Staying on message: The value of dedicated municipal marketing

Some cities have prioritized in-house marketing and branding opportunities to provide consistent messaging and boost crisis response times.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 10, 2018

San Francisco’s emergency sirens fixed after security bug found

The city's Department of Technology announced an upgrade to its 114 sirens, which alert residents to major incidents including storms, terrorism and earthquakes.

By Chris Teale • April 9, 2018

Government leaders hold the keys to unlock citizen engagement

Citizens should be viewed as active partners in a city's innovation process, which can be achieved through encouraged participation, transparency and educational opportunities. 

By Chris Teale • April 9, 2018

Seattle City Council revamps parking rules

The ordinance loosens and eliminates parking requirements for some developments, which could lower housing costs.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 4, 2018

Q&A: National Science Foundation assistant director on ‘smart communities’ research funding

Jim Kurose said the agency has been "ahead of the curve" on technology's use in urban settings for more than a decade.

By Chris Teale • April 4, 2018

State, city leaders oppose EPA fuel efficiency standards rollback

In a statement, the leaders note that all U.S. residents deserve fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles to improve health and save money on gas. 

By Katie Pyzyk • April 4, 2018

London’s blueprint for a digitized city, as drafted by its CDO

The top five top insights from our recent conversation with London's new(ish) Chief Digital Officer, Theo Blackwell.

By Kristin Musulin • April 3, 2018

Top 5 takeaways from Smart Cities Connect 2018

Using failure as a learning moment and building partnerships are among the key lessons from the three-day conference in Kansas City, MO.

By Chris Teale • April 2, 2018

ACLU encourages city-owned public internet to protect net neutrality

Municipal internet that abides by net neutrality principles can protect user privacy and improve access to service.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 2, 2018

NYC announces cybersecurity initiative to protect mobile devices

The NYC Secure program will include a free smartphone protection app for all New Yorkers and increased security on the city's public Wi-Fi networks.

By Kristin Musulin • April 2, 2018

Cities look to short-term rental regulations to fix housing crises

Talk of a housing "crisis" has prompted some cities to place limits on home-sharing companies like Airbnb and Homeaway as they look to stave off low supply and high demand.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 2, 2018

Rescuing the rescuers

Department-managed support programs are helping first responders address mental health concerns.

By Jason Axelrod • March 30, 2018

FirstNet debuts dedicated first responder network core

The launch of the evolved packet core, which will operate "like the brain and nervous system of FirstNet," follows the inaugural FirstNet hackathon.

By Kristin Musulin • March 29, 2018

Kansas City CIO: Cities that don’t embrace smart tech risk becoming ‘digital Rust Belt’

Bob Bennett said urban areas risk being left behind if they do not innovate, and that younger generations will "vote with their feet" and leave if that happens.

By Chris Teale • March 28, 2018

Why P3s can be a project delivery method worth the risk

When executed properly, public-private partnerships can be a win-win for those on both sides of the aisle.

By Mary Tyler March • March 27, 2018

Why building a dynamic smart city requires an equally-dynamic network

The network supporting a city's smart technology must adapt intuitively to shift bandwidth accordingly when and where it’s most critical. 

By Daniele Loffreda • March 26, 2018

Mayors call for local action on guns: ‘We owe it to those who have lost their lives’

In a letter, the mayors cite 43 states which have a form of maximum preemption to prevent cities from passing gun regulations on top of state law.

By Kristin Musulin • March 26, 2018

Study: Politicians do not adequately prioritize street safety

Researchers provided six strategies for enabling road safety improvements, including prioritizing an integrated approach and bundling road safety with more prominent issues.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 26, 2018

White streets in LA combat the ‘heat island’ effect

In an effort to cool the city, Los Angeles is experimenting with painting some of its streets white.

By Derek Prall • March 26, 2018

FCC relaxes federal review rules to allow quicker 5G deployment

The majority of small cells to support the network will now not require review under the National Historic Preservation and National Environmental Policy Acts.

By Chris Teale • March 23, 2018

Lawmakers call for more P3s, workforce development to grow smart cities

US Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-NV, and Reps. Darrell Issa, R-CA, and Yvette Clarke, D-NY, said education is key, as well as collaboration with the private sector.

By Chris Teale • March 23, 2018

NYC extends behavioral design program through 2019

The city's Behavioral Design Team received funding to continue using behavioral science to solve city problems.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 22, 2018

Georgia investigating former Atlanta mayor’s press office for potential violations of state open records act

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting a probe into potential violations of the Georgia Open Records Act on the part of the Atlanta government.

By Jason Axelrod • March 21, 2018

Tampa, University of South Florida to partner on ‘creative’ transportation solutions

Mayor Bob Buckhorn said the lack of city transit options are "the Achilles heel for our community," though development shouldn't be "just more road-building."

By Chris Teale • March 21, 2018

Coronado, CA to begin impounding dockless bikes, fining companies

The bikes have been declared a "public nuisance" in Coronado, even though the dockless services are not permitted to operate in the city.

By Kristin Musulin • March 21, 2018