Google parent Alphabet moves into infrastructure investing

Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners will launch alongside the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan to scale "technology-enabled" urban development.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 4, 2019

Pension tension

When altering pension plans to relieve financial pressure, cities must balance realistic funding with satisfying employees.

By Jason Axelrod • Sept. 3, 2019

Local governments will use Facebook to send emergency alerts

The platform began testing alerts last year to help government agencies spread information about crises like flash floods, shootings and bomb threats.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 30, 2019

St. Louis, DHS team up for smart city pilot

The pilot program will help the city improve its emergency response to extreme weather with flood, video and route management sensors. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 30, 2019

Shelby County Commission passes $15/hour minimum wage for government workers

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.Some employees...

By Jason Axelrod • Aug. 28, 2019

Phoenix voters substantially back light rail expansion

Residents voted against a plan that would block extensions of the Valley Metro system to instead invest in automobile infrastructure.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 28, 2019

Austin, TX to increase green job access for people of color

The initiative will disperse grants between $10,000 and $50,000 each for equitable workforce development and green job opportunities.

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 28, 2019

Letter calls on Congress to try again on federal AV legislation

The lack of federal AV legislation has led to concerns about a patchwork of state laws, so the onus is on Congress to get something done. 

By Chris Teale • Aug. 27, 2019

Chicago government imposes hiring freeze to offset major budget deficit

The country’s third-largest city has imposed a hiring freeze as it faces a major shortfall in its budget.

By Jason Axelrod • Aug. 26, 2019

‘We’re really early in the game’: Regulating and harnessing blockchain’s future

NYC Blockchain Center Executive Director Kimberly Quinones discussed the importance of a "two-way dialogue" between regulators and entrepreneurs. 

By Chris Teale • Aug. 26, 2019

Chicago buildings saved $74M from energy benchmarking: report

The city released its 2019 Energy Benchmarking report, finding participating buildings reduced emissions 15%, equal to removing 200,000 cars annually.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated April 8, 2021

RMI calls for national mandates on EV purchases, AV testing

The Rocky Mountain Institute warned the U.S. could fall further behind on new mobility options without stronger central leadership.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 23, 2019

What cities can learn from Stockholm’s congestion pricing plan

Sweden's capital is one of few cities in the world to implement the strategy, winning public opinion by showing quick results. 

By Chris Teale • Aug. 22, 2019

Can a city solve homelessness with an app?

As cities deploy community-facing apps to alleviate homelessness, questions linger around who the tech is intended to benefit.

By Kira Barrett • Aug. 21, 2019

Spokane officials call for Washington rep’s resignation following claims of surveillance

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.Local lead...

By Jason Axelrod • Aug. 20, 2019

Postmates to deploy autonomous delivery robots in San Francisco

After the vehicles were banned in 2017, Postmates worked with San Francisco on regulations that would allow the vehicles to re-enter city streets. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 19, 2019

Can incentives pull talent away from dominant metro areas?

As U.S. workers increasingly gravitate toward a select few cities, other localities hope extra perks can give them an edge.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 16, 2019

NLC calls on cities to consider congestion pricing

A new guide suggests that cities of all sizes should be proactive and consider congestion pricing as a way to ease traffic and improve quality of life.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 15, 2019

FAA grants approval for drone food delivery pilot in North Carolina

The drones will travel along a single fixed route from a distribution center to an outdoor recreational area over mostly unpopulated areas. 

By Emma Cosgrove • Aug. 15, 2019

Tennessee county bans public live-streaming of commission meetings

Tennessee county bans public live-streaming of commission meetings

By Jason Axelrod • Aug. 14, 2019

Decreasing federal investment in public transit is threatening mobility options

Public transportation is a key part of our nation's infrastructure, but without increased and committed investment, it risks falling into disrepair.

By Paul Skoutelas and Jim Tymon • Aug. 14, 2019

New Orleans passes restrictions on short-term housing rentals

Short-term rentals through Airbnb, Homeaway and other companies will be banned in two of the city's most popular tourist zones and restricted elsewhere. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 13, 2019

Minneapolis City Council bans new drive-thru operations in city

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.Future fast fo...

By Jason Axelrod • Aug. 12, 2019

‘Free roads are not really free’: Can cities make congestion pricing equitable?

Some suggest toll exemptions, others support rebate-based systems. But questions remain about who should be charged and how much they should pay.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 12, 2019

Appeals court ruling undercuts FCC’s plan for speedy 5G rollout

A three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals’ D.C. Circuit said it cannot bypass historical and environmental reviews of small cell sites.

By Chris Teale • Aug. 12, 2019