Columbus has spent the first year since its selection as the $50 million Smart Cities Challenge grant recipient devoted to planning and research. The grant has also proven a very enticing fundraising tool.
"Solar-powered electric vehicle and device charging stations – free to the public – fired up Wednesday at Ohio Dominican University in the first equipment installed under Smart Columbus," reports Carrie Ghose.
"DC Solar Freedom Inc. donated $3.6 million in solar equipment to the campus on the east side of Columbus, and is seeking sites for similar stations including the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and other colleges," adds Ghose.
The donation by DC Solar Freedom is only one example of private investment and donations to arrive in Columbus since it was selected for the Smart Cities Challenge grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation—so far the city has raked in $500 million.
FULL STORY: Smart City Columbus debuts first hardware for public use at Ohio Dominican
Five Years Later, 'Smart Cities Challenge' Promise Unfulfilled
The "Smart Cities Challenge" paid Columbus, Ohio $50 million to kick start a revolution of urban technology. The revolution never arrived, according to a recent assessment by Wired writer Aarian Marshall.
'Smart Columbus Operation System' Looking for Developers
"Smart City" plans for the city of Columbus are taking shape.
Critics Pushing Back on Columbus' Vision of a 'Smart City'
Not everyone is buying in to the city of Columbus' vision for the future of transportation.
Downtown Los Angeles Park Wins National Award
Vista Hermosa Natural Park, designed by the landscape architecture firm Studio-MLA, has won the ASLA 2023 Landmark Award. Completed in 2008, Vista Hermosa was the first public park built in downtown L.A. in over 100 years.
Norman, Oklahoma Eliminates Parking Mandates
The city made a subtle, one-word change that frees up developers to build parking based on actual need and eliminates costly unnecessary parking.
Boston Transit Riders Report Safety Concerns
Almost three-quarters of current and former riders report feeling unsafe while using MBTA services.
Prioritizing Equity in Federal Transit Funding
TransitCenter recommends several transit capital projects deserving of federal transportation dollars.
California Housing Bills Streamline Affordable Housing
A series of current and proposed bills are paving the way for more affordable housing production in the state, where environmental laws are often deployed to delay or block new development.
Growing Pains in Northwest Arkansas
Like other small communities suddenly made popular during the Covid-19 pandemic, the region is struggling to maange its explosive growth.
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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.
