Sen. Warren reintroduces affordable housing legislation

The American Housing and Economic Mobility Act aims to increase housing capacity, lower prices and address discriminatory housing practices.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 15, 2019

County of San Mateo, CA innovation center to run on UrbanLeap platform

SMC Labs will use UrbanLeap's custom platform to evaluate, collect and share new technologies and pilot programs.

By Jason Plautz • March 14, 2019

Microsoft expands government tech offerings

The company now offers its Teams, Power Platform and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement programs to public sector customers.

By Chris Teale • March 14, 2019

A new source of planning data: online reviews

City planners can draw new data on quality of life in neighborhoods from online review sites, according to a new study from the University of Buffalo.

By Jason Plautz • March 13, 2019

USDOT launches council to support emerging transportation tech

The council, which Secretary Elaine Chao announced during SXSW, will "better coordinate the review of innovation" around projects, including hyperloop and AVs.

By Kristin Musulin • March 13, 2019

Streets for All Coalition unveiled to advocate for safe, clean mobility

Bird, Spin and the Climate Action Campaign are among the founding members of the group, which will advocate for safety, equitable access and reduced car dependence.

By Kristin Musulin • March 12, 2019

What is the role for cities in replacing the gas tax?

A report from the National League of Cities suggests partnering with state and regional governments on alternatives to pay for infrastructure fixes.

By Jason Plautz • March 12, 2019

Can a city go paperless? With blockchain’s help, Dubai hopes so

The city is already 57% of the way toward its goal of going paperless, with plans to issue its final paper transaction in 2021.

By Chris Teale • March 12, 2019

San Jose, CA mayor: For citizens to trust cities, they must first trust each other

At SXSW, Mayor Sam Liccardo joined Cities of Service's Myung Lee and Detroit's Arthur Jemison to discuss leveraging citizen engagement for problem solving.

By Kristin Musulin • March 11, 2019

Bill would reinstate national tax benefit for bike commuters

The "Bicycle Commuter Act" would change the benefit’s structure to make it pre-tax and would clarify that bike-share options are eligible for the benefit.

By Chris Teale • March 7, 2019

2 measures to regulate car-sharing advance in Utah

The measures are the latest government efforts to get a handle on the expanding sharing economy by implementing regulations.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 6, 2019

Austin, TX City Council approves strategic mobility plan

An overarching goal is to reduce single-occupancy vehicle use and to halve the number of commuters who drive alone to work by 2039.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated April 15, 2019

San Diego, Marine Corps to partner on smart cities tech

The partnership will look at the application of smart technologies in areas including protection and security, mobility and public works, according to the MOU.

By Jason Plautz • March 5, 2019

NYC business leaders call for Amazon to reconsider HQ2 pull-out

A group of business, elected and civic officials published an open letter urging the company to come back after its surprise withdrawal last month.

By Chris Teale • March 5, 2019

Municipal broadband internet: The next public utility?

Initiatives seem to be gaining steam as U.S. cities look to encourage equitable access — but pitfalls around cost and taxpayer risk remain.

By Chris Teale • March 5, 2019

Report: Seattle home internet access increasing, but disparities remain

The 2018 Technology Access and Adoption Study found 95% of the city's households have internet access, but 21% of those living in poverty do not.

By Chris Teale • March 1, 2019

Pneumatic waste collection tubes get wave of political support in New York

A long-discussed concept to get trucks and bags off the streets around the 1.5-mile High Line Park corridor is taking shape. Now, the team behind it wants key backing from Mayor Bill de Blasio.

By Cole Rosengren • March 1, 2019

Tampa Bay, FL businesses form transportation nonprofit

The Tampa Bay Mobility Alliance has representatives from the region's three counties, who will look to collaborate on transportation solutions.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 28, 2019

Los Angeles Metro to vote on ride-hailing tax, congestion pricing

The funds would go toward transportation projects that the agency wants to complete before the city hosts the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 28, 2019

Are city climate goals too ambitious? Leaders worry about compressed timelines

During a WRI-hosted media briefing, some city sustainability leaders expressed concern that it may be too late to deal with the worst effects of climate change.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 28, 2019

Survey shows majority support for Sidewalk Toronto project

The poll released by the Toronto Region Board of Trade found that 55% of residents favor the plan, compared to 11% who oppose it and 34% who are indifferent.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 27, 2019

New York governor, mayor unveil plan to ‘transform’ MTA

The much-maligned transit authority will be reorganized and fare increases will be limited, while Manhattan will get congestion pricing in December 2020.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 27, 2019

New Jersey cities may raise parking taxes under new bill

The 3.5% tax, which would only apply to cities with populations over 100,000, would fund capital improvements for pedestrian access to public transit stations.

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 27, 2019

Tackling the opioid epidemic with connectivity and cannabis

Silver bullets are in short supply for the opioid crisis. It’s time to propose radical ways to tackle the entrenched epidemic.

By Ying Tam • Feb. 26, 2019

NYC subpoenas Airbnb for data on 20K listings

In an interview with NY1, Mayor Bill de Blasio called on Airbnb to "be transparent and we can start to make progress."

By Katie Pyzyk • Feb. 25, 2019