Cities of Service announces winners of Engaged Cities awards

Bologna, Italy; Santiago de Cali, Colombia; and Tulsa, OK took home prizes of $70,000 each to be used toward engagement efforts.

By Chris Teale • Updated May 21, 2018

Parking guru Donald Shoup has 3 new recommendations for cities

In a new book, the UCLA professor suggests dropping off-street parking requirements, changing metered pricing and spending revenue on public services.

By Chris Teale • April 24, 2018

Survey: Mayors’ top concerns include infrastructure, climate change, opioids

Local leaders who responded to Bloomberg Philanthropies' 2018 American Mayors Survey also reported having to address global and national issues on their own with less federal or state support.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 24, 2018

Prisons, privatization and profit

Constrained correctional budgets have local leaders looking for solutions, but is privatization really the best option?

By Derek Prall • April 23, 2018

Congress introduces $5.5M bill to modernize flood mapping

The bill would require FEMA to carry out a pilot program to "enhance the mapping of urban flooding" and share data with homeowners and businesses.

By Kristin Musulin • April 20, 2018

Report: Future of DC-Baltimore region depends on AV adoption

University of Maryland researchers assessed the impact of autonomous vehicle growth as well as changing land-use and gas prices in the region.

By Chris Teale • April 20, 2018

Group suggests combining 3 NYC commuter rails into a single system

The Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North and New Jersey Transit would be united under a singular body, dubbed the Trans-Regional Express.

By Chris Teale • April 19, 2018

California lawmakers kill contentious housing bill

The polarizing legislation died on Tuesday after lawmakers agreed it was not the most effective measure to address growing costs.

By Kristin Musulin • April 18, 2018

Cities governed by mayors contemplate switching to city manager model of government

Some municipalities with strong-mayor forms of government are discussing switching their governance paradigms to include a city manager that will shoulder some of the responsibilities in handling municipal affairs.

By Jason Axelrod • April 18, 2018

Houston wants to become a top city ‘for startups and imaginative endeavors’

The city recently announced plans for a 9.4-acre innovation district, combining commercial properties, "iconic" public space and leading infrastructure.

By Kristin Musulin • April 17, 2018

Boston shares RFI responses for municipal electricity aggregation program

The program would allow the city to select its energy supply and add more renewable energy beyond what is required by the state.

By Kristin Musulin • April 17, 2018

Detroit CEOs urge fast vote on regional transit plan

In a joint letter, 23 business leaders said a transit proposal should be on the ballot this November, but they stopped short of endorsing a specific iteration.

By Chris Teale • April 17, 2018

Orlando introduces new website for government services

Residents can now report problems and pay parking tickets, among other features, as part of Mayor Buddy Dyer's push to make the city a tech hub.

By Chris Teale • April 16, 2018

San Francisco continues scooter confiscation as regulation brews

City leaders took action on dockless scooters this week through cease-and-desist letters and approval of an ordinance that would require operating permits.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated April 19, 2018

Anchorage becomes first U.S. city to vote down transgender ’bathroom bill’ proposition

On April 3, Alaska’s largest city became the first municipality in the country to vote down a proposition that, would have required people to use public bathrooms and locker rooms that corresponded to their gender at birth.

By Jason Axelrod • April 16, 2018

Los Angeles endorses plan to make city a ‘national transportation leader’

The Natural Resources Defense Council recommended the city pilot congestion pricing and an incentive system for using electric vehicles in ride-sharing.

By Chris Teale • April 13, 2018

Winners of IDC Smart Cities North America Awards announced

The inaugural awards generated nearly 3,000 votes across 14 categories of smart city development.

By Kristin Musulin • April 13, 2018

California state senator amends controversial housing bill

Senator Scott Wiener eased a number of the measures following widespread pushback from California cities, including San Francisco, the city he represents.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 12, 2018

Nashville councilman unveils alternative transit plan as early voting begins

Councilman Robert Swope's proposal focuses on interconnected AVs and double-decker highways, as opposed to light rail and bus rapid transit.

By Chris Teale • April 11, 2018

Atlanta launches ‘Open Checkbook’ portal for expenditure transparency

The portal, which was announced in April, will offer historical trends and projected expenses "regardless of financial acumen" to allow users to analyze the city's spending.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated Sept. 5, 2018

Dallas leaders mull dockless bike-share regulations

Dockless providers and city council members alike oppose a controversial permit fee structure.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 11, 2018

Two lawsuits accuse Cincinnati council members of violating local, state law in holding private meetings

Two recent lawsuits accuse Cincinnati council members of holding illegal, private meetings related to the employment status of Cincinnati's city manager.

By Jason Axelrod • April 10, 2018

Sidewalk Labs to start testing Toronto ‘smart city’ this summer

Construction could begin as early as 2020, the company's CEO told Reuters, with residents able to move in as early as 2022.

By Chris Teale • April 10, 2018

Arizona State University launches smart cities center

The Center for Smart Cities and Regions will join science and technology research with urban governance.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 10, 2018

Q&A: How a Chief Knowledge Officer is boosting innovation in Kansas City, KS

Alan Howze, who has held the position since August 2016, has helped launch an app for residents to pay taxes and report issues, and has participated in the city's plan to lay more fiber.

By Chris Teale • April 10, 2018