Steve Lohr profiles New York University's Center for Urban Science and Progress, which is beginning to generate dividends in its study, and application of, smart city technology.
The Center for Urban Science and Progress "is part of a broader trend: the global drive to apply modern sensor, computing and data-sifting technologies to urban environments, in what has become known as 'smart city' technology," explains Lohr. "The goals are big gains in efficiency and quality of life by using digital technology to better manage traffic and curb the consumption of water and electricity, for example."
“'The Smart City movement,' according to a report this month from IDC, a technology research firm, 'is emerging and growing as a significant force of innovation and investment at all levels of government.' The N.Y.U. center’s partners include technology companies like I.B.M., Cisco Systems and Xerox, as well as universities and the New York City government."
This partnership has already proven fruitful for the City of New York, who've received assistance in tackling illegal conversions. Guided by data predictions from the N.Y.U. team, city building inspectors were able to increase their discovery of high-risk conditions from 13 percent of visits to 70 percent.
Next up for the team: noise, "[t]he largest single cause of complaints to New York’s 311 phone and online service."
FULL STORY: SimCity, for Real: Measuring an Untidy Metropolis

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure
After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?
In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure
New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions