentum
After the largest single urban forest carbon credit purchase in U.S. history, more cities and corporations may start to recognize how investing in trees also benefits resident health and well-being, market supporters say.
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Housing activists work to move the needle on affordability
In communities across the country, local groups aim to shed light on the housing crisis while fighting against the NIMBY movement.
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FTA seeks public comments on automated transit bus research
Regulators want to hear from transit operators and users as more automated buses and shuttles begin testing on city streets. “The No. 1 focus for us is, can this benefit safety?” said Federal Transit Administration’s Karina Ricks.
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Opinion
AI-enabled cameras and lidar can improve traffic today and support the AVs of tomorrow
Upgrading traffic cameras with AI improves performance and prepares for advancements such as autonomous vehicles. Future systems will likely tap the benefits of both cameras and lidar, write the co-founders of AI platform Derq.
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Cars using self-driving technology involved in hundreds of crashes over 10 months: NHTSA
Tesla vehicles using advanced driver assistance systems — like its Autopilot feature — were involved in 75% of the reported crashes between July 2021 and May 15, 2022, according to NHTSA data.
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YIMBY: The making of a movement
Yes, In My Backyard groups have formed in communities across the country to fight zoning and development practices that make housing less affordable.
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Lund, Ken. (2006). "Reno Arch, Reno, Nevada" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Reno, Nevada, joins cities using blockchain to improve record-keeping
As the city rolls out its “Biggest Little Blockchain” initiative to create what’s described as a first-of-its-kind record-keeping system, some other local governments are using the tech for what it is at its core – a ledger.
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Federal infrastructure spending
Cities proceed with caution as inflation abounds
Consumers aren’t the only ones concerned about the impacts of inflation. From Columbus, Ohio, to New York City, local leaders are monitoring the situation for how it might affect contracts and purchasing.
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Transit advocates create NYC subway safety plan to address root causes of crime
The Riders Alliance held a rally in Brooklyn this weekend to roll out a public safety plan that calls for funding for shelter beds and permanent housing, among other measures, to improve safety.