Deloitte: When planning a smart city, weigh funding vs. financing

By developing an innovative funding strategy using a hybrid of public funding and private financing options, smart tech projects can be more properly supported.

By Kristin Musulin • June 4, 2018

Boston launches initiative to make city, transit stops more playful

"Playful Boston" will test how spaces and interventions could impact community interactions and civic engagement.

By Jason Plautz • June 4, 2018

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

Bloomberg Philanthropies launches $70M American Cities Climate Challenge

The announcement comes exactly one year after President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, spurring local governments to pursue climate action despite disengagement from the federal government. 

By Kristin Musulin • June 1, 2018

Recent floods overshadow ongoing mitigation projects in Ellicott City, MD

After significant investment following 2016 floods where only 30% of recovery efforts had been completed, the city has once again been devastated by the latest storms. 

By Chris Teale • May 30, 2018

Report: Most large US cities earn high marks for public health policies

The CityHealth initiative explored nine policy areas, including affordable housing, Complete Streets and pre-K, in the 40 largest U.S. cities.

By Chris Teale • May 25, 2018

US Census: Texas is home to some of the nation’s fastest-growing cities

Outside of Texas, the top population gains were in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Seattle and Charlotte, NC.

By Jason Plautz • May 25, 2018

New York MTA unveils subway repair plan on sped-up timeline

The proposal is a serious acceleration of goals laid out in last summer’s $800 million emergency rescue package, which had a 50-year time frame for repair goals.

By Jason Plautz • May 24, 2018

Pittsburgh sets goal of 50% energy reduction in revised climate plan

Behind local leadership and strong public support, the plan also calls for the city to turn its operations to 100% renewable energy and to adopt a 100% fossil fuel-free vehicle fleet. 

By Jason Plautz • May 24, 2018

Bloomberg invests $42M in What Works Cities; decries 'alternative facts'

In the organization's annual report, founder Michael Bloomberg wrote an open letter on philanthropy and said cities are "leading where Washington won't."

By Kristin Musulin • May 24, 2018

Report: Spending on urban parks increased in 2018, but more access needed

The Trust For Public Land found that cities spent $7.5 billion on parks in 2018, while 70% of U.S. residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.

By Chris Teale • May 23, 2018

C40 Cities launches global food waste management 'guide'

The report, co-authored with the World Biogas Association, outlines the sources and impact of food waste and an overview of treatment technologies for city leaders.

By Kristin Musulin • May 18, 2018

UN: 68% of the global population will live in cities by 2050

Of the urban growth, the U.N. projects that 90% will happen in Asia and Africa, particularly India, China and Nigeria. 

By Jason Plautz • May 18, 2018

Siemens: Los Angeles must transform energy, transit systems to hit sustainability goals

The report calls for the city to move to 100% renewable electricity and 45% passenger travel by transit and active transport by 2050.

By Kristin Musulin • May 17, 2018

Atlanta mayor says cyberattack came as 'surprise' to city, residents

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said her constituents had not viewed cybersecurity as vital until the ransomware impacted their interactions with government.

By Chris Teale • May 11, 2018

USDA Forest Service: Cities losing 36M trees a year

A study found that urban tree canopies declined in 45 states, and researchers warned of the environmental effects of continued losses.

By Chris Teale • May 11, 2018

San Francisco to install smart trash receptacles citywide

Each Bigbelly container is solar powered, is equipped with an automatic compactor and has technology that alerts collectors when it is full. 

By Kristin Musulin • May 11, 2018

DC approves bill to incentivize residential composting

The Residential Composting Incentives Amendment Act of 2017 establishes a rebate of up to $75 for residents who install a home composting or vermicomposting system.

By Cathy Plume • May 8, 2018

Environmental group calls on cities to accelerate electric school bus adoption

A report urges a quicker move away from diesel vehicles, which contribute to greater emissions but are half as expensive as greener alternatives.

By Chris Teale • May 7, 2018

Gates Foundation commits $158M to fight US poverty

The funding will support the plethora of groups that already exist to break down barriers to economic opportunity.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 7, 2018

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel: ‘Government’s got to get where the private sector is’

The mayors of Chicago and Tulsa, OK took to the stage during a recent Axios event to discuss education, inclusion and modernizing city services.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 2, 2018

Waste tech company expands smart cities program to more than 20 locations

Rubicon's residential ambitions are coming into focus, with plans to start competing for collection contracts via its independent hauling partners.

By Cole Rosengren • April 30, 2018

EPA grants $54.3M for brownfields cleanup

The funding will cover communities' contaminated site cleanups and redevelopment.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 28, 2018

New York’s P3-centric department aims to tackle inequity

The public-private partnerships have improved underserved residents' access to education, health and housing programs.

By Katie Pyzyk • April 27, 2018

Waste industry expert: 'Pay-as-you-throw' is the top thing your city can do for GHG reduction

Mark Dancy, president of the consulting group Waste Zero, shared insights on PAYT and how city officials can implement programs.

By Cody Boteler • April 26, 2018

With recovery costs reaching nearly $2.7M, should Atlanta have paid the ransomware demand?

The recovery costs were more than 50 times the $51,000 demand to unlock Atlanta's technical infrastructure.

By Samantha Schwartz • April 24, 2018