A look back at the top trends that shaped cities in 2018

From 5G battles to consolidation in mobility, these are the trends and innovations that altered the smart cities space this year.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 20, 2018

How driverless vehicles could take employment past 'business as usual'

AVs could revolutionize the workforce, from allowing employees to work while commuting to providing completely new entrepreneurial ventures. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 18, 2018

The real estate trends expected to shape cities in 2019

The Urban Land Institute and PwC's annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate report suggests cybersecurity risk management and resilience planning will be top trends in the new year.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 13, 2018

USDOT awards $1.5B in infrastructure grants

The funding comes from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants program, and leans toward rural projects.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 12, 2018

3 steps to minimize cybersecurity risks while reaping the benefits of smart building tech

A networked system of IT infrastructure and building controls is the foundation of optimizing building performance. However, this system creates a source for new cybersecurity risks.

By Casey Talon • Dec. 11, 2018

Report calls for gas tax hike and 'miles-traveled' tax

The gas tax has not been increased since 1993 and its Highway Trust Fund, which pays for infrastructure improvements, is predicted to zero out by 2020. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 11, 2018

The smart city conferences to check out in 2019

Next year has a full slate of industry conferences, featuring conversations with top public and private officials on the pressing issues facing cities.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 2018

Link kiosks expand to downtown Philadelphia

The 100 LinkPHL kiosks, set up by tech and media company Intersection, will provide free Wi-Fi, device charging and information on transit, city services and weather.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 2018

Musk's Boring Co. switches Los Angeles tunnel focus to Dodgers stadium

The tunneling firm reportedly has abandoned plans for a high-speed transit tunnel in Westside in favor of one that will serve the MLB park.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 6, 2018

Congress urged to use public, not private, dollars to invest in infrastructure

Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR, derided the Trump administration's previous infrastructure plan as "ridiculous," and said that the federal government must step up on funding.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 6, 2018

San Jose, CA approves land sale for Google development

The tech giant will build an 50-acre transit-oriented development of offices, shops and restaurants, which is expected to bring at least 20,000 employees to the area.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 5, 2018

San Francisco votes to eliminate parking minimums

Legislation will strip language from the city's planning code that developers include a certain number of parking spaces for new construction.

By Jason Plautz • Updated Dec. 19, 2018

Now that I-95 is complete, what's next?

There is still a need to connect the country, but not by asphalt. This time, the building blocks will be made of silicon and lines of software code.

By Robert Smith • Nov. 30, 2018

How cities are affected by the federal climate report — and how they're fighting back

Extreme weather threatens to destroy urban areas while transportation systems may buckle, but there is optimism that city leaders will keep moving things forward.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 27, 2018

Lessons learned: How smaller cities can get smart

Every municipality, regardless of its size and means, faces challenges when it comes to serving citizens. It’s critical for local governments to find a way around these barriers.

By Matt Bosch • Nov. 26, 2018

How MINI is moving beyond cars to promote better urban living

The BMW-owned automaker is shrinking its manufacturing arm and moving into areas including real estate, fashion and mobility as it looks to reorient its brand.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 20, 2018

How to modernize development through low-impact paving

Rather than turning cities into heat islands, development sites can return a natural ecology to the land, absorbing water as an undeveloped natural site would do. 

By Barry Stiles • Nov. 19, 2018

A look at the rental housing markets in Amazon's new HQ locations

Long Island City, NY and Crystal City, VA witnessed year-over-year rent growth of 5.1% and 5%, respectively, according to data from RENTCafé​​.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 15, 2018

Are master systems integrators the missing link to mass-market smart buildings?

Today, systems integrators are an important part of the equation in installing automation or IT systems, but there is a huge opportunity to take services to the next level. 

By Casey Talon • Nov. 14, 2018

What you need to know about Amazon's HQs in NYC, Northern Virginia

Navigating the legal agreements of $5 billion in investments — and requests for helipads. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Nov. 14, 2018

Amazon confirms NYC, Northern Virginia as HQ2 locations

The company also announced a new Operations Center of Excellence in Nashville, TN.

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale • Nov. 13, 2018

Fixing Chicago's freight rail congestion

Chicago is America's busiest freight rail hub, but severe congestion has stakeholders investing in infrastructure and technological improvements.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 12, 2018

Could midterm election results spark a renewed infrastructure push?

While leaders have increasingly talked about rebuilding America's roads, bridges and networks, political realities may prevent much progress on the bipartisan issue.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 8, 2018

Back to the future: 5 cities resurrecting historic buildings

More and more cities are using their older structures for new uses, whether it be in transportation, for research or to cultivate startups and technology.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 7, 2018

Honolulu named winner of Bloomberg's American Cities Climate Challenge

The city is the 18th honoree of 20 to be named, and is expected to use the assistance for initiatives such as green transportation and buildings.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 5, 2018