Kanye West's affordable housing prototypes demolished

West failed to secure building permits for his "Yeezy Home" initiative, leading to the demolition of at least three prototypes on his property.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated Sept. 17, 2019

Nonprofit touts benefits of housing deconstruction over demolition

Cities can encourage material reuse and recycling by incorporating deconstruction principles in C&D waste diversion ordinances. 

By Katie Pyzyk • June 5, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Downtown Portland's record $1B development includes little affordable housing

Of the residential units built or under construction in the Oregon city since 2011, only 10% are categorized as affordable.

By Kim Slowey • May 30, 2018

Portland, OR to standardize protected bike lane design

The city will soon roll out an official design book that will offer seven basic designs for various streets and intersections. 

By Jason Plautz • May 29, 2018

New Orleans zoning proposal would end some short-term home rentals

The zoning change could lead to a permanent ban on homeowners using platforms such as Airbnb.

By Chris Teale • May 24, 2018

The smarter buildings dilemma: To redevelop or start afresh?

Adding smart technology to an older structure could save money, although the advent of more new features makes redevelopment an attractive option.

By Chris Teale • May 24, 2018

Minneapolis unveils plan to ‘undo’ history of housing segregation

Mayor Jacob Frey released a $50 million proposal to preserve affordable housing units and build new ones — a key campaign pledge.

By Chris Teale • May 22, 2018

Bipartisan group of senators urge improvements in rural broadband

In a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the 63 lawmakers called for regular, long-term investment in a program that keeps rates similar for those in urban and rural areas.

By Chris Teale • May 22, 2018

Developer JBG Smith unveils 'affordable workforce' housing plans for Washington, DC

Keeping housing affordable is an issue cities wrestle with across the U.S., and this initiative could be a model for others to follow.

By Chris Teale • May 21, 2018

Lawsuits threaten to derail Musk's Los Angeles tunnel

Activists in Southern California are pushing back against the city's proposal to exempt the tunnel plans from some environmental reviews.

By Kim Slowey • May 17, 2018

Report: Amazon wraps up visits to 20 HQ2 finalists

Finalists already feel the impact. If it is attractive to Amazon, then it is attractive to other companies. Newark, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Austin, Texas had an increase in inquiries from other companies looking for a base. 

By Samantha Schwartz • May 17, 2018

Navigating the digital transformation of commercial buildings

The most sophisticated intelligent buildings are defined by integration of building management systems with business intelligence tools, writes Navigant Research Director Casey Talon.

By Casey Talon • May 16, 2018

Sacramento weighs restricting gas stations, drive-throughs near transit stops

The ban would be a real-world test of how to favor high-density or pedestrian-friendly businesses over "transit-adjacent" ones that require cars.

By Jason Plautz • May 16, 2018

Canadian transportation infrastructure remains an obstacle for seniors

Among the problems are uneven sidewalks, short crossing times at crosswalks and a lack of assistance on public transit.

By Jason Plautz • May 15, 2018

Detroit to cut 2 lanes from major thoroughfare as part of safety initiative

The city has stepped up in recent years to expand beyond its car-centric culture and make things safer for non-drivers.

By Jason Plautz • May 15, 2018

IoT lighting is advantageous for the shifting retail landscape

Lighting manufacturers and technology firms are creating new use cases for a lighting system that addresses customer pain points.

By Krystal Maxwell • May 10, 2018

Seattle City Council approves scaled-back head tax

Amazon Vice President Drew Herdener derided the plan as a "tax on jobs," but said the company has resumed construction on a high-profile project in the city.

By Chris Teale • Updated May 15, 2018

Smart Infrastructure Challenge winners to receive at least $50M

Prizes are available in four competition tracks, with victors to be unveiled in October's Fall 2018 Smart Regions Conference in Columbus, OH.

By Chris Teale • April 27, 2018

Virtual radar could reduce permitting delays

Two universities developed an augmented reality-based ground-penetrating radar system to show 3-D objects in real time.

By Joe Beeton • April 27, 2018

Los Angeles speeds up review for Musk's test tunnel

An environmental review granted an exemption that could shave months or even years from the test project's schedule if the full city council gets behind it.

By Kim Slowey • April 25, 2018

City leaders criticize HUD for rollbacks on affordable housing

At an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, speakers said the federal department should do more to prevent segregation.

By Chris Teale • April 23, 2018

Portland, OR to improve infrastructure planning through bike data collection

Ride Report app users can track their cycling progress and provide feedback on facilities to the city.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 23, 2018

University lab to test autonomous roofing drones

Drones that can inspect and install roofs are one type of flying vehicle in the spotlight at the University of Michigan's M-Air.

By Joe Beeton • April 20, 2018

California lawmakers kill contentious housing bill

The polarizing legislation died on Tuesday after lawmakers agreed it was not the most effective measure to address growing costs.

By Kristin Musulin • April 18, 2018

Hyperloop TT starts construction of full-scale hyperloop system

When completed in 2019, the result will be the first full-scale hyperloop system in the world.

By Kim Slowey • April 18, 2018