Rent relief was needed 'well before a global health crisis': leaders

On a Local Progress press call, local officials called on state and federal leaders to provide financial relief for the country's tens of millions of renters. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 5, 2020

Pueblo, CO voters reject leaving IOU for municipal utility

Mayor Nick Gradisar had said forming a city-owned utility would help the city lower rates and reach its 100% renewable energy by 2035 goal.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated May 6, 2020

Office space occupancy may drop post-pandemic — and that's OK

COVID-19 has forced employers to adjust operations and expectations in a way that eliminates the remote work "stigma." If this is continued post-pandemic, cities could see major benefits.

By Adam Segal • April 30, 2020

11 mayors form C40's coronavirus recovery task force

Mayors from around the world will convene to explore how local governments can drive economic recovery that best prioritizes health, equality and climate.

By Chris Teale • April 30, 2020

How two red states are enforcing contrasting recovery strategies

The mayors of Atlanta and New Orleans addressed the different approaches their respective governors have taken to easing restrictions, and the potential ramifications of reopening economies too early.

By Chris Teale • April 29, 2020

FCC commissioners disagree sharply on state of broadband

Some said the FCC's Broadband Deployment Report showed a continued decline in the digital divide, while others argued the report's data is flawed.

By Chris Teale • April 29, 2020

The pandemic pace: A look at congestion-free speeding and its risks

As city streets see drastic dips in vehicular traffic, a by-the-numbers look shows drivers are traveling at unprecedented speeds — putting pedestrians, cyclists and other civilians at risk. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 29, 2020

Cities can leverage program management to drive smart solutions

Independent program management offices (PMOs)​ have the ability to break down the complexities of public-private partnerships and eliminate burdens on local governments.

By Lauren Gore • April 28, 2020

Dubai government cuts paper use by 65%

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has led government departments in its paper consumption reduction, thanks to its smart app and website.

By Chris Teale • April 27, 2020

Enviro group launches OneNYC climate tracker

Urgency behind reaching the plan's targets is increasing as a majority of city leaders, including the mayor, are term-limited come 2021.

By Kristin Musulin • April 27, 2020

Transportation Electrification Partnership proposes $150B federal stimulus package

The proposal calls for investments in zero emission infrastructure, EV adoption, workforce development and other areas to build climate resilience amid COVID-19.

By Cailin Crowe • April 27, 2020

Cities have seen a cycling surge amid COVID-19. Will the trend stick?

A number of cities have closed streets to vehicular traffic to support and protect a spike in biking. As cities look to recovery, advocates hope such moves will influence change.

By Chris Teale • April 27, 2020

San Francisco, DC mayors call for more federal aid: 'I don't think it's a lot to ask'

The mayors said during a Washington Post Live event that cities want to reopen their economies, but must be careful to avoid a resurgence of cases.

By Chris Teale • April 24, 2020

Questions loom as Census Bureau works to modernize data privacy

The development of a new Disclosure Avoidance System (DAS) has raised questions about the 2020 census’ ultimate efficacy.

By David Oliver • April 24, 2020

Houston unveils first Climate Action Plan

Houston is home to one of the largest rates of per capita GHG emissions in the country, yet it wasn't until Hurricane Harvey in 2017 that the city's perception of climate urgency turned on its head.

By Kristin Musulin • April 24, 2020

Omaha, NE residents pick up city's slack in COVID-19 communications

The mayor’s office lacks social media pages, email newsletters or text services to communicate important health information with residents. As COVID-19 spreads, community leaders are stepping up.

By Kristin Musulin • April 23, 2020

Populus to help global cities manage flexible street policies

The company has pushed its Street Manager platform as a tool for cities to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe amid changing traffic trends.

By Cailin Crowe • Updated July 9, 2020

New (im)mobility: Can we avoid the private car revenge?

Mobility operators and public leaders must anticipate a post-pandemic shift to single-occupancy vehicle use, and act before urban transportation locks us down again.

By Joël Hazan, Pierre-François Marteau, Benjamin Fassenot • April 22, 2020

LiDAR solution to monitor social distancing as cities reopen

Anaheim, CA-based iinside unveiled technology to better analyze crowd density and spacing in areas like airports or sport venues. 

By Chris Teale • April 22, 2020

Chicago COVID-19 data stresses racial disparities seen nationally

Black individuals are contracting and dying from COVID-19 at a disproportionately high rate. Experts blame long-standing inequities and structural racism — and urge cities to mitigate the racial divide.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 21, 2020

California cities top air pollution list — again

The American Lung Association’s annual "State of the Air" found warmer temperatures are contributing to widespread smog and soot levels in U.S. cities.

By David Oliver • April 21, 2020

'Angeleno Campaign' raises $10M in prepaid debit cards for LA residents

The program, created by Accelerator for America and Mastercard, saw so much immediate demand that the city's phone systems crashed.

By Cailin Crowe • April 21, 2020

Spin unveils 'Build a Better Barrier Challenge' winners

The grand prize was given to "WeCLAIM," a design that uses reclaimed tires to build lane dividers filled with plants and grasses, in a bid to ensure clear separation of travel lanes.

By Chris Teale • Updated July 28, 2020

BLS: March unemployment data shows early impacts of coronavirus

The newly released BLS data was collected before major stay-at-home orders took effect, but gives a sneak peek at how rates may spike next month.

By Kristin Musulin • April 20, 2020

NYC slashes program funding in 'cautious' FY21 budget

The city's $89.3 billion budget reduced or temporarily eliminated funding for programs across at least seven city departments to address constraints amid coronavirus. Some see the cuts as a "false trade-off."

By David Oliver • April 20, 2020