The pitfalls of place-based revitalization in Atlanta, San Diego: reports

Revitalization efforts in disinvested communities can result in two opposing results: They can contribute to gentrification or leave neighborhoods as impoverished as when the initiatives started, the Urban Institute reports.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 14, 2022

Cities are murky on how they define 'green infrastructure': analysis

The term is increasingly popping up in strategic plans and climate plans alike, but many U.S. cities that reference goals for green infrastructure don't explicitly define what it is, a recent study found.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Energy Codes and Building Performance Standards

Cities are using these levers to meet climate goals and address everything from data centers to building decarbonization.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

12 predictions about the trends that will shape smart cities in 2022

As local leaders continue to adapt to the tremendous changes that the past year brought, industry players share how they anticipate cities will evolve.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 5, 2022

Q&A’s from 2021 that spotlight 13 smart cities voices

Revisit the year's one-on-one conversations, including with tech and climate leaders in Honolulu, Phoenix and San Diego and with execs at Revel, Veo and Drop Mobility.

Dec. 23, 2021

How the pandemic has shaped driver and pedestrian behavior

The past year has seen drastic changes to driver behavior and commuting patterns, ushering in an era of high traffic and pedestrian deaths.

Dec. 22, 2021

NYC’s new gas ban highlights market growth needs for building electrification

Outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the climate legislation in his final days in office, but work to expand awareness, market development and worker training remains.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 22, 2021

Building electrification momentum grew in US cities in 2021

From Denver to Ithaca, New York, cities are charting new territory in their quest to slash built-environment emissions. Solutions include changing codes and adding performance standards, and even electrifying entire city building stocks.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 8, 2021

Tesla solar roof fires subject of SEC, Consumer Product Safety Commission investigations

A former Tesla employee accused the company of failing to disclose safety risks from solar panels. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 8, 2021

5 of the largest mixed-use development projects in the works across the US

Developments in Boston; Alexandria, Virginia; Frisco, Texas; and elsewhere will be home to new residential, retail and office spaces valued in the billions.

By Mary Salmonsen • Nov. 30, 2021

Traffic is Boring: Tracking Elon Musk's tunneling proposals

Some projects for The Boring Co. have gotten off — or rather under — the ground, as others peter out. Here's where the ambitious plans stand today.

By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 17, 2021

Initiative will rethink San Francisco downtown for 'post-COVID' work patterns

How should a commercial downtown evolve if the masses of 9-to-5 workers don't return to pre-pandemic commuting? One San Francisco group has launched a project to address that question.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 15, 2021

Flooding risk complicates cities' push to legalize basement apartments

In the age of extreme weather, amid the deaths of 11 New Yorkers living in basement units following heavy rainfall from remnants of Hurricane Ida, cities aim to balance safety with affordable housing accessibility.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 11, 2021

Reassessing the smart cities movement

Smart Cities Dive asked 25 of the largest U.S. cities how they define a "smart city" and how that definition has evolved, the challenges they've faced in rolling out equitable policies and technologies, and their outlook for what's next.

By the Smart Cities Dive Team • Nov. 9, 2021

Transportation leaders react to passage of infrastructure bill with funds for transit, EVs, rail

Industry advocates and private sector players praised the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as a landmark first step while looking ahead to the Build Back Better Act.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 8, 2021

EV adoption poised to surge if Congress OKs $100B in purchase incentives, experts say

U.S. electric vehicle sales could finish 2021 at 5% of new purchases, according to industry observers. That's a milestone, but experts say adoption could really take off depending on federal government investments.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2021

Are digital twins the future of urban planning?

Digital 3D models can help city leaders plan for the future, but their value will depend on the data.

By Adina Solomon • Nov. 1, 2021

Flexibility, flight to suburbs emerge as pandemic real estate trends: report

Working from home has become a way of life that many people expect to continue. Experts are looking at what that will mean for downtown business districts.

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 25, 2021

How one of the hottest US cities is finally restructuring its heat response

The Phoenix City Council opted to fund an Office of Heat Response & Mitigation. Residents have demanded cities do "more, better, and faster for extreme heat for a long time," said inaugural Director David Hondula.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 19, 2021

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to meet cities’ pressing needs. Let’s get it done.

Passing the Biden infrastructure bill will have ripple effects across the U.S., writes Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, driving investments in areas including electric vehicles, energy efficiency and recycling infrastructure. 

By Kate Gallego • Oct. 18, 2021

City strategies evolve on American Rescue Plan spending

Local governments are working through the historic influx of federal funds, including newly available competitive grants, while infrastructure bill dollars remain at bay.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 14, 2021

5 ways New York City can overhaul its streets to be more resilient: report

A Regional Plan Association report calls for expanding bike lanes and busways, gradually phasing out free parking, adding green infrastructure to gather stormwater and more.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 13, 2021

Climate adaptation plans from US agencies envision transit resilience, modern building codes

The Biden administration's whole-of-government approach to climate resilience planning has environmental, transportation and housing regulators, among others, mapping out more equitable preparedness in communities.

By Maria Rachal • Oct. 12, 2021

Boston enacts building decarbonization ordinance

Acting Mayor Kim Janey signed an ordinance Tuesday requiring buildings 20,000 square feet or larger to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as a wave of cities pursue regulations to reduce building-sector emissions.

By Scott Pruden • Updated Oct. 6, 2021

9 creative asphalt art projects across the US: photos

Bloomberg Philanthropies recently awarded 26 cities with up to $25,000 each to install art projects that improve street safety. Smart Cities Dive rounded up eye-catching asphalt art projects from last year's winners. 

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 5, 2021

Digital twin tech challenge calls for sensor, geometry innovations

With the global market for the simulation technology estimated to reach $16 billion by 2023, a construction tech coalition is seeking new ideas to enhance how well the tools can inform decisions and potentially reduce costs.

By Sebastian Obando • Sept. 30, 2021