Census Bureau to resume field operations this week

All returning field staff will go through safety training and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) before resuming operations.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated May 5, 2020

Transportation-based Green New Deal seeks extra $37B in federal investment

The Deal would assist transit agencies in facing the dual threats of GHG emissions and COVID-19, which could have a "lasting impact of years" on transit, said Emily Mangan of Transportation for America.

By Chris Teale • March 18, 2020

Bloomberg Philanthropies unveils $40M global initiative for COVID-19 response

This latest program is designed to help low- and middle-income countries around the world grapple with the associated impacts and costs of coronavirus.

By Chris Teale • March 17, 2020

Social media can help city leaders understand COVID-19 concerns

Zencity analyzed over 1.5 million online interactions regarding COVID-19 to find school closures, event cancellations and public transport dominate conversations. 

By Cailin Crowe • March 17, 2020

New York City Council pushes efforts to reach ‘zero waste’

A new agenda calls for the expansion of curbside residential organics collection citywide along with more than a dozen other policies.

By Cole Rosengren • March 16, 2020

Civic group calls on Congress to rethink $305B transport bill

The Metropolitan Civic Leadership Alliance said the FAST Act reauthorization should include more forward-looking transportation policies and innovation.

By Cailin Crowe • March 13, 2020

Controlling the costs of idling equipment

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.It is safe...

By EquipmentWatch Staff • March 13, 2020

Minneapolis: Transit should be a 5-minute walk away

The Transportation Action Plan intends to get more people out of their cars by 2030 with transit expansion, mobility hubs, green infrastructure and more. 

By Cailin Crowe • March 12, 2020

If a project proposal is too good to be true, it probably is

As the saying goes, there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics. When developing a business case for major smart city projects, this sentiment can be difficult to overcome. 

By Jon Madrid Mitchell & Kara Truschel • March 12, 2020

IDC names winners of 2020 Smart Cities North America Awards

The projects were selected by public vote and represent "the best and brightest change agents within government," said IDC executive Ruthbea Yesner.

By Kristin Musulin • March 10, 2020

Road expansion has increased congestion 144%: report

Governments have spent billions widening and expanding highways, resulting in even more traffic, according to a Transportation for America report.

By Chris Teale • March 10, 2020

The 2020 census is here. Is your city ready?

Smart Cities Dive spoke with officials at the center of the count to assess the impacts the 2020 census will have on local-level governance, especially as the novel coronavirus upends outreach efforts.

Updated April 1, 2020

The first majority-online census raises novel concerns

Responses to this year's census will be primarily issued online, though some are worried privacy and the digital divide will depress turnout.

By Chris Teale • March 9, 2020

Lessons from 2010: The importance of census messaging

Congressional representation, data to assist economic growth and federal funding is all on the line this spring as cities gear up for the most important civic engagement effort of the decade.

By Kristin Musulin • March 9, 2020

Fear is a main barrier in counting homeless populations

The census has long yielded an undercount of people experiencing homelessness. This year's count might not be any different.

By Cailin Crowe • March 9, 2020

How census data will impact $1.5 trillion in funds

To receive the appropriate allocation of federal funds, local governments are investing millions in recording an accurate count.

By Chris Teale • March 9, 2020

This census is unlike any before — and we have reason to worry

Kenneth Prewitt, former director of the U.S. Census Bureau from 1998 to 2001, warns of fearmongering, political manipulation and mistrust threatening the validity of the 2020 count.

By Kenneth Prewitt • March 9, 2020

Tracking the impact of coronavirus on US cities

President Biden has urged states to make every adult eligible to receive a vaccination by May 1 and said a return to normalcy could happen by July 4.  

By Nami Sumida • Updated March 12, 2021

NASA partners with 17 companies on Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge

The challenge will test airborne transportation and management systems in various urban simulations to inform future regulations.

By Chris Teale • March 5, 2020

YIMBY Act receives bipartisan support in the House

The U.S. has a shortage of up to 10 million housing units. This federal bill intends to fill that gap by reducing barriers to construction.

By Cailin Crowe • March 4, 2020

Police tech can foster (or foil) public trust

While some police departments work to squash skepticism around tools like facial recognition, others are adopting new tech to gauge public sentiment.

By Amanda Loudin • March 3, 2020

NYC launches mental health, tenant rights challenges

The NYCx Co-Labs challenges are designed to improve the accessibility of mental health services and information regarding housing rights in two predominately Latinx neighborhoods. 

By Cailin Crowe • March 3, 2020

Dallas expands GoPass transit app to Tulsa, OK

Dallas Area Rapid Transit plans to license its mobile platform in another state for the first time, having already completed local deals in Texas.

By Chris Teale • March 3, 2020

RapidSOS enhances ability to pinpoint wireless 911 calls

The company's new tool will give public safety agencies more precise location data to track calls from mobile phones, connected vehicles, buildings and even medical devices. 

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 27, 2020

Virginia legislature clears way for Amazon delivery robots

The legislature approved a bill that would allow electric personal delivery robots of up to 500 pounds to operate on sidewalks and road shoulders.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 27, 2020