New AI tool helps cities respond to shrinking urban canopy

The open-source model helps cities monitor vegetation loss in real time and plan smarter greenery investments based on population density and vulnerability.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • June 16, 2025

Walmart to expand drone delivery to 5 more cities

Customers in Atlanta, Houston and more will be able to tap into the technology by next year as part of the retailer's deepening collaboration with Wing.

By Max Garland • June 11, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Smart Cities Technology and Data

Cities are increasingly looking to technology and data to address real-world issues from traffic safety to law enforcement.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

How the Texas DOT uses AI

Artificial intelligence is helping traffic incident response and promises much more, department leaders said.

By Dan Zukowski • June 9, 2025

New York bets big on green economy with Brooklyn climate innovation hub

NYC and LA nonprofits expect BATWorks to nurture 150 cleantech startups, generate $2.6B in economic impact and create more than 600 green jobs.

By Danielle McLean • June 5, 2025

Harnessing Melissa location data to optimize city and county government operations

Accurate, accessible location data streamlines operations and enhances cost-effective county and city governance.

By Daniel Kha Le • June 2, 2025

With AI, post-tornado assessments could be ‘near-instantaneous’

Texas A&M researchers have developed a model that delivers comprehensive damage maps and recovery forecasts within hours of a storm.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 28, 2025

Innovative solutions to manage America’s invisible crisis: Water loss from aging infrastructure

Aging water infrastructure strains budgets, limits growth. The solution? AI technology + expertise.

By Peter Delgado • May 19, 2025

DoorDash, Wing bring drone delivery to Charlotte

Panera is among a handful of restaurants now offering drone delivery from a shopping center in the North Carolina city.

By Julie Littman • May 16, 2025

The 10 cities best prepared for a ‘smart city future’

A new city tops the ProptechOS Smart City Index in 2025 based on its tech infrastructure and connectivity, sustainability and tech job market. 

By Ryan Kushner • May 13, 2025

Behavior science, data could provide low-cost solutions to gun violence

The University of Chicago's Crime Lab director outlined resource-efficient strategies to enhance public safety in a recent webinar.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • April 17, 2025

Authorium steps into growing field of AI-supported government procurement products

Authorium's new AI tool was trained on 15 million government procurement documents and can generate statements of work “in minutes," the company says.

By Ryan Kushner • April 14, 2025

Glendale, CA turns to digital tech to help with composting mandate

Learn more about the education-first strategies that helped Glendale, CA reach thousands of residents with actionable waste and recycling information and education.

April 7, 2025

Nearly 3,000 city leaders gathered in Washington last week. Here’s what they had to say.

Mayors, council members and nonprofit leaders heard from Vice President JD Vance, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and others at the National League of Cities meeting.

By Dan Zukowski • March 21, 2025

City leaders name housing, public safety and infrastructure as top issues

The National League of Cities Congressional City Conference brought together 3,000 city leaders to discuss these issues, with appearances from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Vice President JD Vance.

By Dan Zukowski • March 18, 2025

California wildfire air pollution insights coming from air sensor network

Residents can track localized pollution, including particles from the wildfires that tore across Los Angeles in January, thanks to improvements in air quality sensor tech.

By Kalena Thomhave • March 10, 2025

From waste to snow: How Kansas City, MO, is improving operations across multiple fleets

Learn how Kansas City, MO, improves the efficiency, safety and agility of its snow operations.

March 10, 2025

Critical infrastructure at state, local levels at heightened risk of cyberattacks

State and local governments need additional resources, shared intelligence and coordination, an MS-ISAC report showed.

By David Jones • March 3, 2025

Which US cities are the most tech-ready? NYU has an answer.

A city’s habitability and its development of a technology sector are both factored into the Cities Emerging Technologies Index.

By Benton Graham • Feb. 21, 2025

Serve Robotics is coming to Miami

Serve will offer delivery through Uber Eats from Shake Shack and a local pizza chain in Brickell and Miami Beach, Florida. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 20, 2025

4 ways local governments are harnessing AI to transform operations

The technology could improve municipal efficiency, accuracy and service delivery — but implementation must address community and public-sector worker concerns.

By Jeff Green • Feb. 12, 2025

How Arlington County used AI to improve emergency preparedness

The Virginia county’s Department of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management worked with George Mason University researchers to develop AI-enhanced video games for skills-building.

By Lindsey Wilkinson • Feb. 5, 2025

The Smart Cities Outlook for 2025: Change is coming

From new federal policies to growing technologies like AI and robotaxis, cities will encounter many changes while they continue to tackle housing, homelessness, climate and equity issues.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Jan. 31, 2025

Tesla, Waymo will add more robotaxis to city streets

A more favorable federal regulatory and legislative environment may help propel the growth of driverless ride-hailing vehicles in the United States.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Feb. 27, 2025

Less grind, better results: AI makes government work better

Stanford’s Hoover Institution surveyed over 1,000 government employees and uncovered some eye-opening trends. Discover the surprising truth about AI in local government.

Jan. 27, 2025

Free incubator and accelerator empowers smart city growth

Smart Futures Lab empowers tech startups: $4.5M raised, 6 patents, 22 jobs—join the next cohort today!

Jan. 13, 2025