Governance
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Courtesy of Virgin Hyperloop
Amid hyperloop, maglev hype, calls intensify to better fund Amtrak
Supporters of emerging rail technologies called for federal funding at a congressional hearing last week, but existing service providers argued they should get top budgeting priority.
By Chris Teale • May 11, 2021 -
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno via Getty Images
High-speed rail gets moment in congressional spotlight
At a congressional hearing Thursday, supporters of high-speed rail said it could cut congestion and connect communities, but troubled projects in California and Texas remain front of mind for cost-wary opponents.
By Chris Teale • May 07, 2021 -
Trendline
The Smart Cities Dive Outlook on 2021
As government leaders continue to reflect on the challenges of 2020, the team at Smart Cities Dive has outlined key trends and technologies likely to take hold in the year ahead.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
'We are simply not ready' for EV charging at scale, House Republicans say, warning of China dependence
During a hearing Wednesday on major clean-transportation legislation — part of the Biden administration's $174 billion proposal to bolster electric vehicles — Republicans said the plan strips away consumer choice.
By Robert Walton • May 07, 2021 -
Courtesy of Revel
Revel plans all-electric NYC ride-hail service, regulators say it's unlicensed
The company aims to launch a fleet of 50 Teslas, but the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission says the effort skirts rules intended to prevent market saturation.
By Chris Teale • May 04, 2021 -
Courtesy of Lime
Lime taps user base for Complete Streets advocacy
The "People-First Cities" campaign encourages users to advocate for safe local infrastructure. The company said it hopes its presence in red states will push Republican lawmakers to support Biden's infrastructure package.
By Cailin Crowe • April 30, 2021 -
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
New York lawmakers pass bill requiring all new vehicle sales be zero-emissions by 2035
The measure now awaits Gov. Andrew Cuomo's signature. His office says a decision has not been made yet, but the state is committed to electrifying its transportation sector.
By Robert Walton • April 30, 2021 -
Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
NLC calls for engagement, proper training for facial recognition tech
The report urges cities to limit the scope of the technology and have rigorous data standards to protect privacy, but opponents say that's not enough.
By Chris Teale • April 29, 2021 -
Screenshot via Greentown Labs Houston
Cleantech incubator part of Houston's goal to be 'energy transition capital'
One year after the city unveiled its Climate Action Plan, the incubator said it has 30 startups ready to move into its 40,000-square-foot Greentown Labs space.
By Chris Teale • April 23, 2021 -
Garcetti, Eric. (2021). "State of the City 2021" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
3 key investments in LA Mayor Garcetti's proposed 'justice budget'
As the city recovers from the financial blows of the pandemic, the FY22 budget calls for record funding to address homelessness, a guaranteed basic income pilot and the exploration of a reparations commission.
By Cailin Crowe • April 22, 2021 -
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
New York to revive curbside composting as city lags on zero waste goal
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Earth Day the city is reviving multiple programs cut during the pandemic. But the city is not yet taking the steps many elected officials and advocates believe are necessary to achieve a key 2030 target.
By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2021 -
Permission granted by E.A. Crunden
Transportation groups call for national VMT program
In a letter to House and Senate committee leaders, the coalition said a vehicle miles traveled program would be the best alternative to gas taxes, but others are reluctant due to potential impacts on rural drivers.
By Chris Teale • April 16, 2021 -
Courtesy of Lime
New York City announces winners of e-scooter pilot
The city's Department of Transportation awarded Veo, Lime and Bird coveted permits for a pilot program in a section of the East Bronx.
By Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • April 14, 2021 -
Screenshot via Smart Cities Connect
Virginia launches statewide IoT cybersecurity contest
As some state and local governments look to actively bolster their IoT networks, Gov. Ralph Northam announced the competition to leverage in-state students and faculty at the Smart Cities Connect virtual conference Tuesday.
By Chris Teale • April 14, 2021 -
'Failing' US infrastructure needs new purpose beyond shovel-ready efforts: report
The Brookings Institution said federal investment should prioritize outcomes like equity over financing specific projects, supporting an overall mindset shift about the role of infrastructure.
By Chris Teale • April 13, 2021 -
Florin, Fabrice. (2016). "Oakland Visit" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
California launches its first-ever statewide homelessness data repository
By consolidating data, the system aims to help inform policy decisions following a 7% increase in the state's homeless population last year.
By Cailin Crowe • April 12, 2021 -
jimmyweee. (2016). "Baltimore" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Baltimore resilience corps could be model for cities
Local leaders, the Rockefeller Foundation and other partners shared learning lessons from the corps' first six months, including how to leverage the program post-pandemic.
By Cailin Crowe • April 09, 2021 -
It's time to 'redefine what infrastructure is,' says USCM president
Louisville, KY Mayor Greg Fischer said in a webinar that President Biden's American Jobs Plan will ready the U.S. for the future and "unleash" innovation.
By Chris Teale • April 08, 2021 -
U.S. Conference of Mayors virtual meeting: https://usmayors.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_shTXlYtwTV6xB9f4TmNalw
US mayors gather to address surge of anti-Asian violence in cities
With such hate crimes increasing 150% across 16 major cities in 2020, federal and local leaders discussed possible solutions at a recent U.S. Conference of Mayors panel.
By Cailin Crowe • April 07, 2021 -
Permission granted by First Solar
Local governments set record for new renewable energy procurement in 2020, groups report
Transactions last year grew renewable capacity 23% from 2019's totals, according to World Resources Institute and Rocky Mountain Institute data.
By Chris Teale • April 05, 2021 -
Retrieved from Twitter.
How the American Jobs Plan aims to shape 4 pillars of city infrastructure
The administration's package looks to inject billions of dollars into the country's digital infrastructure, water, transportation and housing needs, with emphasis on racial equity and climate resilience.
By Smart Cities Dive Team • April 01, 2021 -
Ryan McKnight
Singapore tops global smart city rankings again, NYC leads US
Meanwhile, Columbus, OH reached No. 11 in the Eden Strategy Institute's latest standings due to coordinated efforts with Smart Columbus.
By Chris Teale • April 01, 2021 -
Retrieved from U.S. Department of Agriculture.
LA, Philadelphia and DC compost leaders look to better leverage city park sites
As municipally supported composting grows in some parts of the country, panelists at a U.S. Composting Council event discussed solutions to common roadblocks in using parklands for such programs.
By Maria Rachal • March 31, 2021 -
Few mayors expect to keep COVID-inspired changes to public spaces, survey finds
The Menino Survey of Mayors found that although leaders predict residents will spend more time outside, only 6% of mayors plan to keep recent changes to those spaces like closed roads and new bike lanes.
By Chris Teale • March 31, 2021 -
Adeline Kon/Smart Cities Dive
Deep DiveSatellite internet: digital divide solution or 'science experiment'?
SpaceX and Amazon have said the technology can help rural America get online, but opponents say it's unproven and not worthy of federal investment.
By Chris Teale • March 30, 2021 -
Daimler
Auto leaders urge adoption of 'common language' for AV safety
The Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium — which counts Ford, Daimler and Lyft among its members — outlined performance metrics for developers to inspire public confidence in self-driving cars.
By Chris Teale • March 29, 2021
