Los Angeles hired its first chief design officer. Will other cities follow suit?

After 13 years as an architecture critic for the Los Angeles Times, Christopher Hawthorne will take on a new role to help the city enhance its urban design.

By Kristin Musulin • March 19, 2018

Zero-energy buildings see big boost

Solar panels, efficient heat pumps, radiant cooling systems and techniques that improve building envelopes all contribute to green building's continuing rise.

By Laurie Cowin • March 15, 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

Smart intersections may be prone to 'congestion attacks'

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan found traffic lights can be tricked into thinking an intersection is full by just one connected vehicle.

By Chris Teale • March 8, 2018

DC welcomes first Affordable Housing Preservation Officer

Ana Lopez Van Balen will be responsible for preserving the city's existing affordable housing stock.

By Kristin Musulin • March 8, 2018

Los Angeles mayor promotes mandatory earthquake safeguards for buildings

A report says steel buildings constructed from the early 1970s through 1994 are susceptible to earthquake damage. 

By Kim Slowey • March 7, 2018

Spokane, WA moves to waive fees for solar panels, EV charging stations

City Council President Ben Stuckart said the cuts to building and construction permit fees are "one step in the right direction.”

By Chris Teale • Feb. 28, 2018

Automated parking garage opens in Oakland, CA

The Hive Parking Structure, which uses automated transporters and conveyor belts to park cars, is the first of its kind in Northern California.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 27, 2018

Smart Fusion Poles to shine light on connectivity in Huntington Beach, CA

The LED poles are optimized for small cell deployment and will enable the city to support 5G connectivity and various IoT applications.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 27, 2018

San Francisco to study potential $15B transportation tube under bay

San Francisco is losing transit riders, but officials say a new tube would accommodate twice the maximum ridership — although there is no funding for the project. 

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 27, 2018

Denver adopts affordable, inclusive housing plan

The five-year plan aims to create or preserve 3,000 affordable units by 2023.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 23, 2018

Resilient floating mixed-use complex proposed for New York City's Pier 40

DFA is designing the project to accommodate the anticipated sea level rise surrounding the city. Developers of waterfront buildings in other areas are planning for rising tides, too.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 20, 2018

Smart Infrastructure Challenge launched for cities, regional bodies

The competition will encourage governments and agencies to work together on shared regional plans.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 16, 2018

How universities’ smart campuses resemble mini smart cities

From IoT devices, to CIOs and autonomous vehicles, smart campuses act as testbeds for innovation — much like smart cities.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 16, 2018

Ft. Lauderdale, FL adopts 3-D zoning platform

Zonar.City is an interactive tool designed to improve efficiency and transparency.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 14, 2018

Trump infrastructure plan promises brighter future for rural broadband

The plan provides $50 billion in federal funding for a rural infrastructure program, which would include improving rural broadband internet offerings.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 13, 2018

Singapore is making a 3-D map of its subterranean spaces

The map will outline which underground spaces are available and possible pilot programs to fill them.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 12, 2018

No, Detroit is not banning Airbnb from residential zones

The brief enforcement of a zoning code update sparked backlash from city residents, who expressed disappointment and concern due to Airbnb being a source of income.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 9, 2018

Knoxville partnering with CNX to prepare for 5G network

The city will partner with the telecommunications company to evaluate existing laws and regulations, and determine if 5G receivers can be attached to city-owned property.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 9, 2018

Detroit quietly pushes Airbnb out of residential zones

An update to Detroit's zoning code went into effect this week, making it illegal for property owners to rent out their homes or apartments in the city's R1 and R2 zones.

By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 9, 2018

Maryland maglev train construction could begin as early as 2020

Maglev technology may not only cut commute times, but could influence the development of other products, such as elevators for tall buildings.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 6, 2018

San Francisco proposal would convert parking garage into affordable housing, hotel

For cities that are hindered by a lack of land on which to build new homes, transforming lesser used properties with a sizable footprint is a promising plan.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 6, 2018

FCC finalizes rural broadband auction details

The $2 billion auction aims to bring broadband to underserved rural areas.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 6, 2018

Left out in the cold: Protecting smart systems from extreme temperatures

Electronics don't run optimally in frigid weather, but smart system protections are "built into the sauce," experts say.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 6, 2018

Nonprofit sues Chicago for details on city’s Amazon HQ2 bid

Chicago is one of 20 finalists in the running for the tech company's $5 billion second headquarters.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 6, 2018

San Diego mayor proposes increasing live-work spaces

The goal is to increase housing supply and help the environment by reducing workers' need to commute.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 5, 2018