Governance: Page 2
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Work halted on part of $9B Honolulu rail project due to incomplete design
Construction on a portion of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s rail project has stopped because of a lack of complete design drawings, according to its interim CEO.
By Zachary Phillips • March 15, 2021 -
The image by U.S. Department of the Interior is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Walsh confirmation vote expected next week
The Senate will vote on Boston Mayor Martin Walsh's nomination as secretary of Labor next week, the Boston Herald has reported.
By Joe Bousquin • UPDATED: March 16, 2021 at 10:10 a.m. -
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 -
Coghlan, Michael. (2020). "Library Truck" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Libraries to receive record federal aid to address digital divide
The American Rescue Plan includes billions in eligible funding for libraries, which have been key partners to cities in providing internet access to patrons.
By Cailin Crowe • March 12, 2021 -
House Democrats' bill would invest $94B to expand broadband internet
The LIFT America Act includes $80 billion to connect underserved areas in the U.S. and would provide $9.3 billion to make service affordable for all.
By Chris Teale • March 12, 2021 -
Zykov, Aleksandr. (2020). "Portland" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
The end of another Sidewalk Labs-linked project highlights smart city sticking point
Portland Metro dropped its initiative with data platform Replica over privacy disagreements, a common obstacle that experts say local leaders can learn from.
By Cailin Crowe • March 11, 2021 -
Calls for safer streets intensify amid 45% spike in pedestrian deaths
More than 53,400 people were killed by drivers over the past decade, Smart Growth America reports, with one expert blaming state and local governments for poor street designs.
By Chris Teale • March 10, 2021 -
Cincinnati Innovation District serves as model for Ohio cities
The innovation district, which just celebrated its first anniversary, has already inspired similar hubs in Columbus and Cleveland and has made headway on its goal to create $3 billion in economic impact.
By Chris Teale • March 09, 2021 -
Retrieved from National Safety Council on March 05, 2021
Vehicle deaths reached 13-year high in 2020: National Safety Council
U.S. roadways saw a dramatic increase in fatalities despite a pandemic-fueled drop in driving, renewing calls to embrace "life-saving" vehicle technologies.
By Chris Teale • March 08, 2021 -
Archer to expand air taxi network to Miami
Mayor Francis Suarez says the service, which is set to launch in 2024, will help people navigate water-locked areas and improve congestion.
By Chris Teale • UPDATED: March 10, 2021 at 9:35 a.m. -
US infrastructure funding gap swells to $2.6 trillion: ASCE
A 'C-' rating across 17 areas of infrastructure is a slight jump from a 'D+' grade in 2017 given by the American Society of Civil Engineers. But leaders say more needs to be done at the federal level to close a 10-year investment lag.
By Chris Teale • March 04, 2021 -
House Democrats clear pathway to 100% clean energy by 2035
The bill would require economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050, targeting transportation electrification, environmental justice and building efficiency.
By Catherine Morehouse • March 03, 2021 -
Up to 20 cities to improve street safety by turning asphalt into art
Bloomberg Philanthropies' Asphalt Art Initiative, now in its second year, will provide each city with up to $25,000 to improve street safety and revitalize public spaces with murals.
By Chris Teale • March 03, 2021 -
The debate over EV charging at interstate rest stops
NATSO said allowing electric chargers is the "wrong signal" from Congress, while advocates tout the need to modernize Eisenhower-era rules and provide parking.
By Jim Stinson • March 02, 2021 -
Andrew. (2011). "Los Angeles" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against LADOT data sharing requirements
Two Los Angeles scooter riders sued over the city's Mobility Data Specifications, citing privacy and unreasonable search concerns. But the case was dismissed, clearing a path forward for the requirement.
By Chris Teale • March 01, 2021 -
Senate passes American Rescue Plan, preserves local aid
Senators kept the $350 billion in direct relief for state and local governments, sending the bill back to the House where it is expected to pass quickly.
By Chris Teale • UPDATED: March 8, 2021 at 9:24 a.m. -
USPS to continue purchasing gas vehicles, despite Biden all-electric pledge
The postal service says the procurement allows for flexibility, and hinted at the ability to "retrofit" some vehicles. But EV advocates say "this will lock USPS into an outdated technology for many years."
By Robert Walton • Feb. 25, 2021 -
McDonald, Chad. (2016). "Up Up and away" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Resilient Cities Catalyst to tackle California's compounding crises
The group, born out of the 100 Resilient Cities initiative, launched the public-philanthropic California Resilience Partnership to address challenges stemming from racial injustice, climate change and the pandemic.
By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 24, 2021 -
What UK's Uber ruling could mean for the global gig economy
The decision to classify Uber drivers as workers could have global implications, particularly in labor-friendly countries poised to take up similar cases.
By Chris Teale • Feb. 23, 2021 -
Climate leaders go 'all in' to halve emissions by 2030
The new "America Is All In" coalition of U.S. communities, businesses and institutions, has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 with support from the federal government.
By Chris Teale • Feb. 22, 2021 -
Georgia smart city living lab unveils 5G incubator
Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners partnered with T-Mobile and Georgia Tech to help developers build test cases for 5G technology like drones and robotics.
By Chris Teale • Feb. 19, 2021 -
A smart city consultant takes the lead on a county's vaccine rollout
Former Kansas City, MO Chief Innovation Officer Bob Bennett oversees vaccines for Wyandotte County, KS, and is using his 'smart city' experience for an efficient, equitable distribution.
By Chris Teale • Feb. 18, 2021 -
Deep Dive
Transit workers face growing rate of assaults: 'There's not much we can do'
Some transit operators are asking for reassignments off the frontlines as they face increasingly violent threats from frustrated riders amid COVID-19.
By Chris Teale • Feb. 17, 2021 -
Minneapolis bans facial recognition to dismay of city police
The Minneapolis City Council passed a surveillance ordinance that police say was "crafted and approved without any consideration" from the department.
By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 17, 2021 -
Miami vies for the title of 'Bitcoin City'
Along with proposing the use of cryptocurrency in city governance, Mayor Francis Suarez introduced Venture Miami and appointed the city's first VC-in-residence — all in a matter of days.
By Kristin Musulin • Feb. 16, 2021 -
Security flaws enabled Tampa-area water utility hack
Authorities found poor security hygiene — weak passwords and an outdated operating system — played a role in the hack.
By Samantha Schwartz • UPDATED: Feb. 12, 2021 at 10:05 a.m.