What US cities could look like in 2024: 6 predictions

Safer, greener communities with more housing, greater civic participation, and diversified downtowns are what these experts envision for the coming year.

By the Smart Cities Dive Team • Jan. 2, 2024

Cities: Our time is now

In recent years, cities have faced myriad challenges. Technological advancements in government operations and significant federal investment into cities are driving transformative change.

Dec. 18, 2023

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

GM’s Cruise dismisses 9 top executives amid robotaxi safety probes

The autonomous vehicle company believes new leadership is key to rebuilding trust after one of its robotaxis hit a pedestrian in October, according to a company memo viewed by Reuters.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 15, 2023

‘If we want smart cities, we have to give them data,’ IoT expert says

Yale faculty member and AI, machine learning and IoT expert Andrei Khurshudov discusses the issue of privacy in smart cities and how AI can play a role in decision-making.

By Paige Gross • Dec. 15, 2023

Ford, Resideo to study how EVs can power homes

The automaker and smart home product company will test how Ford’s future electric vehicle batteries can reduce home energy costs.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 12, 2023

Smart city collaborations: Lessons from North Carolina’s Research Triangle

Tips on building trust, starting small and more from speakers at a recent summit, including a Dell Technologies industry workflow specialist and North Carolina State University’s director of cybersecurity practice.

By Paige Gross • Dec. 8, 2023

Authorities raise alarm on cyber threats against water, other critical sectors

Hackers affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are behind a series of attacks targeting devices used in U.S. water and wastewater facilities, according to federal agencies.

By David Jones • Dec. 5, 2023

What’s top of mind for New York’s first customer experience officer

About a month into the job, Tonya Webster discussed her priorities and how she plans to overcome siloed agency processes.

By Kristen Doerer • Nov. 22, 2023

Cruise CEO resigns amid safety probes into company’s robotaxis

The company’s robotaxi fleet remains grounded in California after one of the vehicles struck a pedestrian in downtown San Francisco in early October.

By Eric Walz • Nov. 21, 2023

Data sharing that drives value creation will advance the global smart society

It’s important to recognize the magnitude and scope of what is involved in developing and implementing technologies and systems to perform and capitalize on this data sharing at a city level, let alone a global one.

Nov. 20, 2023

Generative AI is here. This is how 5 cities plan to manage its use.

Guidelines aim to help government employees navigate the use of generative artificial intelligence tools while maintaining privacy, ethics and city values.

By Paige Gross • Nov. 16, 2023

3 steps for getting urban innovation pilots out of ‘purgatory’

A road map for New York City recommends taking a “challenge-based” approach to procurement and beefing up startup infrastructure.

By Paige Gross • Nov. 15, 2023

Billionaire-planned smart cities in the US: What’s the latest?

To date, most of these grand plans have made little progress and face scrutiny from residents, local governments and states.

By Adina Solomon • Nov. 13, 2023

GM halts production of the Cruise Origin robotaxi

The decision follows California regulators ordering Cruise to cease operations after a pedestrian was struck by one of its self-driving vehicles in downtown San Francisco.

By Eric Walz • Nov. 9, 2023

How cities can decarbonize delivery in the era of online orders

A new action guide by the National League of Cities points to emerging policies and technologies to combat increasing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 1, 2023

Legal fights over air taxi regulation stand in the industry’s way

The technology is largely there for short-haul urban rides to become a reality, but uncertainty over governing jurisdictions is one of the issues keeping the industry grounded.

By Ramona Dzinkowski • Oct. 30, 2023

Cruise recalls driverless robotaxis after halting operations in 3 cities

The General Motors subsidiary is grappling with two federal investigations and a recent incident in which one of its cars left a pedestrian seriously injured.

By Dan Zukowski • Updated Nov. 8, 2023

Is Phoenix’s construction market hot? It depends on who you ask.

With few natural disaster risks, a stable climate and business-friendly practices, the Arizona metropolis has experienced a burst in industrial building.

By Matthew Thibault • Oct. 26, 2023

Why payments to government agencies should be easier

“Increasingly, government agencies — and the people they serve — need a payments system that is connected across departments and jurisdictions,” writes one payments executive.

By Sloane Wright • Oct. 25, 2023

California suspends Cruise robotaxis for misrepresenting safety

The General Motors subsidiary withheld portions of a video showing a recent incident that left a pedestrian severely injured, the state DMV said.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 25, 2023

31 ‘tech hubs’ unveiled by Biden administration

The federal government is betting on the hubs to transform into globally competitive innovation centers. Phase 2 of the initiative — a competition for millions of federal dollars to implement local plans — starts now.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 24, 2023

Cities reap benefits from ‘intelligent transportation systems,’ but challenges remain

Technologies that can improve traffic flow and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists need "sustained funding and leadership," local and state officials told the Government Accountability Office.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 20, 2023

Washington, DC’s ban on cashless businesses, explained

As contactless, digital and card transactions become more common, the district has joined state and local governments preserving residents' right to pay cash.

By Paige Gross • Oct. 19, 2023

Cruise faces federal investigation after driverless robotaxi severely injures pedestrian

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating four incidents involving autonomous Cruise vehicles and pedestrians in San Francisco.

By Dan Zukowski • Oct. 17, 2023

DOE selects 7 hydrogen hubs for $7B funding opportunity

The selection of several hubs focused on hydrogen production from fossil fuels and carbon capture drew the ire of environmental groups.

By Emma Penrod • Oct. 16, 2023