Smart Columbus Program

COTA Bus

Lessons from the Smart Columbus Pilot Program

The former program manager for Smart Columbus discusses the successes, challenges, and unexpected opportunities encountered by the city as it worked to integrate technology into city services and programs.

October 19, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

Bikeshare and murals

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.

July 7, 2021 - Wired

Downtown Columbus

'Smart Columbus Operation System' Looking for Developers

"Smart City" plans for the city of Columbus are taking shape.

February 7, 2018 - Smart Cities Dive

CoGo Bikeshare

Columbus Just Changed its 'Smart City' Plan

The original plan earned the city a highly competitive $40 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

November 22, 2017 - Smart Cities Dive

Electric Car Charging

First 'Smart Cities' Grant-Enabled Hardware Online in Columbus

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.

September 8, 2017 - Columbus Business First

Columbus, Ohio skyline reflected in the Scioto River

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.

July 24, 2016 - Grist

Ohio State

Breaking: Columbus Wins $50 Million 'Smart Cities Challenge' Grant

The U.S. Department of Transportation has revealed the winner of a hotly-contested and widely-reported competitive grant funding opportunity.

June 21, 2016 - Columbus Dispatch

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.