Resilience: Page 2

Averting economic devastation from New York's billion-dollar consumer energy debt

Federal funds will eliminate a lot of New Yorkers' energy and water utility debt, but utility shareholders must share the burden of what remains, the authors write.

By Kevin Parker and Richard Berkley • May 26, 2021

Stimulus funds poised to magnify impact of Economic Development Administration's new equity focus

The EDA has for the first time prioritized equity in its strategy as it looks to invest in underserved communities and prepare them for the jobs of the future.

By Chris Teale • May 24, 2021

Funding is a key barrier to cities' climate plan progress: report

About 43% of cities worldwide lack a climate adaptation plan, with 25% noting budget constraints as an obstacle, nonprofit CDP reports. But neglecting to address climate change comes with a financial cost too, experts warn.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 17, 2021

Verizon-backed accelerator taps emerging tech to support climate justice

A new initiative aims to use 5G, big data and AI to help vulnerable communities build resiliency against the worst impacts of climate change. 

By Chris Teale • April 26, 2021

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

Buttigieg defends climate elements of American Jobs plan

The transportation secretary told the Senate Appropriations Committee that President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan aims to have the country off fossil fuels and toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

By Kim Slowey • April 21, 2021

Equitable energy transition will require more than funding and job training, researchers say

Utilities, governments must ensure clean energy jobs provide stable, middle-class earnings, according to a new guide from Inclusive Economics and the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge.

By Emma Penrod • April 19, 2021

Cities spend millions on homeless encampment response: report

Local governments spend up to $8.5 million a year in response to encampments, according to the first federal encampment study, as a lack of affordable housing remains a key reason people are unhoused. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 15, 2021

Businesses urge Biden admin to set ambitious federal climate target

Apple, Lime and hundreds of other businesses and investors signed a letter calling for the U.S. to cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.

By Cailin Crowe • April 13, 2021

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

Advocates call for $650M in federal funds to curb food waste in states, cities

Atlanta, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Madison, WI are among the groups calling for annual investments through at least 2030 for food waste diversion infrastructure and other strategies.

By Maria Rachal • April 08, 2021

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

Boston pilots free public transit in bid for equitable COVID recovery

The city is one of many turning to zero-fare programs, which could entice riders back onto public transit following the pandemic. But concerns over lost fare revenue may remain a deterrent.

By Cailin Crowe • 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

Cities face new roadblock in quest to decarbonize buildings

The International Code Council removed the rights of local governments to vote on energy-efficient building codes, a move with major implications for cities as they seek to dramatically reduce emissions. 

By Cailin Crowe • March 24, 2021

Community-led design of public spaces could have 'ripple effect' in COVID recovery: report

Analysis of public spaces in Detroit; Philadelphia; San Jose, CA; and Akron, OH by the Knight Foundation and design firm Gehl found successful and resilient programming could have long-term effects after the pandemic.

By Chris Teale • March 24, 2021

Cities turn to resilience corps as pandemic recovery tactic

San Jose, CA is the latest major city to embrace the initiative, which provides jobs and skills training to residents hardest-hit by the pandemic. 

By Chris Teale • March 22, 2021

Waterfront Toronto to design 'complete community' after Sidewalk Labs split

The group launched a competition to find a new development partner, seeking a plan that includes affordable housing and support for aging in place.

By Cailin Crowe • March 17, 2021

San Antonio power provider sues ERCOT, citing 'unlawful' pricing

Mayor Ron Nirenburg gave the city's full support for the suit against the Texas grid operator, saying "state regulators are presiding over one of the largest illegal transfers of wealth" in state history.

By Catherine Morehouse • March 16, 2021

DOE to spend billions on electric vehicle R&D in jobs fight with China

President Biden's administration is tackling transportation electrification in part to prevent China from cornering a $23 trillion market in carbon-reducing tech, according to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. 

By Robert Walton • March 11, 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

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

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

Residents' climate anecdotes to inform San Diego resilience plan

Following hazard vulnerability assessments, the city is nearing a resilience draft plan focused on wildfires, sea level rise, extreme heat and flooding.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 19, 2021

Power sector experts fight misinformation around Texas outages

Operators will often prepare for peak loads based on historical data, but those forecasts can be less predictable under a changing climate, one expert said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 18, 2021