Grand jury report on Surfside condo collapse proposes dozens of policy recommendations

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.Around 1:3...

By Andy Castillo • Dec. 21, 2021

To correct ‘unsustainable’ rental market, ‘all of the above’ policy needed: report

As cities weigh strategies like rent control and legal assistance for renters, a new report finds little agreement among tenants and property owners. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 20, 2021

Seattle’s regional transit system adopts plans for more equitable service

The King County Council unanimously approved a series of long-range plans that will expand service for underrepresented communities, a shift from its historic focus on serving commuters and suburban riders.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 16, 2021

Living wage ordinances’ greatest effect may be on public opinion

The living wage movement fought to boost pay for city contractor employees. These efforts had limited community effects, but they likely laid the groundwork for today’s movement toward higher minimum wages, researchers said.

By Adina Solomon • Dec. 13, 2021

Boston’s new chief of streets to steer city beyond car-centric transportation

Former city CIO Jascha Franklin-Hodge will begin the role in January, aiming to support the sustainable transportation ideas that recently elected Mayor Wu campaigned on, including fare-free bus routes. 

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 10, 2021

New York’s mayor-elect faces calls for cleaner streets, modernized waste systems

The city's sidewalks are infamous for mountains of garbage bags. A new "Put Waste to Work" campaign offers a rethink of curbside waste management design and calls for more accessible, higher-tech compost systems.

By Cole Rosengren • Updated Dec. 6, 2021

As infrastructure funds begin to flow, climate, safety, equity impacts are not enough, some say

With most Transportation Department infrastructure funding going to roads and bridges, the money could perpetuate practices that fail to address certain key fronts, critics say.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 2, 2021

Ensuring equitable public safety responses in college towns

In college towns across the United States, students run into many of the same dangers as the general public—traffic accidents, hit and runs, housing disasters and general crime.

By Matthew J. Capaldi • Dec. 1, 2021

‘The crossroads between climate and equity’: Advocates push for transit justice

With the momentum of the just-passed bipartisan infrastructure bill and a growing emphasis on equity, advocates work toward building greater transit justice for underserved communities. 

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 1, 2021

Report: Addressing climate change without driving up affordable housing costs will be a delicate balance

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.Los Angele...

By Andy Castillo • Nov. 30, 2021

Transit leaders debate urban mobility myths ‘busted’ by the pandemic

At the CoMotion LA conference last week, transportation leaders from Miami, Los Angeles and Vancouver reflected on how transit can better serve communities and where universal basic mobility could play a future role. 

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 24, 2021

How local governments can better utilize text messages

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.For many p...

By Tom Sheahan • Nov. 24, 2021

The new normal: How state and local governments can benefit from virtual desktop-as-a-service to support remote workforce

The new normal: How state and local governments can benefit from virtual desktop-as-a-service to support remote workforce

By Rick Rosenburg • Nov. 23, 2021

Local governments rely on taxes for revenue, but is that the best system for a modern society?

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.Over the l...

By Andy Castillo • Nov. 23, 2021

Cost, flexibility prompting many U.S. cities to give BRT a second look

A confluence of spiraling costs, rising environmental concerns and a huge influx of federal dollars is prompting government officials nationwide to give a public transportation option which has been with us since the early 1970s a second look.

By Wes Guckert, PTP • Nov. 23, 2021

Smart cities grapple with equity issues heightened by the pandemic

City leaders aim to help bridge the digital divide while providing better access to education, transportation, jobs and community engagement opportunities. 

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 23, 2021

Making the technical personal: How fiber is changing communities

The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides communities around the nation a once-in-a-generation opportunity to leverage their share of the $42.5 billion allocated for broadband infrastructure.

By Gary Bolton • Nov. 22, 2021

Weighing pandemic aftermath, mayors most worried about resident mental health

Other top concerns include learning loss among young people and financial insecurity of low-income residents, according to the Menino Survey of Mayors. 

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 22, 2021

With trillions poised for investment in infrastructure, comprehensive dig-safe policies are needed

Each year, repairing underground utility lines damaged by unsafe digging practices and waste from inefficiencies costs taxpayers around $61 billion. Six states, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin, along with Washington, D.C., account for more than 20 percent that number ($13 billion)—they all have one thing in common: lax dig-safe policies.

By Andy Castillo • Nov. 17, 2021

The future of smart cities: Leaders forecast more digitally just governance

Over the next five years, smart cities will emphasize digital justice, community trust and data-led decisions, city leaders say. But roadblocks — like funding and a public sector aversion to risk — could stand in the way. 

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 17, 2021

How local government agencies can protect communities from severe weather

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.A record n...

By Todd Miller • Nov. 15, 2021

81% of local government officials have faced harassment, abuse: NLC report

Local officials have been on the receiving end of death threats, vandalized homes and outrage in public meetings, the National League of Cities report finds, with the trend accelerating during the pandemic. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 15, 2021

Trails, greenways and parks infrastructure projects boost economic activity and help residents live healthier lives

Without a doubt, trails, greenways and other parks infrastructure stimulate more construction and economic development. One example of the solid return on investment of trails and similar outdoor recreation assets: The Chuck Huckelberry Loop brings the great outdoors within reach of thousands of Tucson, Ariz. residents.

By Michael Keating • Nov. 15, 2021

Location intelligence can help support urban revitalization

Location intelligence can help support urban revitalization

By Jeff White • Nov. 12, 2021

Genesee County and Plug Power break ground on largest green hydrogen plant in North America

Genesee County and Plug Power break ground on largest green hydrogen plant in North America

By Michelle Havich • Nov. 11, 2021