Google details 80-acre mixed-use project in San Jose, CA

The tech giant is moving forward on the 8 million-square-foot Downtown West project in conjunction with Lendlease, SITElab urban studio and other firms.

By Jennifer Goodman • Oct. 12, 2020

How varying building codes affect offsite construction

Modular building codes and regulations vary across jurisdictions. How are offsite builders supposed to know which hurdles to jump through?

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 6, 2020

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

USGBC expands green building resilience resources

The U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. released a suite of tools to support green building initiatives amid the costly threats of climate change and the coronavirus. 

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 2, 2020

Preparing cities for a post-pandemic retail market

Trends that persist post-COVID will require sweeping infrastructure changes far beyond the ability of cities or retailers to implement alone.

By DeAnn Campbell • Oct. 2, 2020

Cities push ahead on EEaaS as private sector plays catch up

Forms of Energy Efficiency as a Service have existed for decades as alternative funding mechanisms in cities. Now, as technologies accelerate and COVID-19 continues, the private sector wants in.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 1, 2020

What contractors should know about Wi-Fi connectivity in office construction

In a recent webinar, two tech experts explained the basics for earning a good connectivity score early in the construction process.

By Zachary Phillips • Sept. 29, 2020

Sidewalk Labs tool aims to boost building energy efficiency

Mesa, which uses automation and real-time data to optimize energy use, is part of a suite of products developed in the wake of the company's Toronto exit.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 22, 2020

Equity sits at the center of Chicago’s new transit development plan

The policy plan is designed to advance racial equity, public health and climate resilience via pedestrian-friendly development near transit hubs, particularly in underinvested neighborhoods. 

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 16, 2020

Mayors to prioritize infrastructure, tech investments in COVID recovery: survey

The study by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Siemens USA found that with budgets taking a major hit from the pandemic, mayors see these investments as key ways to generate jobs.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 16, 2020

‘Aggressive’ federal aid would push US to net zero emissions by 2050: report

America's Pledge released its fourth-annual U.S. climate analysis, finding to its "great surprise" that the pandemic is not slowing climate progress.

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 14, 2020

Austin, TX affordable housing map illustrates perks of transit proximity

Ahead of a vote on Austin's proposed $7.1B Project Connect transit system, the city built an interactive map tracking income-restricted housing to aid equitable mobility and prevent potential displacement. 

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 11, 2020

NACTO selects 10 cities for pandemic street design grants

The cities will receive $25,000 to transform streets by addressing inequities like access to healthcare, COVID-19 information or outdoor dining. 

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 1, 2020

Senate Democrats reveal climate plan to achieve net-zero carbon economy

The report calls on Congress to spend at least 2% of annual U.S. GDP on climate actions and require federal regulators to ensure publicly-traded companies disclose climate risks.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 27, 2020

Rethinking the 20-minute city in light of police shootings, COVID-19

Although the concept of the "walkable" city is not new, the pandemic and protests against systemic racism present an opportunity for city leaders to incorporate a lens of racial equity into their neighborhood planning, according to Gensler's urban strategies and design leader. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 25, 2020

In the race to re-occupancy, policies must consider how modern buildings operate

City leaders must view the slow return to offices as an opportunity to make smart adjustments to building operations that can be modified amid shifting guidelines. 

By Tim Curran • Aug. 24, 2020

Tennessee dedicates $3M to bridge Chattanooga students' digital divide

The Tennessee Community CARES funding will support a public-private partnership that aims to provide free high-speed internet to 28,000 students learning at home. 

By Katie Pyzyk , Kristin Musulin • Updated Sept. 30, 2020

Pilot shows early COVID-19 detection in city wastewater

The project in the City of Ashkelon, Israel, can pinpoint coronavirus infections by streets and neighborhoods, which could help mitigate spread and keep lockdowns localized.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 19, 2020

A greenway is more than just a pretty park — it's a catalyst for change

Greenways offer a breath of fresh air, but when planning and building them, leaders must realize their full potential for social and economic impact.

By Todd Antoine • Aug. 18, 2020

NACTO playbook weaves kid-friendly design into open street plans

The Designing Streets for Kids initiative aims to help cities keep children safe and entertained outside, particularly as many are stuck at home due to the pandemic. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 7, 2020

Avian-friendly buildings are not just for the birds

Howard County, MD is the latest jurisdiction to mandate bird-friendly construction standards, but it's not just the cardinals and hummingbirds that stand to benefit.

By Amanda Loudin • Aug. 7, 2020

Mandated energy efficiency scores would influence home buying: ACEEE

An empirical study of how U.S. homeowners value energy efficiency information found that homebuyers are more likely to purchase an efficient home if that data is presented in a listing.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 6, 2020

Houston votes to put the ‘emphasis on walking’ in future development

City councilmembers unanimously backed new ordinances that look to encourage pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development near public transportation.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 6, 2020

NYC seeks 30 firms for 'inspirational' public building projects

The city's Department of Design and Construction has issued two RFPs for architectural and technical design services to support its Project Excellence Program.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 5, 2020

Housing is healthcare. It’s time for Congress to shore up LIHTC

Congress must enact a minimum 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit rate to ensure affordable housing projects remain financially viable amid the pandemic.

By David Rowe • Aug. 4, 2020

The top 10 cities for construction workers: study

Small and midsize cities pay above-average construction wages and boast modest costs of living that make them excellent locations for workers in the industry, according to a new analysis.

By Jennifer Goodman • Aug. 3, 2020