Governance

The smart city conferences to check out in 2019

Next year has a full slate of industry conferences, featuring conversations with top public and private officials on the pressing issues facing cities.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 2018

Congress urged to use public, not private, dollars to invest in infrastructure

Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR, derided the Trump administration's previous infrastructure plan as "ridiculous," and said that the federal government must step up on funding.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 06, 2018

White House proposal to end EV tax credit comes under fire

EVgo CEO Cathy Zoi said at an event in Washington, DC that the $7,500 rebate is "a perfect way to ease Americans ... into electrified transportation."

By Chris Teale • Dec. 06, 2018

San Jose, CA approves land sale for Google development

The tech giant will build an 50-acre transit-oriented development of offices, shops and restaurants, which is expected to bring at least 20,000 employees to the area.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 05, 2018

NYC sets nation's first minimum wage for ride-hailing drivers

Drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft now must be paid at least $17.22 an hour after expenses, under rules approved by the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 05, 2018

A look at Sidewalk Labs' site plans for its Toronto project

Google parent company Alphabet said 40% of Quayside's residential housing will be below market rate in what it says is a "people-first public realm."

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 04, 2018

San Francisco mayor to improve housing programs with excess tax revenue

Mayor London Breed wants a portion of the $181 million general fund windfall to bolster affordable housing and homelessness mitigation programs.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 04, 2018

Calgary, Alberta unveils 4 new smart city initiatives

The city will use sensors to monitor noise pollution, air quality and golf cart usage at its municipal course, and add better disabled access to city buildings.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 04, 2018

Dive Awards

Technology of the Year: FirstNet

The dedicated tech for first responders has helped deal with emergencies like Hurricane Florence, the wildfires in California and mass shootings.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 03, 2018

Dive Awards

City of the Year: Columbus, OH

The city has gathered momentum two years on from winning the U.S. Department of Transportation's Smart City Challenge and stepped up with several new initiatives.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 03, 2018

Dive Awards

City Leader of the Year: Sylvester Turner, Houston

Turner was praised for his leadership during Hurricane Harvey, while in subsequent months he has worked to transform the city and move it forward.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 03, 2018

Dive Awards

The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2018

The awards recognize the top disruptors and innovators in smart cities. These leaders, groups and companies are transforming urban life and shaping the future.

By Smart Cities Dive Team

Denver City Council approves safe injection sites for drug use

This approval follows the release of Denver's Opioid Response Strategic Plan to increase awareness and understanding of the root causes of substance use.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 28, 2018

Orange County, CA officials approve $43B transportation plan

Planned construction includes high-occupancy vehicle lanes, regular lanes, express lanes, interchanges and toll roads, the exploration of highways for autonomous vehicles and more.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 28, 2018

Dallas unveils new initiative to curb child poverty

The Child Poverty Action Lab aims to break the generational cycle of child poverty, and reduce it by 50% in 20 years.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 28, 2018

Atlanta to enhance job opportunities through new Center for Workforce Innovation

An initial $2 million investment from partners will support three career tracks: aircraft technical skills, IT and skilled trades like carpentry and electrical construction.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 28, 2018

Opinion

Lessons learned: How smaller cities can get smart

Every municipality, regardless of its size and means, faces challenges when it comes to serving citizens. It’s critical for local governments to find a way around these barriers.

By Matt Bosch

Q&A

How cutting parking requirements could reduce congestion in cities

Architecture firm Woods Bagot unveiled its MORE LA initiative this month, which explores how surface lots could be reused in new ways and help ease other issues.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 26, 2018

Poll: Texting while driving viewed as widespread problem in cities

Respondents in Denver and Houston expressed the most concern about texting and driving, while NYC and San Francisco topped the list of cities that worry about texting and walking.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 20, 2018

Bloomberg Philanthropies, partners launch $12M economic mobility project

Selected U.S. cities will work with advisors from Bloomberg's What Works Cities to develop data-driven practices that measure barriers to economic progress.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 20, 2018

Emerging signs of US-EU smart city collaboration

The recent Smart City Expo World Congress highlighted there's more that can be done for international partnerships, and significant efforts are underway.

By Jon Glasco

Trump to nominate acting EPA head Wheeler for permanent top spot

Wheeler has directed multiple efforts to roll back environmental regulations, including vehicle efficiency standards and rules on coal plant mercury emissions, carbon pollution and ash disposal. 

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 19, 2018

NYC, Barcelona and Amsterdam partner to protect digital rights

The Cities Coalition for Digital Rights will develop policies and resources to protect citizens in areas including universal and equal internet access and data protection.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 19, 2018