Climate change had its presidential debate moment. What did we learn?

President Donald Trump said humans contribute to changing climate "to an extent," and that "forest management" is a key to addressing California wildfires. Joe Biden vowed no more coal or oil-fired plants built.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2020

Now is the time to remaster your master plan

Now is the time to remaster your master plan

By Matt Gullo • Sept. 30, 2020

Bay Area mayors push back on remote work strategy

San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said they “cannot support” the proposal amid concerns about the vitality of downtown economies.

By Chris Teale • Updated Oct. 16, 2020

NYC makes outdoor dining, open streets permanent

The city's Open Restaurants program has 10,000 participating eateries and has saved about 100,000 jobs, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 28, 2020

LA Metro’s $400B long-range plan pledges more transit, less congestion

The 30-year blueprint aims to achieve an 81% increase in daily transit trips and a 19% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions via new rail, freeway, bike and pedestrian projects.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 28, 2020

McAllen, TX’s communitywide Wi-Fi to bridge digital divide

The border city of 140,000 people has been pummeled by the coronavirus and inequality, and with students back to distance learning, the new network can help get every resident online.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 25, 2020

Airbnb data portal to aid city tourism economies amid COVID-19

City Portal will give governments and tourism organizations more insight on local Airbnb listings, potentially boosting tourism spend and tax revenue.

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 24, 2020

California mandates all new passenger vehicle sales be zero-emission by 2035

The goal could reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions over 35% from cars statewide, fast tracking California's climate goals as the state grapples with a series of destructive wildfires. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 24, 2020

Governments must demand better election technology

The 2020 election will likely be the most contentious in a generation. We need to ensure we are using modern tools that provide the voting security needed in the 21st century.

By Matt Dunne • Sept. 22, 2020

House passes massive clean energy bill amid Trump veto threat

The House passed its Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act on Thursday, though the White House earlier this week indicated the president was likely to veto the bill, despite support in the Senate.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Sept. 25, 2020

12 major cities pledge fossil fuel divestment

The C40 Cities-backed declaration "sends a huge signal to the marketplace" that governments are prioritizing a green COVID-19 recovery, said NYC climate advisor Dan Zarrilli.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 22, 2020

Flying cars are on the ‘horizon of a reimagined tomorrow’ in LA

The World Economic Forum and City of Los Angeles unveiled seven key principles to pave the way for safe, equitable and sustainable urban air mobility.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 18, 2020

NYC, DC lead 10 US cities in global smart city rankings

The Institute for Management Development said the world's smartest cities have embraced technology, allowing them to fare better in managing the coronavirus pandemic and related recovery efforts.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 17, 2020

How to participate in the 2020 Smart Cities Dive Awards

Industry Dive is gearing up for the 2020 Dive Awards. We want to hear your ideas on the cities, leaders and technology that stood out.

By Smart Cities Dive Team • Sept. 17, 2020

Equity sits at the center of Chicago’s new transit development plan

The policy plan is designed to advance racial equity, public health and climate resilience via pedestrian-friendly development near transit hubs, particularly in underinvested neighborhoods. 

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 16, 2020

Mayors to prioritize infrastructure, tech investments in COVID recovery: survey

The study by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Siemens USA found that with budgets taking a major hit from the pandemic, mayors see these investments as key ways to generate jobs.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 16, 2020

How to forge ahead when city leadership falls victim to COVID-19

The vulnerability of even the most authoritative leaders suggests cities must devise plans to keep governments running when officials need to step back.

By Adina Solomon • Sept. 16, 2020

Rethinking the humble curb

Competition for curb space is increasing. As more people, more services and more companies compete for curbside access, there needs to be constant thought about how this valuable space is allocated and managed.

By Wes Guckert, PTP • Sept. 16, 2020

An urbanist’s guide to creating effective mobility pilots

Harvard Kennedy School visiting fellow David Zipper outlined the dos and don'ts of piloting mobility tech to aid governments in navigating uncertainty.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 15, 2020

Consolidation and leverage: how to maximize your agency’s spend

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 Tammy Rimes, MPA • Sept. 15, 2020

‘Aggressive’ federal aid would push US to net zero emissions by 2050: report

America's Pledge released its fourth-annual U.S. climate analysis, finding to its "great surprise" that the pandemic is not slowing climate progress.

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 14, 2020

Transit agencies vow to pursue industrywide COVID response strategy

Over 100 public transit agencies have signed the APTA Health and Safety Commitments Program, aiming to streamline the industry's recovery.  

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 10, 2020

CDC taps Philadelphia to pilot COVID vaccines

The City of Philadelphia and four states were selected to pilot a vaccine program as early as Nov. 1, but the jurisdictions still face many unknowns.

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 9, 2020

Wildfires, COVID deliver one-two punch to West Coast cities

More than 1.6 million acres have burned in California this year alone while cities scramble to protect resident health amid the challenges of COVID-19. 

By Catherine Arnold • Updated Sept. 9, 2020

Texas mayors: Climate issues will shape November elections

The mayors of Austin, Houston and San Antonio emphasized the importance of a climate-focused COVID-19 recovery, much of which will be determined by voters this fall.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 3, 2020