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

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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

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

Can NYC solve waste, health problems through a food sustainability initiative?

The city joins London and Sao Paulo in the three-year Ellen MacArthur Foundation initiative, aimed to improve financial, health and ecological outcomes with a circular economy.

By Cathy Siegner • June 12, 2019

Amazon donates $8M to curb homelessness in Seattle, Arlington, VA

The contributions will go toward building permanent affordable housing capacity near the company's headquarters.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 12, 2019

Pittsburgh gets state funds for EV chargers, fleet vehicles

The grant, matched by the city, came from the Pennsylvania Department of Environment Protection's Alternative Incentive program.

By Jason Plautz • June 11, 2019

Bloomberg pledges $500M to move country away from coal, natural gas

The former New York City mayor's Beyond Carbon campaign will seek to close remaining coal plants by 2030 and use 100% clean energy.

By Jason Plautz • June 10, 2019

15 US cities on the verge of a housing crisis

An analysis from 24/7 Wall St. illustrates that housing crises are no longer just a big city problem.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 10, 2019

Study: Meeting Paris Agreement goals could avert hundreds of heat wave deaths

If global warming is limited to 2 degrees Celsius, up to 1,980 annual heat-related deaths could be avoided across 15 U.S. cities.

By Jason Plautz • June 10, 2019

Parks and greenspace must be part of any climate solution

Aside from reducing carbon pollution, cities must help people adapt to severe weather that is already affecting communities — especially the most vulnerable.

By Diane Regas • June 6, 2019

6 cities to participate in senior-focused community improvement program

Cities of Services' Experience Matters Program taps into expertise of people aged 50 and older to solve community problems that lead to poverty.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 6, 2019

Will full-blown 5G technology help or hinder disaster preparation?

Despite 5G's ability to enhance communication, satellite interference caused by 5G networks could lead to a 30% drop in hurricane tracking accuracy, according to the NOAA.

By Deborah Barrington • June 6, 2019

Toronto releases its first resilience strategy

The strategy aims to build on existing smart city efforts and provide a model for other coastal cities looking to respond to climate change. 

By Jason Plautz • June 5, 2019

Are cities the Green New Deal’s most viable frontier?

New York City and Los Angeles want to put a local spin on the national version — though the plans may be tricky to replicate.

By Chris Teale • June 3, 2019

Miami region releases collaborative resilience strategy

Resilient305 expands beyond climate issues to focus on cultivating financial stability and advancing public health priorities.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 31, 2019

Cincinnati chosen as next 'Beyond 34' city

The city aims to boost its recycling rate by adopting a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation initiative focused on environmental and economic benefits.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 30, 2019

Changing how we approach public safety in smart cities

If police departments maintain a laser focus on people, promises and trust, strategically deployed technology can be an integral tool in reaching the goals that matter most.

By Kevin Taylor • May 29, 2019

Santa Monica, CA passes $800M plan to go carbon neutral by 2050

The ambitious Climate Action & Adaptation Plan will force a "paradigm shift" in the city, said chief sustainability officer Dean Kubani. 

By Jason Plautz • May 29, 2019