San Diego housing density bonus is spurring affordable units: report

Amid a crucial housing shortage in Southern California, developers have leveraged a city incentive program to build thousands of units since 2016.

By Danielle McLean • April 21, 2022

Participatory budgeting experiments aim to meet residents where they are

“The process is one of the products,” said Doug Matthews, assistant city manager in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is leaving $2 million up to citizen-driven spending. “This is full-contact civic education and engagement.”

By Karen Kroll • April 20, 2022

Harassment and intimidation are driving local leaders away from public service, and we all stand to lose

“I genuinely worry about how our nation’s cities, towns and villages will attract and retain the talent we need,” writes the head of the National League of Cities.

By Clarence E. Anthony • April 19, 2022

Study: Burnout is high in the public sector, especially among workforce minorities

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.More than ...

By Andy Castillo • April 19, 2022

Proposed California EV regs could be adopted by other states

In a bid to ramp up zero-emission vehicle sales, the policy move could ultimately enable regulators "to set the national standards that we need to meet our climate goals," said one transportation and clean air policy expert.

By Dan Zukowski • April 18, 2022

New York City civic engagement survey gathers over 62,000 community voices

The effort aimed to collect a diverse and representative sample of the city’s population for the start of a three-part effort to build consensus around city priorities.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 14, 2022

Bird pilot aims to give NYC wheelchair users reliable and fast transport options

Under New York’s e-scooter pilot program, Bird is providing a first-of-its-kind motorized attachment free to individuals who use wheelchairs.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 13, 2022

California regulators to update vehicle emission requirements as state seeks to spur EV transition

The California Air Resources Board will update regulations for vehicles emissions and zero-emission vehicle requirements, as advocates want automakers mandated to make electric vehicles available to frontline communities. 

By Dan Zukowski • April 13, 2022

City leaders share ideas on how to maximize federal dollars

At the Smart Cities Connect conference last week, local leaders called for a rethink of how cities seek to allocate federal dollars, including through community engagement, data-led decisions and regional collaborations. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 12, 2022

Free online resource saves time for public buyers as they search for the right cooperative contract

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Public buy...

By Michael Keating • April 11, 2022

5 smart city leaders weigh in on the industry’s biggest challenges

At last week's Smart Cities Connect conference in Columbus, Ohio, attendees shared what they think is preventing cities from achieving their smart city goals.

By Cailin Crowe • April 11, 2022

LA could build shelter beds for 60% of unhoused population under settlement agreement

The potentially $3 billion undertaking would create thousands of beds over five years. But despite its ability to aid unhoused people who "fall through the cracks," housing experts caution about the impacts of "shelter-first strategies." 

By Danielle McLean • April 11, 2022

For the Building Performance Standards Coalition to be effective, the White House must think bigger

The former head of the U.S. Green Building Council weighs in on how federal, state and local government partners can go beyond just reducing building emissions as they pursue decarbonization.  

By Mahesh Ramanujam • April 8, 2022

How local governments can overcome federal grant roadblocks

As the nation begins to recover from the pandemic and prepares for the possibility of another harmful variant, it’s critical that local governments access all available federal grant funds they’re eligible for to meet community needs.

By Merril Oliver • April 7, 2022

Transportation Department outlines $20B for transit available this year through infrastructure law

Funding is slated to benefit transit projects in all 50 states and nearly 200 communities and go to some 30 programs supporting everything from pavement repair to enhancing mobility options for older adults.

By Dan Zukowski • April 7, 2022

Universal basic mobility program in Oakland, California, provided lessons in achieving equity, leveraging community partnerships

The pilot met its goal of increasing transit use and gave the city insight on the administrative structures needed to distribute benefits via prepaid cards, an Oakland transportation planner said.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 6, 2022

What big cities can learn from the rural US about public transit

Grappling with bare-bones transportation networks, rural communities are implementing new transit innovations, a trend that federal infrastructure dollars could accelerate. 

By Scott James Matheson and Sam Couvillon • April 6, 2022

To ease fuel-price pain, subsidies, gas tax holidays, rebates gain momentum across the US

Chicago and California propose giving prepaid gas cards to eligible residents and assistance to public transit users. State and federal efforts to suspend gas taxes face criticism for potential economic and environmental impacts.

By Dan Zukowski • April 5, 2022

Replacing cumbersome purchasing processes with digital tools can aid in rating and evaluating cooperative contracts

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Cooperativ...

By Michael Keating • April 5, 2022

How to foster a more innovative culture at city hall: report

The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative has a new guide for mayors, city managers and other local leaders to help them understand their organizational culture and assess whether it's inhibiting real change.

By Cailin Crowe • April 4, 2022

Proposed 2023 federal budget increases local government, police spending, decreases deficit

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Of the man...

By Andy Castillo • April 4, 2022

Municipal broadband: Using today’s technology to support your community’s future

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Amidst the...

By Chase Gregory • April 1, 2022

Government trends report highlights the pandemic’s profound impact on public service

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.The pandem...

By Andy Castillo • April 1, 2022

Mayors concerned about racial wealth gap, but no consensus on solutions: survey

The 2021 Menino Survey of Mayors found respondents are divided on the issue by political party and city size. Nearly all of those worried about the gap support solutions in general terms, but fewer favor specific efforts like reparations. 

By Danielle McLean • March 31, 2022

7 in 10 drivers use a mobile device behind the wheel: survey

The findings come as distracted driving incidents have killed a greater share of pedestrians and cyclists in the last decade.

By Dan Zukowski • March 31, 2022