Smart Cities Dive

Colorado Governor Vetoes Affordable Housing Bill
The bill would have given cities the right of first refusal when multifamily housing projects come up for sale if the city wants to preserve them as affordable housing.

Amtrak Calls for Expansion, Citing Close to 100 Requests for New Lines
The agency told a House committee it has received more than 90 applications for new intercity rail lines from cities around the country.

Report: Austin’s State Roads Deadlier Than City Roads
Traffic fatalities and serious injuries grew on state-owned roads in the Texas capital, even as city-owned streets saw death rates plateau.

GAO: Reconnecting Communities Lacks Clear Goals and Metrics
The program, aimed at supporting highway removals and other projects that work to reverse the impacts of freeway construction, is light on accountability and performance measures, according to a new report.

How Small Cities Can Prepare for Extreme Heat
Without the resources of larger cities, towns with fewer resources can still work to coordinate efforts across agencies and plan for heat events early in the year.

Micromobility Plus Transit Equals Jobs
Linking micromobility options to public transit can improve job acessibility, new research finds.

New Federal Program To Support Services for Unhoused Residents
The ‘ALL INside’ initiative selected five cities and one state—California—for its inaugural efforts to offer assistance to homelessness services and help local agencies access federal funding and resources.

FHWA Issues New Pedestrian, Bike, Micromobility Guidance
The updated federal guidelines incorporate new policies created in the 2021 infrastructure law.

U.S. Rent Growth Slows, but Keeps Rising
The pace of rent growth is slowing, but U.S. renters still face growing housing costs in most metro areas.

Report: West Coast Must Come to Terms With Managed Retreat
As sea levels rise, experts say coastal communities have to overcome their resistance to managed retreat and plan for relocation.

Report: Racial Gap in Traffic Deaths Persists
Communities of color have significantly higher rates of traffic fatalities, according to federal research.

Report: Poor Access to Transportation Linked to Missed Healthcare
One in five Americans with limited access to transit and no vehicle have to forego medical appointments.

U.S. Road Deaths Keep Rising
Traffic safety advocates urge cities and states to lower speed limits and improve pedestrian infrastructure to stem the growth in traffic deaths and injuries.

Chicago’s Greyhound Station Could Close
The terminal, sold last year, is the only intercity bus station in the city, serving hundreds of thousands of mostly low-income travelers each year.

Regional Leaders Call for Expanded Amtrak Service
City leaders and transportation officials met to discuss their wish lists for intercity rail service.

FTA Announces Disaster Relief Funding for Transit
A $212 million program is aimed at helping transit agencies and cities affected by flooding, hurricanes, fires, and other disasters maintain transit operations and boost the resilience of their systems.

Planners Look to ‘Activity Centers’ for Sustainable Development
Existing hubs of ‘hyperlocal’ economic activity provide a model for urban density.

Chicago Approves New Parking Enforcement Pilot Programs
The city plans to test automated technology that will issue citations for blocking or parking in designated bike or bus lanes.

FTA Waives Local Funding Match for Complete Streets Projects
Local and state agencies can apply for federal Complete Streets funding without matching funds until 2026.

White House Budget Proposal Includes Over $175 Billion for Housing
The proposed budget seeks to expand the housing voucher program, incentivize housing production, and promote zoning reform, but will likely face strong opposition from congressional Republicans.
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