Columbia, MO approves $41.8M smart meter program for electric and water utilities
Columbia City Council voted Sept. 21 to authorize a $41.8 million Advanced Metering Infrastructure program with Ameresco for its city-owned electric and water utilities. The project will replace 53,992 electric and 52,747 water meters, with equipment orders in October and installation beginning in spring 2027. City officials project more than $71 million in benefits over 15 years.
Columbia, MO
United States
Summit County, OH moves building permits and inspections to GovWell portal
Summit County's Division of Building Standards began using GovWell, a new online platform for building permits and inspections, on Sept. 28, replacing its CityWorks portal for new requests. Applicants can apply for permits, submit plans, schedule inspections and track application status in one place, which officials expect will reduce review delays.
Summit County, OH
United States
Menlo Park, CA launches Laurel AI chatbot to answer resident questions
The City of Menlo Park launched Laurel, a Citibot-powered AI chatbot that answers community questions about city services using information from the city website, its Xplor Recreation software and its Accela permit portal. Laurel received over 1,000 questions in its first weeks, is available in more than 70 languages, and department staff review its responses for accuracy.
Menlo Park, CA
United States
Harris County, TX approves AI platform to speed permit and plat reviews
Harris County Commissioners Court approved a contract with Australia-based Archistar to use AI to pre-check plat applications and run technical code-compliance reviews for new construction. The program aims to cut permit processing time by 50% and includes a chatbot for applicants, while county staff keep final review and approval. Commissioners earmarked over $750,000 for it in the FY2027 budget.
Harris County, TX
United States
Calgary, AB launches Wave Tech Centre to boost innovation across city departments
Calgary has launched a new Wave Tech Centre aimed at fostering innovation within city departments by leveraging technology and collaboration. The center will serve as a hub for developing and implementing digital solutions to improve municipal services and operations. This initiative is part of the city's broader strategy to enhance efficiency and meet the evolving needs of its residents.
Calgary, AB
Canada
Rødovre, DK paves the way for smarter urban development with Autodesk Forma software
Rødovre's high population density led municipal officials toward a data-driven approach to development. Autodesk Forma produces maps, visualizations, and simulations based on historical data and current proposals. Stakeholders test the impacts of development on factors ranging from road noise to green spaces. Months of internal testing were followed by the formal adoption of the cloud-based software for three urban development projects.
Rødovre, DK
Denmark
Calgary, AB trials Rogers Connected for Success access as part of its Fair Entry subsidy program
Calgary's Fair Entry program uses a single application for services to low-income households like transit passes and senior home maintenance. A partnership with Rogers adds the company's Connected for Success initiative to Fair Entry options. Fair Entry recipients won't need to cover monthly costs or fill out additional paperwork for applicable 5G mobile, Internet, and television plans. City officials sought a partner to fulfill its Digital Equity Strategy goals of access for all residents.
Calgary, AB
Canada
Long Beach, CA develops Digital Rights Platform for public understanding of smart city technology
Long Beach partnered with Coding it Forward fellows on a 10-week development process for the platform's prototype. Digital Transparency in the Public Realm (DTPR) signage was placed near smart pedestrian counters and license plate readers. Passersby scanned QR codes on the signs to access easy-to-understand information on data collection and usage methods. Future plans for the first-of-its-type platform include translation into three languages and entries for other technologies in use.
Long Beach, CA
United States
Rio de Janeiro, RJ creates public spaces for digital training with its Nave Satélite initiative
Nave Satélites - or Satellite Ships - convert former CIEP learning centers into accessible spaces for digital training. Local workers prepare for office employment with free courses like Basic Excel and IT certification options. Residents of all ages find computer stations for online tasks and tablets for Internet browsing. City officials anticipate each Nave Satélite will serve up to 450 people per month with three Zona Oeste locations planned by the end of 2023.
Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Brazil
San Antonio, TX introduces Talkin' Broadway chatbot for improved outreach during construction
A one-year contract with Hello Lamp Post resulted in a chatbot specific to the city's Lower Broadway improvements. Visitors text Hello SA 3 to 210-802-2265 or scan QR codes on sidewalk signage to start conversations in English or Spanish. Talkin' Broadway answers questions about planned closures, directs users to affected businesses, and accepts feedback for city review. The chatbot generates anonymized sentiment data helpful in shaping future outreach efforts.
San Antonio, TX
United States
Amsterdam, NH responds to privacy concerns from mobile mapping with Blurring as a Service solution
Mobile mapping projects in Amsterdam result in street footage without anonymization. The city's Computer Vision Team developed its own algorithm for blurring personal information in panoramic images. Blurring as a Service recognizes entire people and vehicles compared to face and license plate identification used by other software. This solution protects personal privacy rights without manual editing or outside software costs.
Amsterdam, NH
Netherlands
Charlotte, NC Learn2Earn pilot increases digital literacy through free courses and equipment
Learn2Earn offered free, factory-sealed computers for participants who completed the required coursework. Eight digital literacy courses at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library built user confidence in computer skills needed for employment and school. The pilot complemented the city's Access Charlotte initiative, which used ARPA funding for free home Internet in 8,000 homes. Charlotte also funded expanded digital navigation services in partnership with the Center for Digital Equity.
Charlotte, NC
United States