Buildings & Design
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Sponsored by SiplastHow modern roofing and waterproofing solutions protect historic structures
How invisible upgrades are saving historic landmarks in cities nationwide.
July 27, 2026 -
Adobe Stock/Mikael Damkier
Sponsored by Energy Systems Group (ESG)Beyond the stadium: What the World Cup can teach every community about first impressions
Why the visitor experience begins long before the first match and lasts long after the final whistle.
July 20, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineTop 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive
From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
Retrieved from Rosslyn BID.
OpinionWith temporary third spaces, make land that’s vacant today vibrant tomorrow
When redevelopment slowed in Arlington, Virginia, a vacant building's terrace became a pop-up park that could serve as a model for other cities.
By Mary-Claire Burick and Kate Ange • July 17, 2026 -
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Heat pumps, other energy-efficient appliances could cut energy costs by more than $100B a year: report
Policies that would shift the market from electric resistance and gas heating to heat pumps provide the largest potential savings, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy says.
By Robert Freedman • July 17, 2026 -
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California return-to-office mandate puts state buildings to the test
As more than 100,000 state employees shift to four in-office days, experts say the bigger question is whether government offices are designed for how people work today.
By Joe Burns • July 9, 2026 -
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Aging, mobility and resilience projects get $8.3M from AARP
Fast-track projects ranging from safer streets and transit access to home-sharing and disaster preparedness were among those funded at a record level this year.
By Vicky Uhland • July 1, 2026 -
Permission granted by Ameresco
Energy savings performance contracts offer a path to building upgrades when city budgets are tight
With deferred maintenance growing and capital dollars stretched thin, local governments are using ESPCs to fund energy and infrastructure improvements through future operational savings.
By Vicky Uhland • June 16, 2026 -
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These 10 US cities have the ‘stickiest’ downtowns
Frequency and length of visits by city residents make these 10 downtowns stand apart, Gensler says.
By Ryan Kushner • June 8, 2026 -
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Cities see opportunity in emerging sports markets
Long Beach, California, and five other cities are exploring how to capitalize on women’s sports and minor league franchises “to create permanent economic activity,” Mayor Rex Richardson says.
By Vicky Uhland • June 3, 2026 -
Permission granted by Frederick County, Maryland
Nominate a project for the 2026 Smart Cities Dive Community Project Awards
The awards will highlight innovation and effective use of technology to solve real community problems.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • June 2, 2026 -
Retrieved from New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development on May 27, 2026
Preapproved housing designs can cut costs — and cities are embracing them, Pew says
Front-loading the permit approval process can shave months off of preconstruction timelines and cut architectural and design costs, according to a new report.
By Ryan Kushner • May 27, 2026 -
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Green infrastructureHow 4 cities are reshaping parks into strategic climate and community infrastructure
Urban parks can boost resilience, improve stormwater management and advance neighborhood equity, strengthening social cohesion in the process, the parks’ developers say.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 22, 2026 -
Permission granted by OZ Architecture
OpinionFire stations are more than facilities. They’re 50-year operational bets.
Outdated station design is driving up costs, slowing response and increasing long-term liability for cities. Local leaders need to rethink design frameworks to improve performance outcomes.
By Eric Becker • May 14, 2026 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
OpinionPublic buildings can power community resilience
Sustainability strategies are also the foundation of resilient design, which prepares public buildings to serve as lifelines when disaster strikes.
By Jeff Kuhnhenn • May 4, 2026 -
Sponsored by Energy Systems Group (ESG)
What a city of 25,000 can teach others about modernizing infrastructure
Reduced costs. Stronger services for the community. See how one city did it.
May 4, 2026 -
Permission granted by Jean Schwarzwalder/NYC Environmental Protection
Meet the 2026 Smart Cities Dive Public Service Award winners
Read about the local government leaders in Florida, New York and Texas being honored for how they’re driving local impact.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 30, 2026 -
Sponsored by PCL Construction
Los Angeles’s future-thinking strategy for 2028 Olympic venues
With support from builders like PCL, LA is investing in infrastructure to support the 2028 games.
April 20, 2026 -
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NYC launches concierge-style service, enhanced web tools to aid Local Law 97 compliance
New resources to help building operators plan retrofits, including resilience planning and expanded workforce development, will cut through red tape, city officials say.
By Joe Burns • April 16, 2026 -
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Single-staircase reform proposed in California
Reducing the number of staircases smaller multifamily buildings require could unlock more housing, advocates say, but a state fire marshal report urges caution.
By Ryan Kushner • April 8, 2026 -
Office-to-housing conversions grew 28% last year
New York City led other cities in converted residential units by a wide margin, followed by Washington, D.C., and Chicago, according to RentCafe.
By Ryan Kushner • March 30, 2026 -
Retrieved from Tampa Bay Rays on March 09, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays unveil plans for $2.3B ballpark, mixed-use development
The Major League Baseball franchise has long sought a new home. Last week it published video renderings that depict a 31,000-seat venue anchoring a “walkable, retail-rich district."
By Zachary Phillips • March 10, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ecosave
Brooklyn project shows feasibility of using geothermal in dense urban areas
Although installation costs are higher than for conventional systems, geothermal is cheaper over the long term, project consultants say.
By Robert Freedman • March 4, 2026 -
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After years of delays, NYC makes $4M bet on modular public toilets
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the plan to deliver 20 to 30 new portable, self-cleaning units this year will ensure people can “travel through our city with a little less anxiety.”
By Danielle McLean • March 3, 2026 -
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Oregon mandates heat pumps in new housing
The update to the state’s residential energy code could save residents of housing built after the change an average of $125 a month in energy costs, an analysis found.
By Ryan Kushner • Feb. 19, 2026 -
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Libraries are central to community life. Many are in aging buildings that are falling apart.
Most U.S. library buildings face deferred maintenance, aging systems and limited funding options that put core civic services at risk, a new GAO report found.
By Vicky Uhland • Updated Feb. 13, 2026
