The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2019

From Sidewalk Labs' disruptive, futuristic smart city to the climate strategy in Calgary, Alberta, these are the leading cities, officials and initiatives of the year.

Dec. 9, 2019

What I wish I’d said to California’s chief air regulator about clean transportation

Will flexible demand-side resources ever be able to participate in power markets in the same way as supply-side resources? That's the question before Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols — and all of us.

By David Farnsworth • Dec. 6, 2019

NYC launches commercial cargo bike pilot to reduce congestion

City officials hope the program, which includes Amazon, DHL and UPS, will also boost air quality and pedestrian safety. Logistics companies say it will be easier to find parking.

By Matt Leonard • Dec. 5, 2019

Climate Mayors to bolster city-level action with steering committee

The new 24-member committee will work to "catalyze membership" and further engage residents to reach Paris agreement goals.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 4, 2019

LA wants to reach 30% EVs on roads by 2028 Olympics

Local government and private partners released the Zero Emissions 2028 Roadmap 2.0 to accelerate the use of electric vehicles and clean transit.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 3, 2019

The safest cities in the US: report

A survey from WalletHub examined 41 key safety indicators in three categories: home and community safety, natural disaster risk and financial safety.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 3, 2019

Cincinnati to build nation’s largest city-led solar array

The project, which is predicted to reduce 158,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, will cover 1,000 acres with more than 310,000 solar panels.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 25, 2019

Atlanta becomes 100th LEED certified city

The city's resilience plan, with initiatives around clean energy, electric vehicle car-sharing and more, played a role in achieving certification.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 22, 2019

Electric trucks may be the future, but waste and recycling market still charging up

Looking to move away from diesel and meet climate goals, a growing number of service providers are testing out models from coast to coast. 

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • Nov. 22, 2019

Road to 100: How one man’s mission to power his hometown by wind created a Northwest Missouri boon

The town of 1,200 was the first in the country to be able to power all of its electricity from wind resources. Now, the county is booming in wind production.

By Catherine Morehouse • Nov. 22, 2019

RMI: World is ‘badly off track’ on Paris climate goals, needs heightened focus on energy efficiency

Rocky Mountain Institute has a new report that identifies seven critical areas of the energy sector where strong intervention could help limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2019

NYC, LA, DC and 23 states sue EPA over vehicle emission standards

The states and cities are suing the EPA, which has moved to block California's ability to set its own vehicle efficiency standards.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 19, 2019

Meeting Paris goals will require EV innovation: MIT report

The study also found that a future with more accessible AVs could increase congestion and reduce public transit ridership without policy intervention. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 19, 2019

It's time to rethink how we move around our cities

"To have any shot at addressing the climate crisis, we need solutions that will curtail transportation pollution and move us toward a carbon-free economy." 

By Andrew Savage • Nov. 19, 2019

Lyft adds 200 EVs to Denver rental program

EV-friendly governmental actions prompted the deployment in the city, which the company said is one of the largest in the country. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 18, 2019

CoMotion LA: Congestion pricing could help equity, climate efforts

Congestion pricing could fund free transit, according to LA Metro CEO Phil Washington, which he said is a "lofty goal," but still a beneficial one to pursue. 

By Chris Teale • Nov. 18, 2019

Denver seeking diverse community leaders for Climate Action Task Force

The group, which will include 20-24 community members, will be tasked with developing an updated climate work plan through an equity lens.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 13, 2019

Goodr CEO: Cities should reclassify food as a utility

The food waste app founder says hunger is a logistics issue, not a scarcity issue. Repurposing excess food diverts waste while helping those in need, "and every city should be happy about that."

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 13, 2019

DC is eyeing an ambitious zero waste bill

The bill aims to help the city reach "zero waste" by 2032 through new compost requirements and recycling programs for sharps and batteries.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 12, 2019

5 strategic shifts that are making cities smarter: report

ABI Research identified the many ways cities are becoming more advanced and efficient, ranging from digital twins to smart spaces.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 11, 2019

What will your city's climate feel like in 2080?

At current emissions rates, New York summers are projected to feel nearly 10 degrees warmer. Learn how 10 city climates are projected to feel in 60 years.

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 11, 2019

T-Mobile pledges free 5G to all first responders if Sprint deal closes

This promise — worth $7.7 billion over 10 years — is not the first that T-Mobile has made to tout the potential benefits of its merger with Sprint.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 11, 2019

Los Angeles creates street tree inventory, kicks off planting season

The inventory will allow the city's Bureau of Street Services to collect better data and identify trends while determining the best practices for tree planting.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 5, 2019

Are climate emergency declarations the new normal?

As cities wrestle with the urgent need to deal with the climate crisis, advocates say the declarations could be "coming to your city as a demand soon."

By Chris Teale • Nov. 4, 2019

Academics urge Jacksonville, FL mayor to craft climate plan

The signatories claim Jacksonville is the only major city in Florida without a climate plan and suggest the city should hire an official to lead the charge.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 4, 2019