The CARES Act won’t support cleantech, but cities still can

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator CEO Matt Petersen is urging cities to align priorities around COVID-19 mitigation and climate action while the federal government sleeps on funding.

By Kristin Musulin • April 3, 2020

Former NOLA mayor: Cities are ‘out of sync’ in COVID-19 response

During a Wednesday webinar, former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu warned of a "very dark couple of months" ahead but said cities can, and will, recover.

By Chris Teale • April 2, 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

No wipes in the pipes: Coronavirus cleaning leads to spike in sewer clogs

The use of disinfectant wipes is spiking as residents try to protect themselves from COVID-19. The result: clogged municipal wastewater systems and costly repairs. 

By Katie Pyzyk • April 1, 2020

Libraries adapt to census needs amid COVID-19 disruptions

Coronavirus has forced U.S. libraries to scratch their original census engagement plans, but many are still deploying new, creative solutions. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 1, 2020

Cities’ shortage of COVID-19 supplies reaches ‘crisis proportions’

A survey from the U.S. Conference of Mayors found 92% of cities don't have enough face masks for first responders or an adequate supply of test kits.

By Cailin Crowe • March 30, 2020

Phishing attacks increase 667% as coronavirus spreads: study

Spring is typically the time of year bad actors send tax-related phishing emails, but this year they are leveraging human fear and health. 

By Samantha Schwartz • March 26, 2020

Cities ‘woefully unprepared’ for coronavirus response: report

Investments in urban resilience and new tech will be key as cities work to recover from COVID-19 while grappling with climate threats and other risks, according to ABI Research. 

By Chris Teale • March 25, 2020

Libraries in Helsinki pause air quality data collection

Libraries that were renting out wearable devices for air quality detection have stopped the initiative due to coronavirus, but are optimistic the project will track notable trends when resumed.

By Cailin Crowe • March 25, 2020

UrbanLeague provides free COVID-19 portals for CIOs, city managers

The platform enables city leaders to access resources such as playbooks and guidelines, and enter "live chats" to address pressing coronavirus questions.

By Kristin Musulin • March 20, 2020

Using P3s for coronavirus response

We must do our part to drive cooperation between the public and private sectors, and rethink the definition of resiliency given our newfound understanding for what is at risk.

By Ryan Martin • March 20, 2020

COVID-19 may sport the thinnest silver lining: a cleaner climate

There is evidence of declining carbon emissions and improved air quality as societies lock down. Experts say potential stimulus funding could present an opportunity to perpetuate these changes.

By Chris Teale • March 19, 2020

New York City Council pushes efforts to reach ‘zero waste’

A new agenda calls for the expansion of curbside residential organics collection citywide along with more than a dozen other policies.

By Cole Rosengren • March 16, 2020

Paying ransom is often 'only logical solution' for cyberattacks: Deloitte

Giving in to hacker demands is never ideal for cities. Deloitte's report explains how governments can better build and operate systems to prepare for attacks. 

By Kristin Musulin • March 13, 2020

IDC names winners of 2020 Smart Cities North America Awards

The projects were selected by public vote and represent "the best and brightest change agents within government," said IDC executive Ruthbea Yesner.

By Kristin Musulin • March 10, 2020

Meeting your cities' sustainability goals through fleet electrification

How do you know when is the right time to switch your fleet to EVs? We can help you figure it out!

By Matt Stevens, Vice President, Electric Vehicles for Geotab • March 10, 2020

San Jose, CA unveils 6 partners for Better Buildings program

The participants have committed to reducing emissions from their buildings by 10% over the course of the one-year program.

By Chris Teale • March 9, 2020

Electric refuse trucks on the road (or on the way) in rising number of states

A recent event in Maine highlighted the presence of BYD, Lion and others in this quickly evolving sector. It was also a reminder that charging infrastructure remains a notable, and potentially expensive, startup factor.

By Cole Rosengren • March 6, 2020

Entrepreneurs must focus on serving frontline populations

The world needs creative entrepreneurs operating at the nexus of community and climate to avoid worsening climate disasters and inequality.

By Kevin de León, Sara Chandler • March 3, 2020

How many curbside recycling programs have been cut?

Our sister publication Waste Dive has kept a running tally of 70-plus municipal suspensions or cancellations of curbside recycling. Read the full list here.

By E.A. Crunden , Cole Rosengren • Updated March 4, 2020

IBM highlights 3 top solutions to support COVID-19 response

The solutions, part of the company's Call for Code Global Challenge, were developed from teams around the world to enable more effective pandemic response through technologies and cloud capabilities.

By Cailin Crowe , Kristin Musulin • Updated May 5, 2020

Ride-hailing pollutes 70% more than trips it replaces: study

The Union of Concerned Scientists points to significant emissions from "deadheading," which takes up 40% of ride-hailing miles traveled. Lyft, however, says the report is "misleading."

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 26, 2020

Are smart cities actually safer?

No longer can municipalities operate in silos if they want to achieve safer communities. Now, they must integrate people, places and processes to prepare and respond thoroughly.

By Ralph Diment • Feb. 25, 2020

Charlotte, NC’s green tariff solar deal could spark wider trend in cities

The city council approved a 35-megawatt project to generate 24% of its municipal electricity, making it the most populous U.S. city to acquire large-scale solar through a green tariff.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 25, 2020

The 'water literacy' lessons cities can learn from Cape Town

The city almost became the first to run out of water in 2018. Since then, local leaders have put the onus on residents to help avoid repeats.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 24, 2020

12 cities with curbside recycling expansion potential: report

The Recycling Partnership's report on the future of U.S. recycling argues that investment in these cities would yield "some of the highest, single-city jumps in material recovery," reaching 1.62 million total households. 

By E.A. Crunden • Feb. 20, 2020