Governance

Philadelphia joins cities tackling bike lane parking violations

Following a decrease in the enforcement of bike lane parking regulations during the pandemic, the Philadelphia Parking Authority is rolling out an initiative dedicated to cracking down on rule-breakers.

By Cailin Crowe • May 25, 2022

Urban parks vie for Interior Department construction, renovation funds

About $61 million in federal grant funding could provide an economic life raft for 27 urban parks in 26 underserved communities.

By Austyn Gaffney • May 25, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Vehicle Electrification

Cities and states are trying to harness the growing electric vehicle market to meet decarbonization goals while ensuring the rollout of these vehicles is being done equitably. Their efforts are aided by an influx of federal support.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Blame local zoning, not Wall Street, for this housing crisis

Local zoning laws and NIMBYism are preventing the growth of affordable housing and greater housing density and contributing to labor shortages in urban areas. 

By Atticus LeBlanc • May 24, 2022

Infrastructure coordinators help cities pursue funding, evaluate projects

In the spirit of cities wanting to “dig once” when it comes to infrastructure improvements, local governments are tapping coordinators to oversee projects as they access millions in federal funds.

By Karen Kroll • May 23, 2022

Mobility leaders dream of a less car-centric future

At the National Shared Mobility Summit, leaders envisioned a more accessible and racially equitable shared mobility landscape, highlighting the role of compensated community engagement to help achieve that vision.

By Cailin Crowe • May 23, 2022

A new Maryland-based nonprofit aims to create a hub supporting women of color entrepreneurs

Backed with funding from the county government, The 3rd’s founder says the model could help lift women of color-owned businesses in other cities as well.

By Amanda Loudin • May 18, 2022

Violence against mayors is becoming increasingly common: survey

Women mayors of color report the highest rates of harassment and threats, according to an Oklahoma State University study. The trend could deter some women from seeking reelection or running for public office.

By Cailin Crowe • May 17, 2022

Chicago launches digital equity council to address racial barriers to internet access

The city's new council comes as President Biden announced a discounted internet service earlier this week that could potentially provide free internet for millions of U.S. households. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 12, 2022

NIST working group to tackle smart cities' ethical quandaries

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Global City Teams Challenge launched a working group on diversity, equity, integrity and technology, researching best practices in areas like community engagement. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 10, 2022

Transit agencies struggle to access funding, rights-of-way, due to complex governance structures

During a recent Eno Center for Transportation webinar, agency leaders from Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Vancouver, British Columbia, shared the challenges that current governance systems can create. 

By Dan Zukowski • May 9, 2022

As scooter activity rebounds, San Diego cracks down with new restrictions

With the return of riders and tourists following the pandemic's dramatic dip, the city proposes quadrupling operator fees and tightening regulations in response to dangerous sidewalk use. 

By Dan Zukowski • May 6, 2022

Tenants facing eviction fared better under NYC's legal assistance program: study

Since New York became the first U.S. city to guarantee universal legal representation to low-income tenants in housing court, Princeton researchers say eviction warrants and monetary judgments against them are down.

By Danielle McLean • May 5, 2022

Fleeing 'superstar' cities, tech workers are moving to mid-size and smaller cities, causing housing, traffic concerns

After many tech workers relocated to work remotely during the pandemic, smaller cities are now grappling with rising housing prices, traffic and homelessness.

By Karen Kroll • May 3, 2022

Los Angeles launches $17.8M universal basic mobility pilot

“We have to change the conversation about transportation investments and how they benefit cities if we hope to shake ourselves awake from zombie conversation about how much it all costs,” said one LADOT official.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 29, 2022

Lessons from California: Tips to keep transit projects on time, on budget

Local agencies tend to poorly plan infrastructure work and don’t have enough capacity to manage megaprojects, and common procurement methods create a management bottleneck, a new study from UC Berkeley found. 

By Julie Strupp • April 28, 2022

Converting strip malls into mixed-use development could address California's housing crisis

The transformation could alleviate the housing shortage while aiding storefronts amid the shift to online shopping. But it would require cities to change land-use policies, said housing experts during an Urban Land Institute meeting.

By Danielle McLean • April 27, 2022

Leading Cities, QBE invite startups to apply to AcceliCITY resilience competition

The resilience challenge – accepting applications through April – also awards regional prizes and virtual incubator memberships. Another part of the competition seeks an urban food pilot for Gainesville, Florida.

By Cailin Crowe • April 27, 2022

US transportation sector could cut carbon emissions 34% by 2030: analysis

"We've actually made a lot of progress," said one researcher. Separately, the Biden administration announced $6.4 billion for states to use under the infrastructure law's carbon reduction program.

By Dan Zukowski • April 22, 2022

San Diego housing density bonus is spurring affordable units: report

Amid a crucial housing shortage in Southern California, developers have leveraged a city incentive program to build thousands of units since 2016.

By Danielle McLean • April 21, 2022

Participatory budgeting experiments aim to meet residents where they are

“The process is one of the products,” said Doug Matthews, assistant city manager in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is leaving $2 million up to citizen-driven spending. “This is full-contact civic education and engagement.”

By Karen Kroll • April 20, 2022

Harassment and intimidation are driving local leaders away from public service, and we all stand to lose

“I genuinely worry about how our nation’s cities, towns and villages will attract and retain the talent we need,” writes the head of the National League of Cities.

By Clarence E. Anthony • April 19, 2022

Proposed California EV regs could be adopted by other states

In a bid to ramp up zero-emission vehicle sales, the policy move could ultimately enable regulators "to set the national standards that we need to meet our climate goals," said one transportation and clean air policy expert.

By Dan Zukowski • April 18, 2022

New York City civic engagement survey gathers over 62,000 community voices

The effort aimed to collect a diverse and representative sample of the city’s population for the start of a three-part effort to build consensus around city priorities.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 14, 2022

Bird pilot aims to give NYC wheelchair users reliable and fast transport options

Under New York’s e-scooter pilot program, Bird is providing a first-of-its-kind motorized attachment free to individuals who use wheelchairs.

By Austyn Gaffney • April 13, 2022

California regulators to update vehicle emission requirements as state seeks to spur EV transition

The California Air Resources Board will update regulations for vehicles emissions and zero-emission vehicle requirements, as advocates want automakers mandated to make electric vehicles available to frontline communities. 

By Dan Zukowski • April 13, 2022