Study quantifies battery-electric bus environmental benefits

The study found that when averaging results from across the country, electric battery buses are 2.5 times cleaner in terms of lifecycle emissions than diesel buses.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 20, 2018

Toronto issues first green bond, joins food waste initiative

The two announcements fit into the city's ambitious sustainability goals to reduce GHG emissions to 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050.

By Jason Plautz • July 20, 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

Rubicon's smart waste tech is now available on AWS marketplace

This update speeds up the procurement process, giving city governments the ability to purchase the technology "with one click" by way of their existing AWS contracts.

By Kristin Musulin • July 18, 2018

Pew: Of largest US cities, Philadelphia has highest rate of disabled residents

The analysis shows a correlation between residents' rate of disabilities and living in poverty, which can lead to increases in cities' costs toward providing assistive programs.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 18, 2018

Boston consultants identify 19 initiatives to make it a 'zero waste' city

Organics collection, a SMART residential fee system, new commercial separation mandates and potential city-owned facilities are among the list of draft options being considered ahead of a fall plan.

By Cole Rosengren • July 18, 2018

Report details ‘bottom-up’ climate strategies for cities, states

The America’s Pledge report covers 10 opportunities for climate action, including expanding renewable energy and accelerating retirement of coal power.

By Jason Plautz • July 18, 2018

NYC submits voluntary sustainability report to UN

This is the first time a city has submitted such a report, a task that previously had only been done by entire nations in their Voluntary National Reviews.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 16, 2018

DC considering 100% renewable by 2032, but no carbon tax

A new measure could require 100% renewable energy, but some advocates are disappointed that the bill did not require a carbon tax.

By Robert Walton • July 16, 2018

Bill Gates’ proposed smart city could also be a water-constrained one

The plan for Belmont's construction should include an acknowledgement of and robust planning for Arizona's long-term water crisis.

By Gillan Taddune • July 13, 2018

Nation’s first electric double-decker buses arriving in Los Angeles

The Foothill Transit agency will add two buses next year for its downtown commuter line as part of an initiative to be fully electric by 2030.

By Chris Teale • July 12, 2018

5 cities finalize strategies to address inequity and inequality

Recent studies have cautioned of growing equity and equality disparities in communities throughout the U.S. and how that could have a destabilizing effect on cities.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 11, 2018

Denver partners with NRDC for new food waste plan

The city aims to significantly reduce residential food waste by 2030 through upstream reduction and expanded access to organics recycling.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 5, 2018

5 of the world's most eco-friendly building materials

A number of hidden factors, including the transportation involved and how they hold up in certain climates, contribute to materials' eco-friendliness. 

By Katie Pyzyk • July 2, 2018

Sierra Club: East Coast residents support modernizing regional transportation

The Transportation Modernization Survey shows the vast majority of people are concerned about pollution and support a plan to reduce it.

By Katie Pyzyk • July 2, 2018

'Beyond 34' report outlines ways to boost national recycling rate

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation initiative worked with Orlando as a test case, which has led to recommendations for other municipalities.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 26, 2018

REI deepens investment to 'rewild' 5 American cities

Since 2015, the outdoor retailer has donated $1.6 million to expand and develop water paddling, hiking and cycling in nature near urban areas.

By Daphne Howland , Chris Teale • June 26, 2018

Study: Sea level rise threatens 2.4M US homes

UCS found the hardest hit communities will be in Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey and North Carolina. But they didn't simply offer a doom and gloom report without hope for reversing the negative findings. 

By Katie Pyzyk • June 22, 2018

NewCities names Milan as 2019 Wellbeing City

Four other cities were also recognized in the categories of community, public health, sustainable environment and economy and opportunity.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated May 22, 2019

Montgomery, AL enters 3-year smart waste partnership with Rubicon

The technology will provide data on vehicle patterns and routing to help the city's sanitation department improve efficiency and customer service.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated July 17, 2019

Geotab's new website unlocks key infrastructure datasets

More than 1 million commercial vehicles are equipped with Geotab telematics, leveraging billions of data points to help visualize challenges, like congestion and poor road conditions, and develop solutions.

By Kristin Musulin • June 19, 2018

6 local, state governments to receive Government Performance Lab assistance

The pro bono work will use data-driven methods to tackle unemployment, homelessness and child welfare issues.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 18, 2018

Exploring smart cities through the lens of female leaders

Only 19 of the 100 largest U.S. cities are led by female mayors. Panelists at the Women in Smart Cities Forum want that to change.

By Kristin Musulin • June 14, 2018

DC to kick off federal census of its urban forest

The count will allow city officials to assess the state of the tree canopy and identify areas for growth and any pests that will need removal.

By Chris Teale • June 14, 2018

Panelists: More cities are tackling national, global issues

During the Chicago Forum on Global Cities, leaders navigated the topics of climate change, trade and immigration policies in a sea change from just a few years ago.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 13, 2018

Avoiding solo cities: The benefits of tackling problems as a unified metro region

Collaborating with nearby jurisdictions creates economy of scale and better odds for success, panelists said at the recent Chicago Forum on Global Cities.

By Katie Pyzyk • June 12, 2018