The Latest
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Controversial $9.7B I-45 highway expansion in Houston to resume
The Federal Highway Administration halted the highway project two years ago to investigate potential civil rights violations.
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Courtesy of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Zero-emission bus fleet transition accelerated by Washington, DC, transit agency
Starting with 12 electric buses in a pilot program, WMATA will spend $7.4 billion to achieve a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2042.
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FangXiaNuo/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Building music ecosystems can strengthen local economies and tourism, advocates say
Efforts in Huntsville, Alabama, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, demonstrate “the external benefit of music on everything else,” said one speaker at a Brookings webinar on music’s role in transformative placemaking.
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Permission granted by Bela Flor
Q&AEvery rental unit has level 2 EV charging in its own garage in this Arizona development
Individual chargers will become standard across the housing industry in the future, predicts the property’s development and management team.
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Brothers91/E+ via Getty Images
How cities can center equity in EV charging
“Focus more on the people than on the hardware” to implement EV charging equitably, one electric transportation advocate said, such as by talking to residents and listening to their needs.
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Courtesy of May Mobility
May Mobility and Stantec partner to advance AV microtransit services
Cities, campuses and airports are some use cases the companies envision for providing “safe, equitable and accessible” AV service.
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Spencer Platt via Getty Images
FTA offers $212M in disaster-relief funds for cities, transit agencies
The money can be used for “emergency operations, emergency protective measures, emergency repairs, and permanent repairs," FTA said.
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Permission granted by City of Austin Watershed Protection Department
Deep Dive‘Nature-based solutions’ like trees and rain gardens can be cost-effective climate adaptations, advocates say
Momentum for land- and water-based infrastructure strategies has been increasing. The Biden administration’s road map and resource guide could speed adoption, advocates said.
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Andreas Rentz via Getty Images
Solar technical assistance program will serve 500 more communities by 2027, Department of Energy says
The free program aims to help local governments follow national best practices to expand solar energy use. At least 200 of the new designees will be communities DOE considers underserved.
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Permission granted by Cruise
Cruise wants to expand driverless robotaxi service throughout California
The General Motors subsidiary has operated a self-driving ride-hailing service in San Francisco since 2022 and says it hasn’t yet decided where in the state to go next.
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RichLegg via Getty Images
Zoning changes can help cities achieve sustainability, equity, resilience and other goals: report
Though zoning reform can be “politically challenging and time-consuming,” a new report from Urban Land Institute and Smart Growth America gives examples from more than a dozen U.S. cities and tips for achieving success.
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Permission granted by Alliant Strategic Development
Q&AHow one real estate developer would fix the affordable housing crisis
By tweaking tax credit policy, legislators can help stimulate more apartment development, says the CEO of real estate development firm Alliant Strategic Development.
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ferrantraite via Getty Images
2023 Smart Cities Outlook
In the year ahead, city leaders will face economic headwinds while tackling the housing shortage and changes in travel behavior and decarbonizing transportation and buildings.
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Permission granted by Robin Pendergrast
Tackling Salt Lake City’s affordable housing crisis with empathy and accountability
Facing a legacy of redlining and plenty of NIMBYism, Tony Milner brings extensive nonprofit — and personal — experience into his leadership of the city's Department of Housing Stability.
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Courtesy of California High-Speed Rail Authority
High-speed rail projects will get a ‘streamlined process’ for federal grants, regulators say
The Federal Railroad Administration said it will use the high-speed rail program to foster “good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union” along with strong labor standards, training and placement programs.
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Permission granted by IMERZA
Mixed-use project breaks ground in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District
The Wynwood Plaza will feature a landscaped pedestrian thoroughfare by the designers of New York City’s High Line.
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Emanuele Cremaschi via Getty Images
E-scooter bans, restrictions can leave some riders behind
Micromobility companies like Lime and Bird urge cities to think beyond “blunt” policies that ban e-scooters.
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Marilyn Nieves via Getty Images
Atlanta transit agency’s $2.7B expansion program will get city council-mandated audit
The “More MARTA Atlanta” program initially consisted of 17 projects with the first to be completed by 2025. The agency has since reduced the scope and extended the timeline.
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Permission granted by National Multifamily Housing Council
Q&AA middle-income housing tax credit for developers gets multifamily housing association backing
National Multifamily Housing Council President Sharon Wilson Géno outlines the organization’s legislative priorities and why it considers rent control "a failed policy."
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Hal Bergman via Getty Images
Cities see hyperlocal ‘activity centers’ as key to sustainable growth, less car dependency
Most metropolitan area residents live within three miles of an activity center, according to Brookings Institution research. Officials are planning around such centers to help residents meet their everyday needs while driving less.
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Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
Transit leaders worry about accessing new IIJA funds, other system concerns in Senate hearing
While the 2021 infrastructure law provided much-needed funds, concerns about "smaller agencies’ ability to access them are very real," said one agency director.
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Courtesy of California High Speed Rail Authority
California high-speed rail cost jumps to $128B
The completion date for the first segment, from Merced to Bakersfield, has also been pushed out to 2030-2033.
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Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
Is your city minimobility-ready?
Cities must transition from favoring full-sized cars and SUVs to prioritizing slower, smaller passenger vehicles that can meet more travelers’ needs in less space, transportation experts say.
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Courtesy of Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Electric shuttle service partnership provides last-mile travel options in West Dallas
The weekday Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Toyota and Circuit initiative transports passengers free of charge from light rail, bus and commuter rail stops to healthcare, retail and other locales within a three-mile radius.
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Permission granted by Climate Mayors
Q&AOn climate change, this group of mayors thinks globally and acts locally
Climate Mayors Executive Director Kate Wright discusses how the organization is helping mayors lead on climate policy and implement provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act and 2021 infrastructure law.
