Denver creates new role to advance building decarbonization incentives

As buildings and homes account for 64% of the city's GHG emissions, the city created what's believed to be a first-of-its-kind role to support new strategies after voters greenlit a $40 million Climate Protection Fund last year.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 28, 2021

City leaders urge Congress to pass bipartisan infrastructure bill

As federal infrastructure funding moves through Congress, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S. Conference of Mayors released an e311 program to help city leaders navigate the billions available for COVID-19 recovery.

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 27, 2021

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

Cool pavements research builds as temperatures rise

Arizona State University and MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub researchers recently shared their respective studied benefits and lingering questions about how lighter pavements could impact urban heat island effects.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 24, 2021

Portland, Maine, to bulk-purchase clean energy equipment in electrification push

The “Electrify Everything” campaign focuses on voluntary measures. “If someone wants to decarbonize 100%, that’s great. But we know most people want help just taking the first step," said the city's sustainability coordinator.

By Jason Plautz • Sept. 23, 2021

Buildings are infrastructure, so Congress should treat them that way

Creating a 21st-century transportation network while letting our nation’s buildings crumble is no way to responsibly address an infrastructure crisis, let alone build back better, writes a former congressman and association exec.

By Russ Carnahan and Vincent R. Sandusky • Sept. 16, 2021

When there's a will, there's a way: Building the foundation for municipal EV infrastructure

Electric vehicles (EV) are no longer a novelty. Local leaders can begin to expand their EV infrastructure by first building the local will and political capital, while also investing in workforce development. 

By Celeste Frye • Sept. 1, 2021

The Boring Co. wants to build an underground transit loop in flood-prone Fort Lauderdale. Can it be done?

Transportation experts say the project is possible, but building a tunnel under South Florida is expensive. "You can engineer yourself out of any problem," said one expert, but it comes at a cost.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Sept. 1, 2021

New lobbying group to advocate for cities amid potential windfall of federal infrastructure dollars

The Coalition for Urban Innovation, including Sidewalk Labs, Replica and the Smart Cities Council, wants federal policies and spending to prioritize cities.

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 25, 2021

Equity concerns drive changes to federal community hazard mitigation program

After lower-resourced areas and Midwest, Mountain West and Gulf states lost out in the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program's first year, FEMA aims to boost disadvantaged rural communities' access to grants.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 20, 2021

Infrastructure deal's 'no strings attached' funding prioritizes new highways, experts warn

As federal and local officials decry a controversial Houston-area highway widening proposal, the U.S. infrastructure deal could make it easier for states to fund similar projects, transportation advocates say.

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 18, 2021

3D-printed concrete to help build $147B UK high-speed rail system

The new technology that prints structures on-site will reduce the amount of concrete used, thereby nearly cutting carbon emissions in half.

By Matthew Thibault • Aug. 17, 2021

As heat island effects worsen due to climate change, cities try to adapt

Cities are adding cooling measures like trees and lighter pavement to reduce urban heat island effects as record temperatures sweep the nation.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 17, 2021

What’s in the infrastructure bill for smart cities?

The Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation grant program would offer funds to governments for new tech demo projects pertaining to transportation, energy efficiency and connectivity.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 12, 2021

California takes a first-of-its-kind step on building decarbonization

Following many cities' actions to rein in building emissions, the state energy commission voted to adopt an updated building energy code that makes electric heat pumps the baseline technology for space and water heating.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 12, 2021

New initiative urges contractors to work with owners to reduce building emissions

The effort aims to create policies that lower emissions from the built environment, establish practices that shrink contractors' carbon footprint, and encourage clients to pursue more climate-friendly buildings.

By Joe Bousquin • Aug. 5, 2021

4 US cities among the top 10 most expensive places to build in the world

The pandemic has worsened issues around supply chains and skilled labor, raising construction costs in cities, according to a new report.

By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 2, 2021

DOE says new building codes to cut energy costs by $138B, but EV backers see failure to advance charging

A requirement that new homes be wired for electric vehicle charging was not included in the final version.

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2021

Senate votes to advance bill with $550B for aging US infrastructure

Far smaller than Biden's American Jobs Plan, the bipartisan bill will next enter a phase of debates and amendments.

By Zachary Phillips • Updated July 29, 2021

Queens is on a quest to become a ‘smart borough’

A recently elected borough president aims to transform Queens. But one expert cautions the need for a "thoughtful, intentional and iterative" strategy, as smart city planning is "not for the faint of heart." 

By Katie Pyzyk • July 26, 2021

California approves expedited pathway for near-term utility EV investments

The decision will help California move toward its goal of deploying five million zero-emission vehicles by 2030, along with 250,000 light-duty or passenger vehicle chargers by 2025.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 16, 2021

Challenge to Berkeley gas regulation dismissed, a win for cities in carbon emissions fight

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit last week that challenged the city's restrictions on natural gas in new low-rise residential buildings, a major boost for local governments looking to follow suit.

By Chris Teale • July 16, 2021

Southern California Edison plans for 38,000 EV charging stations in next five years

The utility's $436 million program, the largest initiative of its kind by any investor-owned utility, will include an "added emphasis" on installing electric vehicle chargers in multifamily apartment and condo buildings. 

By Scott Van Voorhis • July 15, 2021

Wichita, Kansas, to revive its downtown with unique 'Midwestern placemaking' design

The National Endowment for the Arts awarded the city and local partners $75,000 to pair artists with local businesses to create storefront "front porches," helping the local economy recover from the pandemic. 

By Kristi Eaton • July 14, 2021

Condo collapse spurs inspections, questions about other city towers

Florida municipalities ramp up building inspections after uneven and lax enforcement, and as insurers and residents across the country ponder the implications of high-rise living.  

By Joe Bousquin • July 12, 2021

Local leaders from 12 cities to attend vacant property leadership institute

Amid expectations the number of vacant proprieties will rise due to the pandemic, local leaders from across four states will attend an intensive training to learn how to best transform and maintain them.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 12, 2021