Equity: Page 8

  • Aerial shot of trees in front of Chicago skyline
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    Retrieved from USDA Forest Service.
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    Forest Service unveils 385 urban forestry projects to get over $1B in grants

    The Inflation Reduction Act bolstered the program's funding to more than 27 times its 2022 appropriation. Explore which states received the largest investments with our map.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 15, 2023
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    Extreme heat disproportionately threatens Black renters, experts say

    Black renters disproportionately experience energy insecurity, which stems from an inability to pay energy bills, and federal policy falls short in addressing it, a Brookings Metro report says.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 13, 2023
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    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
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    Broadband affordability program enrolls 20M+ US households, most in urban areas

    Some cities are advancing their own plans to bridge the digital divide using American Rescue Plan Act and other funding sources.

    By Iulia Gheorghiu • Sept. 12, 2023
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    EPA seeks advisers on ‘critical’ local government issues

    The Environmental Protection Agency will pick up to five officials who represent local, state, tribal or territorial governments to serve one-year terms.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 8, 2023
  • A red and gray Los Angeles Metro bus is driving through an intersection along Broadway in downtown LA.
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    How 2 big US transit agencies approach equity

    Community members, small businesses and the agency's own workforce can provide crucial input to programs and projects, agency executives said.

    By • Sept. 8, 2023
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    FEMA selects ‘disaster resilience zones’ to get priority access to federal funds

    The 483 census tracts span D.C. and all 50 states. More communities will be designated as community disaster resilience zones in the coming months.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 7, 2023
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    Permission granted by GAF
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    Cool pavement covers this LA neighborhood. Does it make a difference?

    Project partners released their findings a year into what they described as “one of the most comprehensive studies of an urban cooling intervention.” 

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 5, 2023
  • A person with a hat on and towel around neck sits on a porch in front of a fan.
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    Heat-related illness: New federal tool reveals highest-risk communities

    Officials can use the online dashboard, updated weekly, to prioritize where to focus on outreach, cooling centers, street trees, parks and cool roofs, according to the Transportation Department.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 31, 2023
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    California clean vehicle rebate program expands statewide

    The state's rebate incentives will help lower-income consumers access electric and fuel-cell vehicles.

    By • Aug. 24, 2023
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    4 communities to build anti-racist data ecosystems with $5M from foundations

    Pittsburgh will use the grant to include Black communities “at the point where data is first discussed, before, sometimes, even the point of data collection,” said the city’s chief data officer.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 23, 2023
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    Q&A

    What managed retreat around the world can teach US cities

    In a future where managed retreat relocations “become more and more popular,” a Stanford University researcher’s work may hold crucial lessons.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 21, 2023
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    For emergency preparedness, Houston looks to teens

    The city launched an educational campaign after identifying emergency preparedness as a top youth need in a process that led to it being named the nation’s first UNICEF-designated child-friendly city. 

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 18, 2023
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Ride-hailing vehicles must be zero-emission in NYC by 2030 under proposed rule

    Uber and Lyft vehicles that are wheelchair-accessible would be exempt from the zero-emission requirement. Ride-hailing drivers worry about the cost of buying new vehicles to comply.

    By • Aug. 17, 2023
  • Housing on a residential street with city skyline in background.
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    Boston grants aim to lower carbon footprint of affordable housing

    Building owners can get up to $10,000 each for comprehensive energy assessments.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 16, 2023
  • A person sits on the front steps of a house in Houston during a heat wave.
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    Extreme heat causing ‘preventable’ deaths in US cities, scientists say

    Heat wave early warning and response systems “save lives,” but not enough communities have them, said an expert on the health risks of climate change.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 15, 2023
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    Opinion

    On environmental justice, a new blueprint for action

    Chicago violated residents’ civil rights by funneling industrial facilities into communities of color, HUD determined, and the city must make things right.

    By Gina Ramirez • Aug. 14, 2023
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    How ‘snob zoning’ blocks opportunity

    Exclusionary zoning policies’ problems — and possible solutions – are on the mind of Richard Kahlenberg, author of the new book “Excluded.”

    By Joan Mooney • Aug. 10, 2023
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    For urban cooling, forests beat street trees, landscaped parks: study

    Urban natural areas are “underfunded and unprotected, leaving them imperiled in cities across the country," warns a study of 12 U.S. cities.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 9, 2023
  • A row of green bicycles on a rack next to a sidewalk.
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    Q&A

    How to safely store e-bikes, e-scooters in apartments

    The uptick in micromobility battery fires shows electrification is "moving faster than we’re able to necessarily adapt to," a fire protection expert at an engineering consulting firm said.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Aug. 3, 2023
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    Extreme heat merits federal major disaster status, local leaders say

    Proposed federal legislation would unlock much-needed resources for local extreme heat response, say the National League of Cities and U.S. Conference of Mayors.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 1, 2023
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    Seattle downtown revitalization plan reimagines area post-pandemic

    The plan aims to make downtown safer and more welcoming, but critics say it comes at a cost for people living on the streets.

    By Joan Mooney • July 24, 2023
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    These 5 cities aim to cool down by scaling up ‘smart surfaces’ in coming years

    The benefits of implementing these surfaces across a city may far outweigh the costs, according to the nonprofit Smart Surfaces Coalition, which is leading the initiative announced Thursday.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • July 24, 2023
  • A pedestrian, EMT and fire department representative stand around a n FDNY table and van promoting lithium ion battery safety along a New York street.
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    Deadly battery fires from e-bikes, scooters prompt action in NYC

    The city launched an education campaign, as legislators push for new policy and community groups strive to reach micromobility-reliant delivery workers.

    By Kalena Thomhave • July 21, 2023
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    Bezos fund commits $400M for urban green space, with initial $50M for 5 cities

    To help underserved areas, the first round of awards from the Amazon founder’s climate solutions organization will support 24 urban greening organizations and six national organizations.

    By Ysabelle Kempe • July 20, 2023
  • A protected bike lane in a city.
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    Transportation inequities won’t be solved by continuing past practices: report

    The report is geared to elected officials that "are talking about equity" but don't understand that existing programs aren't designed to deliver those results, "no matter how much money you put into it," a transportation policy expert said. 

    By • July 20, 2023