Chicago IT department doesn’t adhere to best practices: audit

Projects cost more, take more time and don't provide the promised public benefits without the right processes in place, the audit says.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 2, 2020

7 trends that will define smart cities in 2020

Cities are primed for big transformation, including scooter company consolidation, car-free zone planning and increased flying car investments.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 2, 2020

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

Facial recognition tech misidentifies people of color up to 100x more than white faces: report

The National Institute of Standards and Technology assessed software algorithms from 99 developers, including tech giants like Intel and Microsoft.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 23, 2019

Personal safety is a global problem, and we need tech to solve it

Personal safety is a life or death issue that has largely gone unaddressed. We can create and leverage technology to serve as our ally, just as we do in every other part of our lives.

By Anthony Oyogoa, Ruma Patel • Dec. 23, 2019

San Diego faces lawsuit over streetlight data collection

San Diegans for Open Government accuses the city of violating California's open record laws by not releasing data collected through its streetlight program.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 19, 2019

Why should social services be excited about automation? Hint: an end to mundane, repetitive work

Why should social services be excited about automation? Hint: an end to mundane, repetitive work

By Leah Dienger • Dec. 17, 2019

Philadelphia’s first ‘Pitch & Pilot’ seeks tech to reduce waste

The initiative is part of a strategy to improve government services with private sector partnerships and community engagement, rather than a top-down approach. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 17, 2019

New Orleans cyberattack has cost city $7.2M

Officials said last week that it could take up to eight months to recover from the December cyberattack, and the costs will likely climb.

By Chris Teale • Updated Jan. 21, 2020

AT&T's 5G network goes live in 10 cities

All four major U.S. telecom companies — AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon — have made pledges to roll out nationwide 5G next year.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 16, 2019

San Francisco to amend facial recognition ban

The amendment, which would allow city employees to use Apple devices with the FACE ID unlocking feature, proves how difficult it can be for cities to enforce such bans. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 12, 2019

Mobility Data Consortium unveils data-sharing guidelines, definitions

MDC released two documents: one with guidelines for data-sharing governance, and another with a glossary of data-sharing terms and metrics.

By Chris Teale • Updated May 5, 2020

5 cities home to 90% of tech job growth: report

Further concentration would hinder the income growth, job opportunities and economic inclusion of millions, according to a Brookings Institution report. 

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 10, 2019

The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2019

From Sidewalk Labs' disruptive, futuristic smart city to the climate strategy in Calgary, Alberta, these are the leading cities, officials and initiatives of the year.

Dec. 9, 2019

Disruptor of the Year: Sidewalk Labs

Alphabet-owned Sidewalk Labs is disrupting today's urban pain points with innovative, controversial solutions for its proposed futuristic smart city. 

By Cailin Crowe • Dec. 9, 2019

FCC announces $9B fund for rural 5G deployment

The fund will help bridge the digital divide, but rural areas likely won't see the same speeds as cities without "more stringent" FCC oversight, one expert said.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 6, 2019

May Mobility finds 'sweet spot' for autonomous shuttle success

The TaaS provider closed a $50 million funding round led by Toyota, marking growth and expansion at a time when competitors are struggling.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 6, 2019

Portland, OR passes nation's strictest facial recognition ban

The ban will prohibit use of the tech in public and private spheres, marking the country's first ban for businesses like stores, airlines and event venues.

By Jason Plautz , Kristin Musulin • Updated Sept. 10, 2020

Lime, Bird, Bolt, Razor lose appeals to operate in DC

The operators will pull their scooters from the District on April 1. Scooters from Lyft, Skip, Spin and Jump will remain in the city under 2020 program terms.

By Cailin Crowe • Updated Feb. 28, 2020

Tech talent skips coastal hubs for Austin, TX

With a growing reputation as a tech hub, technology adds $141.8 billion to Texas' economy annually.

By Samantha Schwartz • Dec. 4, 2019

5 US cities named hyperconnected 'leaders': report

The ESI ThoughtLab study concludes that unlocking full ROI from technology will require cities to "morph into hyperconnected urban centers." 

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 2, 2019

Data is driving our future and local governments aren't prepared

Even as more municipal leaders realize the need for serious data strategy in city planning, there’s a conspicuous lack of action toward making the necessary changes.

By Ben Ziomek • Dec. 2, 2019

Amazon Web Services names 2019 ‘City on a Cloud’ winners

The 18 winners will be awarded up to $20,000 in promotional credits, up to $20,000 in financial support and up to five employee AWS training vouchers.

By Chris Teale • Updated Dec. 5, 2019

Sidewalk Labs wants out of Google’s data-collection shadow

Following the release of its digital innovation appendix, the company's head of urban systems explained the challenges of innovating the real estate sector.

By Kristin Musulin • Nov. 21, 2019

Smart city growth to depend on data governance: PwC report

The report outlines a "seven layer model" to data management: categories, consent, collection, anonymization, storage, access and monetization.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 21, 2019

NYC's new algorithm management position to oversee equitable use of tech

The Algorithms Management and Policy Officer position will be a central resource to help city agencies with policies related to algorithms and related tech. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 21, 2019