How AI and data turn city water management from an art to a science

Cities are looking to drones and other equipment for preventive maintenance, but it is uphill work as the sector traditionally resists change.

By Chris Teale • July 29, 2019

ACEEE scorecard: Few US cities on track to meet climate goals

Cities took on more than 265 climate initiatives in 2018 but most aren't adequately tracking their progress, and nearly 35% of cities have not set GHG reduction targets. 

By Katie Pyzyk • July 26, 2019

New York firm claims world's largest 3D-printed home

S-Squared's ambitions for its robotics machine extend from the 500-square-foot home to infrastructure and commercial buildings up to 1 million square feet.

By Kim Slowey • July 26, 2019

NYC to improve sidewalks for disabled groups, settlement rules

The agreement requires a citywide survey of curb cuts, mandating a schedule to ensure that every corner in the city becomes accessible.

By Cailin Crowe • July 25, 2019

London showcases bridges with 'Illuminated River' art display

The installation was designed to mitigate environmental impacts with LED lighting and connected lighting software that scans the structure for faults.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 25, 2019

How community leaders can plan for (and execute) a sustainable city

We're obligated as a society to care for the environment where we live, work and play. The map has been drawn; we simply need to follow the path.

By Steve Smith • July 23, 2019

Transforming small cities from manufacturing centers into tech hubs

The tech workforce needs not only well-paid jobs, but a place they want to go home to at night from those jobs. The latter is easier said than done. 

By Nigel Wilson • July 19, 2019

Cincinnati to add more EVs to its city fleet

The city is also engaging in programs to increase citizens' awareness of and exposure to EVs through partnerships with local and regional bodies.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 18, 2019

Berkeley, CA sets historic law banning natural gas from new buildings

Berkeley is the first U.S. city to pass such a measure, designed to curb GHG emissions and prepare new buildings for electric infrastructure.

By Kristin Musulin • July 18, 2019

USGBC seeks proposals to strengthen new LEED standard

LEED's environmental focus is meant to benefit communities, but it provides financial payoffs for building owners as well. 

By Kim Slowey • July 11, 2019

Using tech to predict earthquake damage

After a major seismic event, assessing the impact on buildings can be a chore, but new technology products can make such work a little easier.  

By Kim Slowey • July 11, 2019

The 6 most walkable urban areas

A new report ranked the 30 biggest U.S. metro areas based on the percentage of office, retail and rental multi-family space within walkable urban places. 

By Cailin Crowe • July 9, 2019

Hawaii to combat climate change with carbon-injected concrete

The green concrete can reduce embodied carbon by 25 pounds per cubic yard, according to the state's transportation department.

By Jason Plautz • July 8, 2019

US PIRG calls out 9 wasteful highway projects

The group's fifth Highway Boondoggles report says the projects, which collectively will cost $25 billion, will harm communities and the environment.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 26, 2019

5 takeaways from Sidewalk Labs' smart city master plan

The 1,500-page "Toronto Tomorrow" plan, released Monday, puts a $1.3 billion price tag on the project with hopes to catalyze $38 billion in investment by 2040.

By Kristin Musulin • June 25, 2019

Construction industry confidence makes a comeback in Q2 report

A new study from USG Corp. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found two primary drivers of contractor optimism have rebounded.

By Kim Slowey • June 21, 2019

Knight Foundation awards 7 designers transforming public spaces

The inaugural award recognizes leaders who engage communities with innovative public space designs, such as the High Line park in New York.

By Cailin Crowe • June 20, 2019

Keeping city streets clean and clear should be a top priority for any mayor

Residents and commuters deserve the streets around their home and place of work to be clean, safe and secure. That’s table stakes for being a city mayor.

By Michael Allegretti • June 19, 2019

Cycling, walking commissioners criticize 'insufficient' infrastructure in Britain

Safety advocates wrote an open letter claiming the government has wasted "hundreds of millions of pounds" on painted bicycle lanes.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 18, 2019

Providence, RI releases complete streets draft master plan

A key point of the plan is to create a comprehensive "urban trail network" that connects each of the city's neighborhoods.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 14, 2019

FCC to distribute $166M in rural broadband funding for 22 states

The Connect America fund will provide $1.5 billion over 10 years to bring broadband access to 700,000 rural homes and businesses.

By Jason Plautz • June 14, 2019

NYC legislation addresses street design, safety

Council members passed a bill to support Vision Zero principles as New York's traffic deaths have seen an uptick so far this year.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 4, 2019

Police say 8% of Baltimore's CitiWatch cameras don't work

Funding woes and system neglect are cited as causes for the outages, which reportedly affect 59 of the city's 744 closed circuit cameras.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 29, 2019

Report: Mayors shift talking points to reflect health, environmental issues

Infrastructure and economic development remain the biggest concerns, but other areas have moved into the spotlight as city leaders deal with myriad issues.

By Chris Teale • May 24, 2019

To make a more accessible city, turn to the sidewalk

Universities, advocacy groups and startups are all exploring how to bring "big data to accessibility" in order to transform mobility for disabled communities.

By Jason Plautz • May 23, 2019