Smart Cities

Tech Company Makes Case to Run a Local Government

A Nevada commission is studying the concept. But an executive a cryptocurrency firm says its plans for an "innovation zone" won't work inside an existing county.

  • By Andrea Noble

Cities Embraced Technology During Covid But Still Lack Comprehensive Digital Policies

A white paper identifies gaps in technology governance in cities, including problems with accessibility, digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Algorithm Could Improve How Self-Driving Cars Take on Narrow Streets

Researchers have created a new algorithm that could help self-driving cars get around on narrow, crowded streets.

  • By Aaron Aupperlee, Futurity

The US Cities 'Taking Bold Steps’ to Tackle the Most Pressing Challenges

Bloomberg Philanthropies selected 50 cities worldwide, including 14 here, as Bloomberg Mayors Challenge finalists for their innovative problem-solving ideas.

  • By Brent Woodie

Cities Are Looking to Get Better Community Engagement By Paying for It

Compensating community members is just a part of what is called the co-design process, where project managers get to know the people, their lived experiences, and their values, to devise solutions.

  • By Henry Pan, Next City

The Riskiest ‘Smart City’ Technologies, According to Cybersecurity Experts

Technology like sensors built into infrastructure and emergency alerts has possible benefits, but in a new study dozens of experts weigh in on where some of the more significant pitfalls may lie.

  • By Bill Lucia

Tech Alone Isn’t Enough to Create a Successful Smart City

COMMENTARY | Technological investments aren’t enough to create successful smart cities. Cities must also deploy initiatives to navigate complex social and organizational processes.

  • By Jared Mondschein, Aaron Clark-Ginsberg and Andreas Kuehn

The Smart City Journey: 5 Key Steps to Success

COMMENTARY | The path to becoming a smart city is eased by incorporating a few important steps into your planning.

  • By Patti Zullo

Smart Concrete Could Pave the Way for High-Tech, Cost-Effective Roads

COMMENTARY | The life of structures could be extended, however, if damages were monitored in real time and fixed early on.

  • By Luna Lu and Vishal Saravade, The Conversation

The Urban Future is Carless

COMMENTARY | As cities consider what a post-pandemic environment looks like, micromobility devices can help reduce reliance on cars, make streets safer and be more environmentally friendly.

  • By Maurice Henderson

The Nation's Marquee 'Smart City' Program Continues to Evolve

Experts and people involved in the Columbus, Ohio project say it provides a chance for the city and others to learn more about what works and what doesn't with emerging transportation technology.

  • By Bill Lucia

One City Rejected a Policing Algorithm. Could It Be Used For Other Purposes?

In Pittsburgh, an algorithm that deployed law enforcement officers to predicted crime “hot spots” might be repurposed to send social services to areas in need instead.

  • By Emma Coleman
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Word Count Program Helps Expand Early Childhood Language Exposure

The Providence Talks program expanded to five cities, where educators are working with parents to increase the number of words per day that their children hear.

  • By Andrea Noble

Study: More than Half of Americans Trust Law Enforcement to Use Facial Recognition Responsibly

Pew Research Center’s study is the latest to conclude Americans are growing more comfortable with having their faces scanned.

  • By Frank R. Konkel

When Street Lights Do More Than Illuminate a City

New York cities plan to deploy smart technology, from optic scanners to weather sensors, when they retrofit street lights to make them more energy efficient.

  • By Andrea Noble

Smart Cities Can Get Smarter in Protecting Residents

COMMENTARY | As cities and residents race to become more connected, we must consider how to protect public and private digital property.

  • By John Michelsen

What Self-Driving Cars Mean For Seniors and the Suburbs

The U.S. Conference of Mayors vice president focuses on getting his community excited for the “human aspect” of the disruptive technology.

  • By Mitch Herckis

Big Tech Must Help Cities Bridge The Divide

COMMENTARY | The two should view each other as "co-creators, sharing tools and information," according to the head of Bloomberg Philanthropies' What Works Cities.

  • By Simone Brody

Sharing as a Solution in Cities with Limited Resources

COMMENTARY | Car sharing, the gig economy and vehicle electrification are all colliding in Austin. The result is lower emissions and economic opportunities.

  • By Steve Adler and Alex Keros

Government Needs An ‘Ethical Framework’ to Tackle Emerging Technology

At SXSW, a beacon of technology idealism, mayors discuss how to deal with the difficult problems that can come with new tech.

  • By Mitch Herckis

A Startup Wants to Turn Your City’s Trash Into a Heap of Big Data

One company hopes to create an “Internet of Garbage,” with the promise to bring better logistics to municipal waste.

  • By Mitch Herckis