Boston moves to convert its charming but costly gas lamps to LEDs

The city is in the midst of a community engagement process to convert 2,800 of its remaining gas lamps  — which are 4% of the city's streetlights but 37% of its streetlight emissions — to LEDs in a bid to support climate goals.

By Cailin Crowe • March 25, 2022

Urban heat project to assess impact of scaling up cool pavements

Following some cities' cool pavements pilots, a new research initiative in one LA neighborhood will aim to measure extreme heat's impacts and implement cooling tech in a 10-square-block area to see how benefits amplify.

By Maria Rachal • March 25, 2022

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

How 'spongy' is your city? Report calls on cities to better assess how they absorb water

With digital mapping tools, cities can determine their baseline ability to manage rainfall, and in turn work to reduce their reliance on less climate-resilient infrastructure, according to engineering and consulting firm Arup.

By Maria Rachal • March 22, 2022

Boston to launch e-cargo bike pilot aimed at small business deliveries

The city's mayor’s office said the 18-month program "gives Boston an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and congestion on our streets, all while making them safer for drivers and pedestrians alike."

By Austyn Gaffney • March 21, 2022

'Self-healing' concrete substitute sucks carbon out of the air

Worcester Polytechnic Institute researchers have developed a material that can remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and could one day be used on roads and buildings.

By George Kevin Jordan • March 16, 2022

The problem with urban tree-planting promises

Lofty goals to plant millions of trees sound like a magic-bullet environmental policy that everyone can get behind. But experts warn it's not that simple.

By Jason Plautz • March 14, 2022

Fullerton, California, to fund smart city projects with energy savings

The $8.4 million energy efficiency project is expected to save the city $12.1 million and support the implementation of technology like LED streetlights. 

By Cailin Crowe • March 7, 2022

Local governments rely on ICMA to help make communities more resilient and sustainable

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.ICMA is a ...

By Michael Keating • March 7, 2022

Biden touts charging network expansion in State of the Union amid 85% jump in 2021 US EV sales

During his speech to Congress, President Joe Biden highlighted plans for a 500,000-charger national network supported by the federal government as EV sales surge and the market prepares for a flood of federal funding.

By Robert Walton • March 4, 2022

Climate adaptation alarm bells trigger questions on cities' next steps

How can cities act on the latest dire warning from climate scientists? For starters, set nearer-term goals and treat the situation as an emergency, urban sustainability leaders say.

By Maria Rachal • March 3, 2022

Local governments advise EPA on using infrastructure dollars to support climate justice

An advisory group recommended ways the agency can provide flexibility and support to communities, ensure that equity goals see follow-through and promote climate-resilient projects.

By Maria Rachal • March 1, 2022

Making corporate net-zero rhetoric real in 2022

Businesses' net-zero commitments are new promises to do good for broader society, going far beyond the company's own operations, the authors write. 

By Chris Deri and Sasha Mackler • March 1, 2022

Urban noise pollution is a top environmental threat: UN report

Industrial or traffic noise in cities is detrimental to health in ways beyond hearing loss. The UN Environment Programme is urging governments to make positive soundscape considerations part of the urban planning process.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 24, 2022

Revisiting California’s natural gas hookup subsidies

California is one of the biggest consumers of natural gas in the U.S., and has been adding new gas customers faster than any other state. These trends are in direct conflict with its ambitious climate goals, the authors write.

By Clifford Rechtschaffen and Simi Rose George • Feb. 23, 2022

Louisville eyes forming public electric utility to meet climate goals

Its goal of achieving 100% clean energy communitywide by 2040 does not match the decarbonization plans of its current energy provider, leading the city to look for alternatives.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 11, 2022

States must develop EV infrastructure plans to access $5B in federal funding: DOE, DOT

Federal officials on Thursday unveiled the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program that will make $615 million available to states in fiscal year 2022. 

By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2022

NYC mayor reshapes climate approach to put environmental justice at the fore

Climate progress requires "driving resilience, decarbonization, and environmental justice into daily city operations," said the city's newly appointed chief climate officer, a C40 Cities and Sidewalk Labs alum.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 3, 2022

New resource from NLC highlights best, worst practices for addressing homelessness

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Homelessne...

By Andy Castillo • Feb. 3, 2022

Smart Cities Dive 2022 Outlook

In the year ahead, city leaders will continue preparing for the electrification of cars, buses and buildings, while also tackling the complex challenges of crime, growing inequities, labor shortages and extreme weather.

Feb. 2, 2022

Resilience work expands as definition and dollars do, too

The pandemic made it impossible to ignore how connected social and environmental challenges are in cities, while also illuminating the need for partnership within and among local governments, resilience advisers say.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 31, 2022

DC joins growing list of cities requiring new buildings to include EV parking

A make-ready rule requires 20% of parking to be ready for EV charging in certain new and refurbished buildings. But a parking reform expert said the rules ignore a bigger climate question: Is new parking necessary at all?

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 27, 2022

8 trends shaping cities in 2022

Cities continue to confront challenges surrounding the pandemic, the climate crisis, rising inequality and public safety this year.

By Cailin Crowe, Danielle McLean, Maria Rachal, Dan Zukowski and Jason Plautz • Jan. 26, 2022

Resiliency remains key as electric sector becomes ‘tip of the spear’ for decarbonization, trade group leaders say

The industry is facing new and old issues in 2022, according to experts at the U.S. Energy Association’s 2022 State of the Energy Industry Forum, including supply chain, labor, cybersecurity and reliability challenges.

By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 25, 2022

Upward Farms plans world's largest indoor vertical farm

The 250,000-square-foot facility in Pennsylvania will supply microgreens and fish to consumers in the Northeast using the company's aquaponic technology.

By Samantha Oller • Jan. 25, 2022

White House forms coalition with local governments to pursue building performance policies

In a federal show of support for locally led decarbonization and retrofitting efforts, the coalition will cover nearly 20% of the U.S. building footprint and aims to advance legislation or regulation over the next two years.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 24, 2022