NYC's Central Park to become climate research hub

The announcement of the Central Park Climate Lab comes as the World Economic Forum is highlighting how cities can mitigate climate threats by investing in nature-based solutions and infrastructure.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 20, 2022

Cities are murky on how they define 'green infrastructure': analysis

The term is increasingly popping up in strategic plans and climate plans alike, but many U.S. cities that reference goals for green infrastructure don't explicitly define what it is, a recent study found.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 13, 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

Las Vegas unveils digital twin at CES as part of sustainability push

The digital model of the city's downtown will help officials set policies and priorities for addressing energy use, emissions, traffic, parking, noise and emergency management.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 11, 2022

North Carolina sets goal to sell 50% zero-emission vehicles by 2030

An executive order released Friday by Gov. Roy Cooper expands the state's climate ambitions with new goals for zero-emission transportation and workforce equity.

By Emma Penrod • Jan. 11, 2022

Electric, autonomous delivery vehicle boom expected on city streets as inventories and orders grow

With Amazon, FedEx and Walmart among those placing major orders for electric delivery vehicles, thousands will appear on the road in coming years, executives announced at CES.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 7, 2022

The road ahead: How legacy auto brands will level the EV playing field in 2022

After setting the stage at CES with lofty product announcements, carmakers will focus on value, range and brand heritage to close the gap with disrupters like Tesla.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 5, 2022

12 predictions about the trends that will shape smart cities in 2022

As local leaders continue to adapt to the tremendous changes that the past year brought, industry players share how they anticipate cities will evolve.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 5, 2022

Q&A’s from 2021 that spotlight 13 smart cities voices

Revisit the year's one-on-one conversations, including with tech and climate leaders in Honolulu, Phoenix and San Diego and with execs at Revel, Veo and Drop Mobility.

Dec. 23, 2021

How the pandemic has shaped driver and pedestrian behavior

The past year has seen drastic changes to driver behavior and commuting patterns, ushering in an era of high traffic and pedestrian deaths.

Dec. 22, 2021

NYC’s new gas ban highlights market growth needs for building electrification

Outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the climate legislation in his final days in office, but work to expand awareness, market development and worker training remains.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 22, 2021

Cities lack sufficient data to monitor their progress toward climate goals: report

Just 19 of 100 large U.S. cities studied by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy are on track to meet their climate goals, and only 25 have set goals to cut emissions from transportation.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 17, 2021

Sidewalk Labs to fold its smart city products into Google

The CEO of Alphabet-owned Sidewalk Labs announced he's stepping down due to health reasons and that the company's products will join Google.

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 17, 2021

Boston’s new chief of streets to steer city beyond car-centric transportation

Former city CIO Jascha Franklin-Hodge will begin the role in January, aiming to support the sustainable transportation ideas that recently elected Mayor Wu campaigned on, including fare-free bus routes. 

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 10, 2021

Building electrification momentum grew in US cities in 2021

From Denver to Ithaca, New York, cities are charting new territory in their quest to slash built-environment emissions. Solutions include changing codes and adding performance standards, and even electrifying entire city building stocks.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 8, 2021

'A long way to go': How utilities are helping 6 cities meet big EV goals

From New York City to Los Angeles, cities and utilities face cost, land and grid challenges in their efforts to electrify transportation systems.

By Robert Walton , Emma Penrod , Jason Plautz , Scott Van Voorhis • Nov. 30, 2021

Cycling surge here to stay in many cities, report suggests

A host of Southern cities have seen significant jumps in ridership since before the pandemic. "If we match the demand with real infrastructure, who knows what our numbers could be," said one official at Walk Bike Nashville.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 29, 2021

Sustainability takes center stage in Milwaukee city operations

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.It’s cruci...

By Michael Keating • Nov. 24, 2021

Flooding risk complicates cities' push to legalize basement apartments

In the age of extreme weather, amid the deaths of 11 New Yorkers living in basement units following heavy rainfall from remnants of Hurricane Ida, cities aim to balance safety with affordable housing accessibility.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 11, 2021

Reassessing the smart cities movement

Smart Cities Dive asked 25 of the largest U.S. cities how they define a "smart city" and how that definition has evolved, the challenges they've faced in rolling out equitable policies and technologies, and their outlook for what's next.

By the Smart Cities Dive Team • Nov. 9, 2021

EV adoption poised to surge if Congress OKs $100B in purchase incentives, experts say

U.S. electric vehicle sales could finish 2021 at 5% of new purchases, according to industry observers. That's a milestone, but experts say adoption could really take off depending on federal government investments.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 5, 2021

A Greener Future for Playgrounds

A Greener Future for Playgrounds

Oct. 28, 2021

Green infrastructure increases resiliency to climate change, provides many other co-benefits

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.With risin...

By Andy Castillo • Oct. 27, 2021

A Delaware vertical farm sees itself as the future of urban agriculture. Can it succeed?

Second Chances Farm hires formerly incarcerated individuals in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The founder sees opportunity for the business model and communities, but others question the financial viability.

By Scott Pruden • Oct. 26, 2021

‘I get more smiles here’: Topeka makes a bid for the remote worker

For many people, crowded and expensive areas like New York or the Bay Area have grown nearly unlivable. The Choose Topeka program has found success dangling up to $15,000 for remote workers to relocate to the Kansas city.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 25, 2021

Thinking of adding smart trash cans in your city or facility? Here's what to do next.

A huge change in waste management that's a trash-collecting game changer.

Oct. 25, 2021