National parks get EV chargers through BMW partnership

One hundred EV chargers are being installed at parks across the country with industry-standard plugs for use across different brands.

By Jason Plautz • July 10, 2019

Boston's first move on 'zero waste' plan indicates large-scale ambitions

The city released an RFI seeking ideas for a program to reduce the estimated 54,700 tons of residential food and yard waste disposed of each year. 

By Cole Rosengren • July 10, 2019

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

Mayors left out of Trump’s environmental leadership address

The president applauded his administration's work on environmental stewardship in an address on Monday. There was no praise for leadership on the local level.

By Kristin Musulin • July 9, 2019

Rockefeller Foundation launches new climate and resilience initiative

The initiative is one of three pathways for the foundation to transition its urban resilience work as 100 Resilient Cities disbands this month. 

By Katie Pyzyk • July 9, 2019

ShakeAlert app did not alert Los Angeles residents of weekend quakes

Despite 6.4- and 7.1-magnitude earthquakes that rocked Southern California, officials said the tremors weren't intense enough to set off the app.

By Kristin Musulin • July 8, 2019

Report: Pittsburgh could reduce carbon emissions 75% by 2030

Siemens' City Performance Tool found the city could exceed its climate goals by expanding district heating systems and implementing electric buses and car-sharing, among other initiatives.

By Cailin Crowe • July 8, 2019

Philadelphia takes strides in combating opioid crisis: ‘If we fail, we want to fail fast’

A new progress report highlights the work 35 city departments have done to curb opioid use. "It's easy to collapse under the weight of this," the city's managing director told Smart Cities Dive.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 8, 2019

Hawaii to combat climate change with carbon-injected concrete

The green concrete can reduce embodied carbon by 25 pounds per cubic yard, according to the state's transportation department.

By Jason Plautz • July 8, 2019

Trump: Federal government could ‘intercede’ on homelessness crisis

During a Fox News interview, the president said homelessness is a problem that started two years ago. "We've never had this in our lives before," he said.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 3, 2019

Is the commercial sector the wrong lane for non-emergency medical transportation?

Employers and commercial plans are increasingly looking to partner with players like Uber and Lyft for non-emergency medical transportation, raising thorny questions about the return on investment in a healthier population.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 2, 2019

Atlanta unveils affordable housing plan

The city's population has grown 17% since 2000, but wages are not keeping up with rising rents, especially for longtime residents. 

By Katie Pyzyk • July 2, 2019

The rise of urban food forests

Cities like Atlanta and Philadelphia recognize that a park can be more than just a green space when visitors are allowed to pick fruits, vegetables and nuts.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 2, 2019

US mayors recognized for climate protection efforts

Los Angeles and Fayetteville, AR took home top awards and 10 other cities received honorable mentions at the 13th Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards.

By Jason Plautz • July 2, 2019

NYC declares 'climate emergency' in symbolic resolution

It became the largest U.S. city to pass such a measure, calling for urgent action to prevent "more climate injustices and more Hurricane Sandy’s."

By Jason Plautz • June 28, 2019

US PIRG calls out 9 wasteful highway projects

The group's fifth Highway Boondoggles report says the projects, which collectively will cost $25 billion, will harm communities and the environment.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 26, 2019

5 takeaways from Sidewalk Labs’ smart city master plan

The 1,500-page "Toronto Tomorrow" plan, released Monday, puts a $1.3 billion price tag on the project with hopes to catalyze $38 billion in investment by 2040.

By Kristin Musulin • June 25, 2019

London plans 'car-free day' to draw attention to air pollution crisis

Mayor Sadiq Khan hopes the effort, being held on Sept. 22, will encourage Londoners to "see the city from a different perspective."

By Jason Plautz • June 24, 2019

New York approves landmark climate bill

Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the bill the "the most aggressive climate change legislation in the nation."

By Jason Plautz • June 20, 2019

EPA issues Clean Power Plan replacement as coal bailout remains sidelined

"Fossil fuels will continue to be a key part of the energy mix," EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said at a press conference Wednesday.

By Robert Walton • June 19, 2019

Boston aims for 80% recycling rate, plans organics pilot

A new "zero waste" plan outlines 30 recommendations involving food waste, textiles, recycling education and more. 

By Cole Rosengren • June 19, 2019

Google pledges $1B to fight Bay Area housing crisis

The investment comes on the heels of a report claiming Google's new mega campus in San Jose would cause rents in the area to soar. 

By Katie Pyzyk • June 19, 2019

Swedish university designs air pollution sensor for streetlights

The optical nano-sensor was developed as a cheaper air monitoring device that can detect pollution in hard-to-read areas.

By Jason Plautz • June 18, 2019

Google's new San Jose campus could cost renters $235M more annually

A report from Working Partnerships USA recommends how Google and San Jose can pursue inclusive tech development.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 17, 2019

Cities of Service announces 10 finalists for Engaged Cities awards

Up to three winning cities will be announced in October, sharing a total of $200,000 for tackling environmental, health and safety and other issues.

By Chris Teale • June 17, 2019

Bloomberg: Waiting on climate action 'isn't good enough'

The former New York mayor injects urgency into the fight against climate change, signaling that local, state and business leaders should head the initiative. 

By Jason Plautz • June 14, 2019