Senators call for changes to ‘inefficient’ disaster recovery funding program

The status quo leaves disaster-struck communities in the lurch as they wait for Congress to OK recovery funds, experts said at a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 18, 2023

Public housing residents get free college advising in LA program

The “no-barrier” program, open to residents of any age or educational attainment, provides mentors and other guidance.

By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 12, 2023

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

For climate resilience, housing is ‘the name of the game’ in this fast-growing US city

Population is booming in Jacksonville, Florida, but to avoid putting people at increased risk, the city is eyeing paradigm shifts in development patterns.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 11, 2023

HUD announces new building decarbonization efforts at COP28

As the U.S. pledges to make near-zero-emissions buildings the “new normal” by 2030, the housing agency is teaming up with other departments for access to the best available data and research.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 7, 2023

Kansas City, Missouri, proposal would ban discrimination based on housing vouchers

The city could join more than 120 jurisdictions that outlaw providers from denying housing due to a renter’s source of income.

By Mary Salmonsen • Dec. 6, 2023

New housing slows regional rent growth: NYU researchers

Critics of new construction as a way to boost affordable housing worry about gentrification and displacement. A new report counters such arguments.

By Mary Salmonsen • Dec. 6, 2023

Cooling cities while reducing emissions: 3 takeaways from UN report

Increasing air conditioning and refrigeration needs threaten to drive up greenhouse gas emissions, pushing experts to recommend more passive solutions in a Dec. 5 report.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 6, 2023

US DOT announces $1.5B round of RAISE grants for 2024

The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program supports road, rail, transit and port projects, and is open to a wide range of applicants.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 1, 2023

EPA announces $2B for local environmental justice projects

Federal climate funding has been criticized as difficult for less-resourced communities to access. The new grant program includes key elements to counter such challenges.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 22, 2023

Not your mother’s library: How book-borrowing institutions are evolving

With resources that range from teaching kitchens to 3D printers, libraries across the U.S. are innovating to meet the changing needs of urban communities.

By Kalena Thomhave • Nov. 17, 2023

Biden announces $6B for climate resilience as report warns of ‘insufficient’ adaptation

Most U.S. climate adaptation actions are “incremental” rather than “transformative,” the nation’s preeminent report on climate change says.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 14, 2023

Cities tackle rising pedestrian deaths

Experts cite risky, distracted and impaired driving — as well as less traffic enforcement — as factors sending pedestrian fatalities to new highs. Can new funding reverse the tide?

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 6, 2023

LA hotels won’t be required to house homeless people as city rethinks ballot measure

The Los Angeles City Council proposed a revised version after striking a deal with the union of hospitality workers sponsoring the measure.

By Noelle Mateer • Nov. 3, 2023

Advocates hope federal funding will help stem the tide of pedestrian deaths

Complete Streets, Vision Zero and the safe system approach all aim to improve pedestrian safety. The federal government is finally putting big dollars behind the effort, too.

By Dan Zukowski , Julia Himmel , Shaun Lucas • Nov. 3, 2023

EPA kicks off effort to help communities use climate, environmental justice funds

The agency will host a six-day “national virtual open house" starting on Nov. 6, which will include panels about how communities can use “historic” federal funds to address pollution and climate change challenges. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 2, 2023

Can Sun Belt cities go from danger zones to pedestrian-friendly?

Tucson, Jacksonville, Los Angeles and other fast-growing, car-centric cities are focusing on street design and other strategies to slow drivers.

By Dan Zukowski , Julia Himmel , Shaun Lucas • Nov. 2, 2023

US drivers kill 20 pedestrians a day. Here’s what cities are doing about it.

Targeted interventions aim to reduce the higher pedestrian death rates in communities of color and low-income communities and make cities more walkable for all.

By Dan Zukowski , Julia Himmel , Shaun Lucas • Nov. 1, 2023

‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ law aims to help battle California’s housing crisis

The recently signed bill allows religious groups and nonprofit colleges to build affordable housing on their land without strict adherence to zoning standards. 

By Ellia Thompson • Oct. 31, 2023

EPA pours $128M into environmental justice projects

The Environmental Protection Agency chose 186 projects led by community groups and local governments and counts several waste and recycling initiatives among its recipients.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 25, 2023

70+ cities, groups report progress a year after committing to shared-mobility goals

The shared-use mobility “action agenda” seeks to reduce reliance on private vehicles while creating more sustainable and equitable transportation systems.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 24, 2023

8 cities to install public art projects with Bloomberg Philanthropies grants

The winners include Houston, which aims to “disrupt perceptions of homelessness,” and Phoenix, which will commission artists to create shading and cooling installations.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 20, 2023

Washington, DC’s ban on cashless businesses, explained

As contactless, digital and card transactions become more common, the district has joined state and local governments preserving residents' right to pay cash.

By Paige Gross • Oct. 19, 2023

NYC plans greenway expansion amid concern about cycling deaths

Supporters of the expansion called it “historic," but other street safety decisions have left advocates feeling betrayed by the mayor, reports news organization Gothamist.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 18, 2023

Colleges can take steps to address the affordable housing crisis

From contributing underutilized land to tapping government support, institutions can help alleviate the problem — and get a return on their investment. 

By Eric Maribojoc • Oct. 17, 2023

Why Los Angeles’ climate plan has ‘outlived its usefulness’: city controller

The new report says the plan has the same shortcoming as those in many other cities: a lack of meaningful metrics. What should the California city do now? 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 16, 2023