How Technology, Collaboration and Public-Private Partnerships Are Transforming Urban Security When Maria Sumnicht arrived at the newly formed New York City Cyber Command in 2018, she inherited a problem nobody could fully describe. City agencies, more than 60 of them, had spent years connecting sensors, cameras, transponders, and access points to municipal networks with little coordination and less oversight. Nobody knew how many devices were out there. Nobody knew who had installed them, whether they were still supported, or whether they had ever been tested for basic security flaws. "It was the wild, wild west," Sumnicht said. "Everyone was just bringing in whatever they needed, putting it on their networks, and really not thinking about the cyber hygiene behind the solution." What Sumnicht and her team built from that starting point, a proactive endpoint security program that would go on to uncover 159 previously unknown vulnerabilities, offers a blueprint for how American cities are rethinking what it means to be smart. The lesson isn't just about better sensors or faster analytics. It's about resilience, and about who cities trust to help build it. From Connected to Resilient For most of the past decade, the smart city conversation centered on connectivity and efficiency: traffic sensors, digital kiosks, cashless parking. That conversation has shifted. Cities today are contending with violent crime, cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, severe weather, civil unrest and geopolitical instability, often at the same time. Technology alone can't solve that. What's emerging instead is a model some in the industry call Safe Cities 2.0, where public agencies, private security leaders, utilities, transportation authorities and technology providers share data and coordinate response rather than operating in isolation. The trajectory is fairly clear: Smart City 1.0 was about efficiency and automation. Smart City 2.0, where most major cities sit today, is about
Sep 3, 2026 · via securityinfowatch.com
The Smart City Security Imperative: Lessons from New York's IoT Cyber Defense Program Key Highlights - Urban centers are vital to national prosperity but face increasing threats from physical and cyber attacks targeting infrastructure and IoT devices. - NYC Cyber Command developed a ground-up cybersecurity program to inventory, monitor, and secure IoT and smart building systems across the city, overcoming legal and cultural barriers. - Municipalities must adopt comprehensive strategies that include risk assessments, standardized procurement, and automated device inventories to safeguard against cyber-physical threats. - Advanced mobile endpoints like autonomous maritime vessels introduce new security challenges, requiring specialized protections such as data encryption and tamper-resistant sensors. - Despite existing federal and state guidelines, many cities lack coordinated efforts and sufficient budgets to implement effective IoT cybersecurity measures, leaving critical infrastructure vulnerable. The top 30 cities in America are home to approximately 60 million people. American cities are the backbone of our nation’s prosperity, economic stability, cultural diversity and public safety. However, our cities remain highly vulnerable to multiple threats, including, but not limited to, physical attacks on key municipal infrastructure; geomagnetic storms (GMDs); electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) from high-altitude nuclear detonations; suitcase nukes; locally generated pulses from high-powered microwave weapons; and cyberattacks, both domestic and foreign. This article focuses on the strategy and program implemented by the City of New York Cyber Command to secure the world’s largest footprint of endpoint technology (Internet of Things – IoT) and smart building automation systems. The City of New York faced a massive problem: City Agencies were deploying unvetted IoT Endpoint Technology and connecting it to New York City networks and critical infrastructure, exponentially increasing the threat landscape. Coupled with the unknown fact that NYC had no idea how many IoT devices had been deployed across the five Boroughs. The problem seemed to
Sep 3, 2026 · via securityinfowatch.com
Robotaxi Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Vehicle Type (Passenger Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Autonomous Shuttles, Commercial Autonomous Vehicles), By Level of Automation (Level 3 Autonomous Vehicles, Level 4 Autonomous Vehicles, Level 5 Autonomous Vehicles), By Service Type (Ride-Hailing Services, Subscription-Based Autonomous Mobility Services, Fleet-Based Transportation Services, Others), By Application (Urban Transportation, Airport Transportation, Last-Mile Mobility, Corporate and Campus Transportation, Others) and By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2026-2034 Robotaxi Market Size & Growth Analysis The global robotaxi market size was valued at USD 1.20 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 1.63 billion in 2026 to USD 18.97 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 35.9% during the forecast period (2026–2034). North America dominated the robotaxi market with a market share of 46.8% in 2025. A robotaxi is an autonomous transportation service that uses self-driving vehicles equipped with artificial intelligence, LiDAR, cameras, radar sensors, and autonomous driving software to provide driverless passenger mobility. These services are operated through autonomous fleet platforms and digital ride-hailing applications across urban transportation networks, airport mobility, and on-demand commuting services. The robotaxi market demand is driven by increasing investments in autonomous driving technologies, rising demand for safer urban mobility solutions, and growing adoption of mobility-as-a-service platforms. The expansion of autonomous vehicle testing programs, regulatory approvals, and commercial deployments by technology and automotive companies are accelerating adoption, driving robotaxi market growth. Robotaxi Market Key Takeaways - The North America robotaxi market accounted for a dominant share of 46.8% in 2025. - The Asia Pacific robotaxi market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 39.6% during the forecast period. - By vehicle type, the passenger vehicle segment accounted for a share of 82.6% in 2025. - By level of automation, the Level 5
Sep 3, 2026 · via straitsresearch.com
[category] [title] The annual IMD Smart City Index has revealed the world’s “smartest” cities for 2026, and Sydney has climbed 10 places to land at number 22 It turns out, Sydney isn’t just a pretty face. The annual IMD Smart City Index has revealed the world’s “smartest” cities for 2026, and the Harbour City has climbed ten places to land at a solid number 22. Wondering how we got there? The annual global index ranks cities according to how effectively they use technology to improve everyday life and tackle the big urban headaches, from traffic and housing to public safety and sustainability. Rather than counting robots or tech billionaires, the rankings are largely shaped by how residents themselves feel about the infrastructure, services and technology available in their city. We’ve got a feeling our shiny new metro system might have something to do with our recent jump. In this year’s rankings, the Harbour City jumped from 32nd place in 2025 to 22nd out of 148 cities this year, earning an overall A rating. Sydney scored particularly strongly for the technology available to residents, receiving an AA rating for its technology factor, while its infrastructure and structures received an A. So, what exactly is Sydney doing right? Residents gave particularly positive feedback on the city’s digital services and connectivity. The report found strong support for free public Wi-Fi improving access to city services, while Sydney also scored well for technology that helps residents feel safer, online tools that make it easier to start a business and internet speeds that meet everyday connectivity needs. But before we get too smug, the results also revealed a handful of Sydney-shaped problems. When survey respondents were asked to nominate the issues they considered most urgent for the city, affordable housing was the runaway number-one concern,
Sep 3, 2026 · via timeout.com
The national panic over data centers could create an enormous opportunity for communities willing to take the other side of the argument. Quincy, Washington, is highlighted here as an example of a community where data center tax revenue has been associated with major public investments, including schools, health care facilities, and recreation. West Virginia is considering a different approach, using a portion of future data center revenue as part of an effort to reduce personal income taxes. President Donald Trump’s argument is straightforward: communities should want the investment, jobs, and tax revenue associated with data centers. Critics, including Republicans and Democrats, continue raising concerns about electricity, water, noise, infrastructure, and development. Those concerns deserve actual rules and guardrails. But communities should also recognize the negotiating opportunity created when everybody else is running away. If a data center wants into your community, make it pay its own way. Protect taxpayers, infrastructure, neighborhoods, water, and the electrical grid. Then negotiate the best possible deal for the people who already live there. While everybody else is panicking, somebody is going to take advantage of the opportunity. Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.
Sep 3, 2026 · via yellowhammernews.com
According to the UN, at least 55% of the world’s population lives in urban areas today. In the United States, that number rises to around 80% living in urbanized areas with 5,000+ residents. This number will continue rising, with projections reaching 89% by 2050. Smart city security systems have emerged in recent years, combining physical and digital technologies to match that growth. This article explains how cities link video surveillance, AI analytics, IoT sensors, access control and emergency notification tools into one system to detect threats, protect critical infrastructure and keep services running. Key Takeaways - Smart city security connects video, sensors, access control, AI analytics and emergency tools into one system to protect critical infrastructure and public safety. - Cities are moving from reactive incident response to proactive prevention using AI, IoT sensors and automated security workflows that can trigger alerts and lockdowns in seconds of detecting a visible weapon. - Integrated systems improve operational efficiency by coordinating transportation, utilities and law enforcement through shared real-time data feeds and unified command centers. - Modern city security must address both physical security and cybersecurity to protect critical systems like power, water, transit and communications where interconnected systems can create cascading risks across multiple services. What Is a Smart City Security System? A smart city security system combines physical security, cybersecurity and data analytics across an entire city’s infrastructure. They often mix video surveillance and AI analytics with access control, environmental sensors and emergency management platforms. The result is a “smart city” where transportation networks, utilities, law enforcement and city services can share data through integrated platforms and command centers. Typical components include: - Smart cameras using AI to detect weapons and/or abnormal behavior - Card and biometric access control at public infrastructure - Connected sensors monitoring air quality, flooding and
Sep 3, 2026 · via omnilert.com
ACES Announces Strategic Collaboration with Movandi to Accelerate Next-Generation 5G and 6G Wireless Infrastructure in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia at LEAP 2026 On August 31, 2026, ACES and Movandi announced a strategic partnership at LEAP 2026 with the purpose of speeding up the development and introduction of next-generation 5G and 6G wireless infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and throughout the wider Middle East. The partnership is expected to offer solutions for dense urban areas, high-capacity networks, and new digital applications that need faster and more reliable wireless connectivity. By combining their knowledge of infrastructure with cutting-edge wireless technology, addressing the region's increasing demand for connectivity through alliances. Saudi Arabia is making continued investments in digital transformation in smart infrastructure, and technology-driven economic development has created a solid market for advanced communication systems. Since 5G is becoming more widely adopted and the industrial emerging in transition towards preparation for 6G by improving domestic network capabilities, expand connectivity and opens up new opportunities for businesses, consumers and technology providers in the MEA. Impact on the Telecommunications Sector The global telecommunications market size is estimated at USD 2.46 trillion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 2.61 trillion in 2026 to approximately USD 4.42 trillion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 6.03% from 2026 to 2035. According to Precedence Research, this partnership has the potential to speed up innovation in the telecommunications sector by providing advanced infrastructure solutions for wireless networks that are becoming more demanding. Telecommunications operators in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Middle East are currently encountering increasing data traffic, higher expectations regarding network reliability, and the requirement to support a large number of connected devices. The technologies created as a result of the collaboration between ACES and Movandi might help overcome the problems relating to coverage,
Sep 2, 2026 · via precedenceresearch.com
Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. (UPSC 2020) Urban flooding in million cities, including Hyderabad and Pune, is a result of rapid urban growth outrunning planning, drainage and ecological safeguards. Even so-called smart cities remain vulnerable because technology has often been added without protecting the natural water system beneath them. - Why cities flood: concrete surfaces reduce infiltration and greatly raise runoff; natural drains, streams, lakes and wetlands are encroached upon; stormwater channels are narrowed, covered or blocked; and solid waste, silt and sewage choke the drains. - Planning failure: many urban settlements still lack updated master plans, while land use changes ignore carrying capacity, floodplains and catchment boundaries. - Outdated drainage: city drains are often designed for older rainfall patterns and are unable to cope with intense, short-duration cloudbursts now becoming more frequent due to climate change. - Lasting remedial measures: prepare basin-wide urban flood management plans instead of piecemeal ward works. - Restore and protect lakes, nalas, wetlands and floodplains; stop encroachment and desilt drains regularly. - Adopt sponge city measures such as permeable pavements, rain gardens, bioswales, urban forests and rainwater harvesting. - Upgrade stormwater drains with climate-based design standards, real-time monitoring and strong early warning systems. - Ensure strict coordination among urban local bodies, development authorities and disaster agencies, with penalties for illegal construction and waste dumping. Urban floods are not merely a rainfall problem but a governance and land-use crisis. A resilient response must combine ecological restoration, modern drainage, stricter planning discipline and community participation to make cities safer and more water-sensitive. Originally written on September 2, 2026 and last modified on September 2, 2026.
Sep 2, 2026 · via gktoday.in
Supreme Court May Be Next Step for Bellingham, WA, Responders Axed over COVID-19 Shot A group of former city of Bellingham employees who were fired for refusing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate have filed a petition to have their case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. The employees, which include EMTs, police officers, firefighters, a senior inspector and a wastewater collections supervisor, filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Bellingham and former Mayor Seth Fleetwood in June 2024 over Fleetwood’s 2021 executive order requiring city employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The lawsuit called the policy unlawful, arbitrary and a “reckless, willful and wanton disregard for plaintiffs’ rights, safety and health.” The plaintiffs alleged that the city deprived them of the option to refuse and their rights to due process, equal protection and privacy. They also claimed wrongful termination and intentional infliction of emotional distress and requested punitive damages. Bellingham refuted the allegations, challenging the notion that the COVID-19 vaccine was an “investigational drug” and outlining what the city sees as failures by the other claims to meet legal standards. The district court dismissed the case with prejudice in January 2025, and the plaintiffs filed an appeal the following month in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On May 26, two circuit judges upheld the district court’s ruling, dismissing the case. The plaintiffs have now filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, which orders a lower court to send up the case for review. The petition, submitted Aug. 24, claims the lower courts failed to address whether the 14th Amendment precludes states and their political subdivisions from mandating the administration of “new drugs.” “The questions presented are critically important, and the stakes are high because injecting investigational drugs can cause irreparable harm,” the
Sep 2, 2026 · via firehouse.com
Taipei, TAIPEI, Sept. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIOSTAR, a leading manufacturer of edge AI computing solutions, IPC systems, industrial motherboards, graphics cards, and storage devices, is showcasing its IPC and edge AI computing solutions at LEAP 2026, taking place from August 31 to September 3, 2026, at RECC Malham, Saudi Arabia. With a strong focus on product demonstrations and real-world industrial applications, BIOSTAR is presenting an extensive lineup of industrial motherboards and EdgeComp systems built for smart manufacturing, smart cities, smart retail, and other demanding industrial computing environments. Visitors can explore BIOSTAR's latest solutions at DeepFest Hall 5, Booth H5.C28. BIOSTAR at Leap BIOSTAR's industrial motherboard showcase spans eight models: the BIW88-AHS, BIH61-AHA, BIWCL-IHT, BIPTL-IHT, BITWL-IHT, BIWCL-PAT, BIRPL-PAT, and BITWL-150. Leading the lineup are two of BIOSTAR's newest platforms. The BIPTL-IHT carries an onboard Intel Panther Lake-H processor with DDR5-7200 SO-DIMM support up to 128GB, quad-display output across LVDS, dual HDMI and dual DisplayPort, six COM ports, and onboard TPM 2.0. Alongside it, the BIWCL-IHT for Mini ITX and BIWCL-PAT for 3.5” SBC are built on Intel's new Wildcat Lake processors, supporting the new Intel Core platform, DDR5-6400 memory, and dual Intel i226 2.5GbE networking. For higher-performance industrial workloads, the BIW88-AHS pairs Intel Core Ultra 200 series processors with the Intel W880 chipset, offering four DDR5-5600 U-DIMM slots with ECC support up to 192GB, quad Intel 2.5GbE, dual PCIe 5.0 x16 slots, and five additional PCIe 4.0 slots for expansion. The BIH61-AHA combines five conventional PCI slots with modern PCIe 4.0 expansion on the Intel H610 platform, supporting 12th- to 14th-Gen Intel Core processors on the LGA1700 socket. Completing the range, BIOSTAR BITWL-IHT, the Thin Mini-ITX IPC motherboard, supports Intel Alder Lake-N, Amston Lake, and Twin Lake processors with six COM ports, including two RS232/422/485 and four RS232 ports,
Sep 2, 2026 · via globenewswire.com
At a time when India and the US are negotiating the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday proposed creating dedicated plug-and-play industrial parks for US companies looking to invest in India. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor also said the two countries had made “real progress”, including on the trade understanding reached by their governments, while signalling that the engagement between the two countries extended beyond trade in goods. “We have made real progress, including the trade understanding that our governments have reached. Our progress extends well beyond trade and goods. Our two nations are partnering on virtually everything under the roof,” Gor said while addressing the 66th Annual Session of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). Gor said the two countries were working closely to build supply-chain resilience, enabling industries in both countries to respond jointly to disruptions, diversify sourcing and keep production moving. Against this backdrop, Goyal proposed creating dedicated industrial zones tailored to the requirements of US companies. “We are now looking at 100 more industrial smart cities with plug-and-play infrastructure. Maybe we should have one of these parts dedicated to a US-India partnership. Maybe we can have two or three, five parts which will be for auto components only. I can create the plug-and-play infrastructure to suit you directly,” he said. He also suggested that specialised sections could be created for particular industries, including auto components, with infrastructure designed specifically to meet the requirements of American companies. The remarks come as India seeks to attract greater foreign investment and integrate domestic manufacturing more deeply into global supply chains. Goyal is scheduled to travel to the US later this month for G20-related meetings. Indian exporters met Commerce Ministry officials on Tuesday to flag concerns over access to the
Sep 2, 2026 · via newindianexpress.com
Energize Denver Adopts Updated Rules, Improves Supports for Buildings Published on September 02, 2026 Following an extensive, multi-year outreach effort working alongside Denver’s building owners, property managers and contractors, the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency (CASR) adopted updated rules to the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy to make reducing energy use manageable, more affordable and better aligned with each building. The updated rules implement the Building Performance Policy ordinance amendments approved by City Council on May 18, 2026, and finalize the new compliance options shaped and requested by stakeholders over the multi-year refinement of the policy. The updated rules include: - Timing Changes: Providing clarity and flexibility around compliance deadlines - Planning Improvements: Clarifying compliance pathways and options for flexibility for buildings with unique circumstances, - Alternate Compliance Options: Codifying manageable and achievable compliance options requested by the building community - Enforcement Clarity: Providing transparency and certainty around enforcement options and processes With the updated rules in place, Denver created options in the Building Performance Policy to help buildings put compliance within reach – from adjusting energy efficiency targets and compliance deadlines to developing customized plans for phased improvements. CASR remains committed to supporting building owners to find a path to compliance that makes sense for their building, including more targeted resources that help them navigate the compliance process, a help desk that will assist with developing an improvement plan and web resources to help find financial support. For the full, updated rules effective August 27, 2026, visit the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy Rules and Technical Guidance page. To help buildings manage and achieve compliance with the city’s Building Performance Policy, CASR has also launched a new, streamlined Energize Denver Navigation Center – energizedenver.org – where service providers, building owners and building managers can access tools, resources
Sep 2, 2026 · via denvergov.org
FDNY Pushing Feds to Add Cardiac, Cognitive Decline to List of 9/11 Illnesses NEW YORK — As firefighters and EMS members who responded to 9/11 get older, the FDNY is pushing for the federal government to add cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and other ailments to the list of covered 9/11 illnesses that could help survivors in the future. Studies by the FDNY WTC Health Program show that a higher percentage of FDNY members exposed to the toxins at Ground Zero are suffering from these diseases than the average population, FDNY WTC Health Program director Dr. David Prezant said at a press conference at FDNY headquarters in downtown Brooklyn Tuesday. “These diseases have increased over and above what you would expect in aging,” he said. “It is a very high bar the federal government requires for us to leap over to prove that these illnesses are World Trade Center-related.” The average age of those in the program today stands at 64, when the body’s health defenses are less resilient than they were in one’s 30s, he said. Studies on cardiovascular disease among the FDNY’s 9/11 survivors showed a “significant association between WTC exposure and cardiovascular risk,” according to a report that the FDNY WTC Health Program put out Tuesday. An updated report from the program is issued every five years. “Those who arrived at the WTC site on the morning of 9/11 had about a 38% greater risk of developing a primary cardiovascular event compared with those who arrived later,” the report noted. Yet cardiovascular disease is also America’s leading cause of death. The federal government declined the petition to add it to the list of WTC-related illnesses “just a few weeks ago,” Prezant said. “We’re going to keep trying,” he added. “Despite this, this workforce is struggling to get past
Sep 2, 2026 · via firehouse.com
Today’s Headlines for Wednesday, September 2
9:22 AM CDT on September 2, 2026
In addition to editing Streetsblog Chicago, John has written about transportation and more for many other local and national publications. A Chicagoan since 1989, he enjoys exploring the city and region on foot, bike, bus, and train.
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Sep 2, 2026 · via chi.streetsblog.org
Dive Brief: - Washington, D.C., is adding to its waste diversion infrastructure this fall by installing another 20 public “smart bins” for collecting food waste. There are already 31 bins throughout the city. - Residents have dropped off more than 1 million pounds of food waste in the lockable public bins since the program launched in 2024, according to D.C.’s Department of Public Works. The program complements other composting efforts in the city, such as curbside collection for some homes and drop-off locations at area farmers markets. - The aim with the sealed smart bins is to offer more composting options for residents living in multifamily housing. Dive Insight: The bin program expansion is part of a broader zero waste goal to divert 80% of the city’s waste away from landfills and incineration by 2040. Multifamily housing makes up the majority of living space in D.C., and DPW has been working to tailor composting solutions for apartment-dwellers in recent years to amplify those zero waste efforts. D.C. already requires certain apartment building managers to provide adequate waste and recycling services to tenants. But residents who want to compost typically must take their food waste to a farmers market or purchase their own countertop composter if they don’t have easy access to a smart bin. Users can find a nearby bin using an interactive map and unlock the lid using a key code, making the service available 24 hours a day, said John Johnson, program manager for D.C.’s Office of Waste Diversion. But residents are more likely to use the bin if it’s close to their home, “so the goal is to make sure that we have equitable distribution throughout the city,” he said. The existing bins have become quite popular in the last 18 months, with about 10,000 residents signing
Sep 2, 2026 · via wastedive.com
Find the best mobile app development companies in Saudi Arabia in 2026. Compare leading firms for AI-powered, secure, scalable, and user-focused apps. Saudi Arabia has become one of the Middle East's fastest-growing technology markets, driven by Vision 2030, expanding digital transformation initiatives, smart-city programs, and growing investment in artificial intelligence. Businesses across Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and other cities are increasingly using mobile applications to improve customer experiences, automate operations, launch digital services, and create new revenue channels. From fintech and healthcare to logistics, eCommerce, real estate, tourism, and government services, mobile applications are becoming an important part of Saudi Arabia's digital economy. Businesses now require more than basic iOS or Android development—they need secure, scalable, AI-powered, cloud-connected, and user-focused digital products. Choosing the right technology partner can therefore have a significant impact on a project's performance and long-term scalability. To help businesses compare their options, we have compiled a list of the top 10 mobile app development companies in Saudi Arabia for 2026, considering mobile engineering capabilities, AI expertise, enterprise experience, innovation, market presence, and ability to deliver scalable digital products. 1. Apptunix Saudi Arabia Apptunix Saudi Arabia With a strong understanding of Saudi Arabia's digital ecosystem and Vision 2030 objectives, Apptunix develops Arabic-first and bilingual Arabic-English mobile applications designed around local users and business requirements. Its expertise extends across AI agents, intelligent automation, cloud architecture, IoT, enterprise platforms, and modern mobile experiences. From product strategy and UI/UX design to development, API integration, deployment, and long-term scaling, Apptunix provides end-to-end technology capabilities for businesses building next-generation mobile products in Saudi Arabia. 2. Elm Elm is a Saudi technology company providing digital solutions and services across government and business sectors. Its capabilities include digital platforms, data solutions, smart technologies, enterprise systems, and digital transformation. The company's experience with large-scale digital initiatives
Sep 2, 2026 · via whatech.com
As part of its strategy to address rising rents and a shortfall of more than 50,000 affordable housing units, Cleveland is kickstarting development using a public-private partnership model. The Cleveland Housing Investment Fund launched last year with a goal of raising $100 million to spur the construction of 2,500 to 3,000 new housing units. The fund focuses on financing the construction of rental housing for residents with low to moderate incomes, with an emphasis on those earning less than 80% of the area median income, or around $55,000 a year. The program also plans to develop a minimum of 100 units of for-sale housing, as well as neighborhood-scale rehabilitation projects. Average loans or investments per project are expected to be around $1 million to $5 million. The fund has raised $53 million so far, with 216 new housing units in the works, Mayor Justin Bibb said on social media last week. The program got off the ground with $18 million in seed money from the city, which used surplus American Rescue Plan Act funding for the initiative. The initiative has received a $20 million commitment from KeyBank, $10 million from Huntington Bank and $5 million from Fifth Third Bank. The fund is managed by LISC Fund Management, an affiliate of Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a national community development nonprofit organization, and was based on a similar model in Detroit. “As any mayor will tell you, we love stealing each other’s ideas,” Bibb said at a press event last week. “I was just so proud of the work that LISC did in Detroit with their housing opportunity fund that I jumped at the opportunity to make sure that we brought that public-private partnership model to Cleveland.” Earlier this year, the fund allocated nearly $6 million toward a 60-unit affordable housing project
Sep 2, 2026 · via smartcitiesdive.com
Imagine overhearing on a bus that the city council plans to implement new restrictions under an urban planning program called “15-minute cities”. Curious, you search the term on Google. It’s likely that at the top of the results page, an AI-generated text summarising the search results will appear. This text synthesises content from various webpages that answer specific search queries. They are increasingly appearing not only in Google, but also in other search engines, and users are now likely to stop reading the search results page beyond this AI-generated text. But what if the AI-generated answer – the only search result users may see – confidently makes misleading or incorrect claims? Or reinforces conspiratorial ideas suggested by pro-conspiracy search terms? Our new research, published in the journal Media International Australia, shows this is sometimes true of Google’s AI-generated overviews. It highlights that stronger guardrails are needed to tackle the spread of dangerous conspiracy theories. Focusing on two conspiracies We focused on two conspiracy theories: chemtrails and 15-minute cities. “Chemtrails” is a conspiracy theory that has been around since the 1990s. Its believers mainly perceive the condensation trails left behind aircraft as large-scale weather or climate modification programs. Researchers called out Google for giving visibility to conspiratorial beliefs around chemtrails back in 2015. In response, the company demoted problematic search results. Conspiracy theories surrounding 15-minute cities are relatively younger. The term was originally coined to represent an efficient urban planning model. But for the conspiracist, these plans represent a nefarious elite, globalist agenda that seeks to monitor and control residents through technology. Comparing search results We developed search queries reflecting these conspiratorial beliefs and general ways of searching on the same topics (relying on open fora and Google Trends for query examples). We then collected data from the first page of
Sep 2, 2026 · via theconversation.com
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Sep 1, 2026 · via youtube.com
New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS) India’s decade‑long push to modernise urban infrastructure through the Smart Cities Mission and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) transformed the country's urban future by shifting policy emphasis from standalone construction to integrated infrastructure, a report has said. The programme also shifted urban policy focus to technology‑enabled governance and water security and better quality of life, the report from Vietnam Times said. “India's urban transformation is now entering a new policy phase in which governance itself has become a central part of the development agenda,” the publication said. Launched in 2015, the Smart Cities Mission selected 100 cities for targeted development using a combination of area‑based and pan‑city projects. By May 2025, 7,555 of 8,067 planned projects under the mission were complete, the report said, with a total investment of about $183 billion. Another 512 projects worth about $1.45 billion were in advanced stages and by March 31, 2025, nearly all central government budgeted funds were released to the cities. The report highlighted the significance of the program in the range of urban functions they cover. “Smart roads, public spaces, cycle tracks, health facilities, classrooms, water systems and technology-enabled public services have become part of the mission's urban transformation framework,” it noted. As per government data, 3,528 water-supply projects worth about $13.3 billion had been approved under AMRUT 2.0 as of February 2026. Marking a major institutional innovation, all 100 Smart Cities have operational Integrated Command and Control Centres, which use technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things systems and data analytics to support urban management. These centres have been used for traffic regulation, water supply monitoring, solid waste management, public safety, crowd management and emergency response. The government's “Jal Hi AMRIT” initiative under AMRUT 2.0 aims to improve the quality and
Sep 1, 2026 · via ianslive.in