In line with the concept of urban farming, urban aquaculture is the utilization of small, unused spaces in densely populated urban areas, transforming them into productive areas through the application of aquaculture technology. Generally, urban aquaculture can be defined as fish…

The rapid proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) applications in recent years has played a significant role in the advancement of smart cities. Sustainable cities and communities are a main goal of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which aims to make urban areas safe, re…

The rapid growth of urban populations demands smarter, more efficient, and sustainable city governance. This study aims to analyze the role of Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT) in supporting urban governance toward a sustainable smart city, with a focus on their contribut…

Aims: This study aimed to develop an approach for disaster risk reduction in urban communities of the indigenous community in Kampung Kuta, West Java, to enhance disaster literacy. The primary issue addressed was the insufficient integration of traditional knowledge into formal d…

Preventive healthcare is really important these days in big cities where people have a lot of health problems because of the way they live. A lot of health issues happen because peoaple do not see the early warning signs they do not go to the doctor when they should or they do no…

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) with Internet of Things (IoT) applications and their use cases with special emphasis on Machine learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) models. Various factors like the availability of a huge…

As the Internet of Things (IoT) transforms the structure of our globalized society there is an urgent need for energy-efficient and reconfigurable network solutions. In this paper, we explore the software-defined wireless sensor networks (SDWSNs), with energy being one of the key…

The traditional waste management system is inefficient, leading to overflowing dustbins, littered streets, and environmental pollution. This paper presents "Smart Dustbin," an innovative IoT-based solution that revolutionizes waste management. Equipped with sensors, GPS, and Wi-F…

The growth in the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in smart city deployment has fueled the need of low-latency and scalable communication systems as well as energy-efficient wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Nevertheless, traditional architectures of a cloud-based WSN…

Abstract — In rapidly urbanizing cities, road traffic accidents and fire crises are important causes of avoidable fatalities, where outcomes are greatly worsened by delayed identification and response. The design and implementation of an IoT-enabled fire and accident detection sy…

Rural cooperatives express significant frustration with recent changes to the NTIA's BEAD program, which they argue undermine efforts to provide affordable fiber internet in rural areas by reducing oversight, lowering quality standards, and imposing new bureaucratic hurdles. These changes have led s…

The Groton Connectivity Hub in Vermont exemplifies a community-driven approach to expanding digital access, featuring privacy pods that facilitate telehealth and other essential services in a rural area with limited high-speed internet. Funded by a USDA grant and supported by local leaders, the init…

The 'Sign ON 250' initiative, launched by the National League of Cities and America’s Newspapers, aims to engage Americans in a year-long celebration of the Declaration of Independence by encouraging individuals to digitally sign the document, thereby reaffirming their commitment to its founding pri…

Lawmakers are urging the Trump administration to clarify the status of $21 billion in 'non-deployment funds' from the BEAD program, which are crucial for states to effectively plan and deploy broadband infrastructure. The administration's changes to the program have led to significant delays and con…

Trump administration attorneys argued in court that the Digital Equity Act's grant program could proceed without a provision identifying certain racial and ethnic groups as 'covered populations' if found unconstitutional. This position, which surprised both the judge and the plaintiff's attorneys, s…

Glades Electric Cooperative has successfully completed a 1,600-mile fiber broadband network in rural Florida, leveraging state grants and a partnership with Conexon Connect to provide affordable internet access and enhance electrical network monitoring. This initiative aims to close the digital divi…

The upcoming webinar will showcase how communities are taking control of their digital futures by implementing a new financing model for community-owned fiber networks, moving away from reliance on incumbent providers. It will feature case studies from Kendall County and Lewiston, highlighting the p…

The Civic Tech Lab participated in UNESCO's capacity-building workshops aimed at enhancing digital platform governance in Southeast Asia, focusing on human rights, transparency, and accountability. The workshops facilitated collaboration among regulators, civil society, and academics to translate gl…

The 2026 Municipal Infrastructure Conditions Report reveals that municipalities are increasingly relying on local, cash-based funding for infrastructure amidst rising costs and workforce shortages, while federal investments have improved assessment capabilities but not resolved underlying challenges…

With tax day as a backdrop, the ILSR Community Broadband Networks Initiative and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance convened its quarterly Building for Digital Equity livestream yesterday that shined a light on how public dollars and tax policy intersect with digital equity.…

Flagstaff, Arizona, initiated a public-private partnership with Wecom Fiber in late 2024 to expand its fiber network, which is projected to inject at least $100 million into the local economy over five years while saving the city $18 million in capital expenses. The partnership aims to connect 30,00…

Lawmakers are advocating for the restoration of the Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) to address broadband inequities affecting marginalized communities, following its dismantling by the Trump administration. The proposed legislation aims to ensure equitable access to communication…

The Big Seven coalition of state and local government associations emphasizes the importance of collaborative federalism, where federal, state, and local governments work together as partners in public service. This partnership is essential for addressing contemporary challenges and ensuring effecti…

Local government organizations oppose the American Broadband Deployment Act (H.R. 2289), arguing it undermines local authority over public rights-of-way and land use by favoring telecom companies through federal preemption. They contend the bill prioritizes industry interests at the expense of publi…

The University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab addresses the exclusion of marginalized communities from economic opportunities by collaborating with policymakers and organizations to identify challenges, generate evidence on effective programs, and implement policy changes that enhance financial se…

The University of Chicago Energy and Environment Lab (EE Lab) focuses on evaluating and scaling environmental policies and interventions through rigorous research methods, including machine learning and behavioral economics, to improve environmental outcomes and energy access. The lab collaborates w…

The Energy & Environment Lab at the University of Chicago partners with government agencies to innovate and improve environmental policy through advanced data analysis and experimental methods. By embedding researchers with regulators, the Lab aims to identify, test, and scale effective solutions to…

The CivicTech Lab is presenting two interventions at the 2026 Computer-Human Interaction conference, focusing on the role of AI agents in public deliberation. A panel discussion will explore human-AI collaboration for democratic dialogue, while a poster will evaluate the deliberative quality of mult…

Our History Back to About Us 15 years of broadband advocacy Since 2010, the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development has been a driving force in promoting universal connectivity and broadband for sustainable development. As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we reflect on…

The CivicTech Lab is a collaborative research team comprising students and faculty from various institutions, focusing on civic technology and its applications. The team includes a diverse group of researchers at different academic levels, contributing to the lab's mission of advancing knowledge in…

The CivicTech Lab participated in the 2025 Participedia Summer School, showcasing innovations in deliberation, particularly through workshops on alternative protein foods and comparisons of deliberation methods involving humans and AI. The lab emphasizes the need to integrate technology into deliber…

Communities change over time, evolving in response to demographic trends, changing economic conditions and other ...

The environmental review process provides another way for local officials to address health issues when they are considering ...

The 2020 Eviction Prevention Cohort, a collaboration between the National League of Cities and Stanford Legal Design Lab, aimed to assist five cities in addressing the housing and eviction crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in communities of color. The initiative provided hand…

The NLC advocates for the importance of an accurate 2020 Census count, emphasizing its critical role in federal funding allocation and community understanding. They call for Congress to extend Census deadlines to ensure a complete count, supported by bipartisan efforts from multiple senators.

The National League of Cities (NLC) is committed to empowering local governments to adopt and innovate with Artificial Intelligence (AI) by providing technical assistance, fostering community engagement, and strengthening public trust. Through initiatives like the AI and Emerging Technology Forum, N…

The Afterschool Policy Advisors Network (APAN) aims to enhance afterschool programming by facilitating collaboration and sharing best practices among municipal leaders and stakeholders, particularly in response to challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. With over 600 members from more than 300 citie…

The National League of Cities has over 20 years of experience in enhancing afterschool and summer learning opportunities, recognizing their critical role in improving youth academics and skills. In collaboration with the US Department of Education, NLC aims to ensure access to high-quality programs…

The Southern Cities Economic Initiative (SCEI) empowers municipalities in the South to overcome economic challenges by integrating strategic economic expansion with community well-being initiatives, thereby fostering local business growth and resilience. Through collaboration with various foundation…

The National League of Cities is addressing the unmet basic needs of postsecondary students, which are critical for their educational success and workforce readiness. By partnering with local leaders and institutions, the initiative aims to identify and remove barriers such as food, housing, and dig…

The initiative 'Connecting Adults to Postsecondary and Workforce Success' aims to support the 40 million Americans with some college credit but no degree by providing municipalities with technical assistance to create pathways for adult learners to complete credentials and achieve economic mobility.…

The National League of Cities (NLC) emphasizes the critical role of tax-exempt municipal bonds in financing essential infrastructure projects across the U.S. and warns of their potential risk due to upcoming congressional changes. The #BuiltByBonds campaign aims to showcase the significance of these…

The National League of Cities (NLC) advocates for local governments by coordinating grassroots actions and federal advocacy efforts, focusing on issues that impact municipalities through a structured agenda and legal support. Their initiatives include monitoring federal policies, engaging elected of…

Effective coordination among various departments within local agencies is crucial for implementing policy changes, as demonstrated by a city initiative aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. This requires leadership at multiple points to ensure that planning, public works, and enf…

The National League of Cities (NLC) provides resources, newsletters, and podcasts to support local leaders in effectively managing their communities, focusing on issues like equity, public safety, and civic engagement. Their initiatives aim to enhance local governance and community well-being throug…

The National League of Cities (NLC) emphasizes the importance of local governments in fostering civic discourse and community engagement, highlighting a significant decline in civil discourse and rising conflicts among residents. NLC's initiatives aim to support local leaders in creating environment…

The case study highlights various community-driven initiatives across different cities aimed at enhancing equity, mental health, and housing development, emphasizing the importance of local governance in addressing socio-economic disparities. It showcases specific strategies like violence interventi…

Collaboration among independent entities requires distinct skills and approaches compared to internal organizational coordination, often necessitating formal or informal agreements that define goals, resource contributions, and conflict resolution. Local officials can enhance community health initia…

The text outlines various funding opportunities from local, state, federal, and foundation sources that can enhance health outcomes through investments in community health and the built environment. It emphasizes the potential for co-benefits from funding programs that may not explicitly target heal…

The text argues that partnerships among local agencies and community organizations are essential for achieving significant improvements in healthy neighborhoods, especially in the context of limited resources. By collaborating, these entities can create a unified agenda, leverage resources, and enha…

The text emphasizes the importance of assessing community health needs to identify vulnerable populations who may benefit most from targeted interventions, particularly in promoting physical activity and improving access to nutritious food. It highlights that specific groups, such as young people an…

The text emphasizes the importance of assessing community needs and forging partnerships to create healthy neighborhoods, particularly in the context of limited resources. It highlights that effective public engagement is crucial for ensuring that initiatives reflect community priorities and garner…

The document outlines strategies for funding open space acquisition programs, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and collaboration with various stakeholders to secure financial resources. It highlights the role of local governments in facilitating these programs and the need for tran…

The evolving field of land-use planning is increasingly addressing environmental concerns, demographic shifts, and health impacts by adapting to longer commutes, declining mobility, and changing family structures. This evolution reflects a need for communities to create diverse, sustainable environm…

We are researchers, writers, and advocates from diverse backgrounds who shed light on higher education’s most complex challenges.

The PreK-12 Education program works to strengthen public elementary and secondary education for all students—especially those from low-income families and marginalized communities.

The Teaching, Learning & Tech program advances policies and practices to inform how technology can meaningfully strengthen learning for young people.

New America’s Political Reform program develops bold, evidence-based strategies to fix government dysfunction and rebuild civic trust.

As the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, New America’s Us@250 initiative seeks to reimagine the American narrative.

Identifying the best innovations in democratic revitalization by engaging activists, city officials, and community members.