Governance: Page 2

Congress passes COVID stimulus without state, local aid

President Trump is expected to sign the $900 billion legislation, which includes $14 billion for transit, after it passed both chambers late Monday.

By Chris Teale • UPDATED: Dec. 22, 2020 at 10:09 a.m.

Traffic fatalities dropped slightly in 2019: NHTSA

The administration said there were 36,096 motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, down 2% from 2018 — but safety advocates said that drop is not enough.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 21, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Citizen Engagement

In a time when connection is more important than ever, cities are tapping innovative tools and strategies to engage their citizens and keep communities healthy.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

New Orleans leaders share lessons from 2019 cyberattack

CIO Kimberly LaGrue said early and intensive preparations were key to preventing disaster and recovering without paying a ransom to the hackers.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 18, 2020

LA strives to lead nation in urban air mobility

The Urban Air Mobility Partnership is a one-year, public-private partnership to educate and engage residents on aerial tech before its 2023 introduction.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 17, 2020

94 US cities achieve perfect LGBTQ inclusion score: report

The Human Rights Campaign's ninth-annual Municipal Equality Index found more cities have become LGBTQ-inclusive despite the year's significant challenges.  

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 17, 2020

Industry leaders praise Buttigieg pick as transportation head

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to announce the former South Bend, IN mayor as transportation secretary on Wednesday, prompting praise from several industry leaders.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 16, 2020

Behind a former county exec's 'indispensable' training bootcamp

There's no playbook for serving as a county executive. The Elected Executive Leadership Program, led by former county exec Rushern Baker, hopes to change that. 

By Amanda Loudin • Dec. 16, 2020

Chicago dashboard tracks local trust in police

The Chicago Police Department partnered with data research company Elucd to gain a hyperlocal pulse on how residents feel about their safety and trust for the police. 

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 15, 2020

11 experts predict what will shape smart cities in 2021

From electrification to digital twins and the "15-minute city," respondents shared a wide variety of trends to watch in the new year.

By Kristin Musulin , Cailin Crowe , Chris Teale • Dec. 15, 2020

Q&A

Boston Mayor Walsh shares a vision of national climate action

Marty Walsh spoke with Smart Cities Dive about balancing his new role as Climate Mayors chair while addressing climate mitigation needs in Boston.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 14, 2020

Deep Dive

5G health concerns sow uncertainty amid ongoing rollout

While deployment continues unabated across the U.S., a small coalition of groups and leaders are trying to put the brakes on 5G in a bid to learn more about the technology.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 14, 2020

Green buildings 'unheralded hero' in emissions fight, experts say

President-elect Joe Biden's plan to boost energy efficiency in the sector promises to create up to one million jobs and mitigate the effects of climate change, elected officials said during a U.S. Green Building Council webinar. 

By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 2020

Cities play 'key role' in green COVID-19 recovery: report

The Rocky Mountain Institute and Bloomberg Philanthropies found local infrastructure projects and strong federal partners are significant in building a more resilient future.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 09, 2020

Dive Awards

City of the Year: Newark, NJ

Faced with the pandemic, protests for racial justice, and elevated levels of lead in the water, the city rose to the occasion and responded with community engagement and grassroots partnerships.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 09, 2020

Dive Awards

Leader of the Year: Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta

The mayor has guided the city through the onset of a devastating pandemic and civic unrest, while also fielding a lawsuit from the state governor and catching the attention of President-elect Joe Biden's administration.  

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 09, 2020

Dive Awards

The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2020

In a year where cities and local officials had to weather unprecedented crises, the following awardees stood out for their bold leadership.

By Smart Cities Dive Team • Dec. 09, 2020

Deep Dive

Agencies tap public surveys to gauge transit trends

From Idaho Falls to Norman, OK, cities and transit agencies are leaning on carefully crafted surveys to navigate the post-COVID future of transit.

By Adina Solomon • Dec. 08, 2020

What security experts expect from Biden's cyber strategy

The private sector is playing a more active role in national security. Now, security professionals are hungry for even more cross-sector collaboration.

By Samantha Schwartz • Dec. 07, 2020

San Jose, Oakland join growing list of California cities to ban natural gas construction

These measures add to more than 40 California cities that have updated building electrification codes — yet a "controversial exemption" in San Jose could turn the tide.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 04, 2020

Cities shouldn't leave curb management to private sector: T4A

Transportation for America released a series of principles to help cities of any size effectively manage curb space in the absence of universal standards and language.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 04, 2020

Opinion

Pandemics have historically altered urban housing. COVID-19 will do the same.

Necessity is the mother of invention, and this pandemic has created a variety of new necessities for urban residents and their environments.

By Demetrios Barnes • Dec. 04, 2020

Mayors strikingly pessimistic about post-COVID cities: survey

The annual Menino Survey of Mayors found most city leaders are concerned about the future of small businesses, minority communities and municipal budgets, saying federal aid has so far been insufficient. 

By Chris Teale • Dec. 03, 2020

Coalition urges renewed safety focus for AV legislation

If Congress tries again to regulate the technology, it should avoid the pitfalls of prior bills and ensure that all road users are properly protected, according to a coalition of over 55 industry groups.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 02, 2020

Opinion

How automation can alleviate law enforcement bias in transportation

Deploying automated traffic enforcement systems can free up law enforcement resources to be allocated in communities where they are needed most. 

By Holly Cooper • Dec. 02, 2020

USDOT pushes swift implementation of first pedestrian safety plan

The Pedestrian Safety Action Plan details proposed actions around street infrastructure, training and Vision Zero policies, but falls short on a promise of Complete Streets.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 01, 2020