Cities are cutting emissions with an unlikely aid: concrete

Cutting emissions from concrete in public infrastructure projects is an under-utilized and low-cost policy option that governments can readily pursue.

By Eric Dunford • Nov. 23, 2020

Wastewater surveillance may be key to widespread COVID-19 detection

COVID-19 presents a rare opportunity for researchers to refine and implement wastewater-based epidemiology testing to fight the pandemic and manage future infections.

By Leanne Huysentruyt • Nov. 20, 2020

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

Wildfires pushed PG&E into bankruptcy. Should other utilities be worried?

Catastrophic wildfires, which can lead to billions of dollars in damages, present a unique financial risk that the utility sector will want to get ahead of.

By Kavya Balaraman • Nov. 20, 2020

Climate progress in 6 sectors too slow to limit global warming: report

The World Resources Institute and ClimateWorks said efforts to bolster electrification and renewable energy must accelerate, while deforestation and agricultural production raised red flags.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 19, 2020

EPA sets 2030 national recycling goal, stakeholders call for more federal action

Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced a 50% recycling rate target for 2030, while the latest annual data showed a decline to 32.1% and multiple financial pressures continue for the sector.

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 19, 2020

25 US cities land on CDP 2020 ‘A List’

Despite the unprecedented obstacles of COVID-19, CDP identified 88 global cities that have continued to make progress on climate action, with 34% of those cities new to the list this year.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 16, 2020

Mayors unveil $60B plan to support Midwest energy transition

The Marshall Plan for Middle America aims to address the Ohio Valley region's projected 100,000 job losses triggered by a shift away from fossil fuels.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 16, 2020

Will ghost kitchens define the restaurant industry's future?

While investor interest booms and sales have the potential to outpace traditional models, questions linger about how much this emerging market could disrupt business in the long term. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 10, 2020

Lifecycle thinking: Helping businesses find the rewards in recycling

How can businesses move forward in today's global waste market? Start with lifecycle thinking.

Nov. 9, 2020

A parametric approach to pandemic resilience

We do not have years of precedents to formulate a response to COVID-19. Therefore, pandemic planning processes must be agile and flexible to incorporate continuous uncertainty and change.

By Jason King and Evangelos Pantazis • Nov. 6, 2020

Mass timber reaches for new heights to unlock zero-carbon cities

Design firms are tapping mass timber to illustrate how eco-friendly material can be used to support a sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 4, 2020

REEF Technology raises $700M to support the 15-minute city

The mobility, logistics and neighborhood hub operator said the funding will help promote its efforts to connect people to goods and services without a car.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 4, 2020

Smarter waste management is one piece of the smart city puzzle

Bringing solid waste operations to the future with automated processes in Spokane, WA.

Nov. 4, 2020

How the 2020 election could impact the waste and recycling industry

The outcome could affect major issues like climate change, PFAS, taxes, M&A, recycling policies and more. 

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 2, 2020

Global cities join forces to support the ‘creative economy’

Eighteen cities will take part in the latest round of the World Cities Culture Forum's Leadership Exchange Program, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and Google Arts & Culture.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 30, 2020

NYC strengthens Climate Mobilization Act building requirements

Buildings with less than 35% of units under rent regulation will be required to comply with the act's emissions limits and not pass the costs to tenants, following a Thursday city council vote.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 30, 2020

Green stimulus could create $280B in economic benefits: C40

The C40 Global Mayors Recovery Task Force said investing relief money in solutions to fight climate change could prevent 270,000 premature deaths globally and create over 6 million jobs in the U.S. alone.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 28, 2020

The 10 cities in the most 'financial distress': report

Las Vegas, Chicago and Houston are home to the residents experiencing the heaviest financial burdens, according to a recent WalletHub study.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 28, 2020

10 statewide ballot measures to watch: results

Of the 10 ballot initiatives identified last week as "measures to watch," only one — a rent control initiative in California — failed at the polls.

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Updated Nov. 4, 2020

Ballot billions: Behind the efforts to fund and finance climate action

In a year that virtually depleted municipal budgets, ballot-derived tax and funding measures can be crucial to support city-level climate action. Outside of these measures, how else can cities secure cash?

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Oct. 27, 2020

Cities’ GHG emissions reduction efforts, by the numbers

A new Brookings report assessed the nation's many climate action plans to check if cities are meeting their emissions reduction commitments.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 23, 2020

Lime, WWF partner to promote clean transportation

The micromobility giant and conservation leader will run joint education and advocacy campaigns in a bid to enhance mobility options and safer streets.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 22, 2020

Death of the downtown: How cities can rebuild using ‘tactical urbanism’

Whether or not cities "bounce back" from the COVID-19 pandemic will be determined by the choices they make to reimagine their downtown hubs, experts say.

By Amanda Loudin • Oct. 20, 2020

Shutting off water in a pandemic? With the right tech, we shouldn’t have to.

Thousands of Americans are at risk of water shut-offs due to financial constraints. Why is this, when technologies exist to make water more affordable for everyone?

By Christine E. Boyle • Oct. 19, 2020

A climate solution hidden in plain sight

Hillsboro, OR opened the doors to a new community center this month that provides both critical infrastructure and a powerful climate solution.

Oct. 19, 2020