Hope renewed for Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail

A new Illinois commission could accelerate development of high-speed rail in the state, as U.S. passenger rail is poised to receive a $66 billion injection from the bipartisan infrastructure deal.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 12, 2021

NYC Meatpacking District to adopt open streets permanently

As U.S. cities have struggled to maintain the open streets programs they implemented during the pandemic, the Manhattan neighborhood has embraced the concept with plans to close six blocks to vehicle traffic.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 11, 2021

‘An enormous lift’: Biden’s goal of 50% EV sales by 2030 will test supply chains, utilities, experts say

Biden's lofty goal will run in tandem to investments in EV infrastructure. But other supports, like to manufacturing supply chains, are needed as well.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 11, 2021

Bring renewed purpose and civic pride to traditional municipal centers

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.Vibrant ci...

By Andrew Moore • Aug. 11, 2021

Converting commercial real estate into residential units could benefit cities and counties

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.Even befor...

By Andy Castillo • Aug. 10, 2021

Postmates strikes nearly $1M deal with Seattle over gig worker claims

The city claims the company violated an ordinance requiring it provide its gig workers with paid sick and safe time. 

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 10, 2021

Application modernization is key to improving customer experience

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 Phil Fuster • Aug. 9, 2021

Supreme Court ends CDC’s eviction moratorium

The decision comes as new data shows that states and localities have distributed just 11% of the federal rent relief dollars, intended to prevent eviction for millions of U.S. residents.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated Aug. 27, 2021

Massachusetts Supreme Court blocks Uber, Lyft-backed gig worker ballot measure

The effort, backed by major gig economy leaders, would have classified workers as independent contractors rather than employees.

By Chris Teale • Updated June 21, 2022

It’s ‘unsexy’ but effective when micromobility companies partner with cities, one CEO says

Drop Mobility CEO Qiming Weng discusses the company's approach to creating a sustainable transportation fleet for cities.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 5, 2021

Report: More than a third of US bridges are structurally deficient. It could take decades to fix them.

As the Senate advances a bipartisan infrastructure bill, bridges in urban areas continue to deteriorate. Here are three that exemplify the urgency.

By Zachary Phillips • Aug. 3, 2021

10 ways the PRO Act could change the game for employers and organized labor

Currently being considered in the Senate, the bill would strengthen the ability of unions, including those of public sector workers, to form and collectively bargain.

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 2, 2021

California’s first AV public passenger service could provide key industry and market data

General Motors-owned Cruise will operate the first-ever driverless car service in the state. Others in the space said they hope to learn a lot — including how the public reacts — from its efforts.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 2, 2021

Partnerships, sustained federal help key to ending ‘digital redlining,’ city leaders say

COVID-19 exacerbated inequitable access to high-speed internet, but long-term federal funding and partnering with telecommunications companies could help, speakers said at a Route Fifty virtual event last week.

By Chris Teale • July 30, 2021

Senate votes to advance bill with $550B for aging US infrastructure

Far smaller than Biden's American Jobs Plan, the bipartisan bill will next enter a phase of debates and amendments.

By Zachary Phillips • Updated July 29, 2021

Despite limited participation, advocates see potential for Northeast transportation cap-and-invest plan

Only four of the over a dozen original participants of the Transportation and Climate Initiative signed on to a final program to cut transportation emissions. Backers say there's still a bright future.

By Jason Plautz • July 29, 2021

City governing: A guide to approaching economic growth like a business

City governing: A guide to approaching economic growth like a business

By Elizabeth Huff • July 28, 2021

Repurposing closed landfills to alleviate constrained budgets and meet sustainability goals

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.Among the ...

By Nichole Coulter • July 28, 2021

Decorum and civility in the public sector

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.In a two-p...

By Shelline Bennett • July 27, 2021

‘We have got to do something’: Cities behind on climate goals as extreme weather worsens

Funding, staffing shortfalls and a lack of buy-in from city workers are impeding progress, a Bloomberg Associates report states.

By Danielle McLean • July 27, 2021

Queens is on a quest to become a ‘smart borough’

A recently elected borough president aims to transform Queens. But one expert cautions the need for a "thoughtful, intentional and iterative" strategy, as smart city planning is "not for the faint of heart." 

By Katie Pyzyk • July 26, 2021

Optimizing the citizen experience with interactive portals and one-door entry policies

IT leaders are rethinking citizen communications as the pandemic has led constituents to use hundreds of services online.

By Joseph Flynn • July 23, 2021

Resilience roles go mainstream, as cities seek more climate adaptation resources

"Chief resilience officer" was a novel title a decade ago but is now a fixture in many major local governments looking to coordinate preparedness and response in the face of increasingly common, and costly, extreme weather.

By Maria Rachal • Updated Aug. 10, 2021

Can this new technology make planting trees an affordable way for cities to clean-up contaminated sites?

Cleaning up contaminated sites can get messy for municipalities.

By Kristen Bousquet • July 21, 2021

Cybersecurity questions every local government should ask its vendors

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.Recently, ...

By Mike Duffy • July 20, 2021