Regensburg Stadt, BY and Zeus respond to community feedback with wireless e-scooter charging pilot
Regensburg identified availability and sustainability as keys to public use of micro-mobility in a 2021 study. Municipal officials worked with Zeus on installing three Zolar stations at heavily used transit stops. The Zolar station uses 100% solar energy and wireless charging technology for quick recharges. Zeus will also incorporate its Z2 e-scooter into the local fleet, thus improving user experiences through longer battery life and smoother travel on cobblestone streets.
Regensburg Stadt, BY
Germany
Northern Beaches, NSW installs VMWare's SD-WAN solution for more resilient connectivity
Local officials approved SD-WAN's use in buildings essential for council operations. This cloud-based technology automatically identifies connectivity issues and transfers data using the fastest available connections. Northern Beaches recently agreed to use satellite broadband from Vocus Satellite - Starlink in addition to its fiber-optic cable network. SD-WAN ensures the council's continuity of operations during natural disasters and other emergency situations.
Northern Beaches, NSW
Australia
Vancouver, BC kicks off clean energy kiosk program for low-emission film and television productions
Vancouver's Public Realm Electrification Program advances public charging for uses like food trucks and electric vehicles. A trio of kiosks at Northeast False Creek expands the program's reach to film sets. Clean energy kiosks allow production teams to recharge batteries with hydroelectricity rather than rely on diesel generators. Local officials plan a network of kiosks across the city with the goal of a 10-minute drive from set to kiosk anywhere in Vancouver.
Vancouver, BC
Canada
Burnaby, BC approves District Energy Utility for renewable energy in high-growth neighborhoods
Burnaby's District Energy Utility will connect Metro Vancouver's Waste-to-Energy center to addresses in Metrotown and Edmonds by 2026. Underground pipes carry clean thermal energy from the facility to homes and businesses, thus reducing their reliance on natural gas. This system lowers energy costs for consumers and provides flexibility for additional fuel sources in the future. City officials anticipate an annual carbon emissions reduction of 22,400 tons.
Burnaby, BC
Canada
Santa Monica, CA puts stormwater to better use with its Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project
SWIP connects a stormwater harvesting tank to an advanced water treatment system under a public parking lot. This system can treat up to one million gallons of water each day and store up to 1.5 million gallons. Stormwater and runoff treated at SWIP are sent for use in irrigation, aquifer recharging, and toilet flushing. Santa Monica diverts 100 million gallons of untreated water from the bay each year and produces 10% of its annual water supply with SWIP.
Santa Monica, CA
United States
Griffith, NSW protects public cemetery staff from workplace injuries with portable platforms
The city's cemetery team sought a safer method for preparing burial vaults after its leader was injured. The use of ladders proved insufficient for the double-vault depth of the public cemetery. Griffith's fitter welder, cemetery personnel, and Work and Health Safety team designed a pair of platforms using on-hand materials. The platforms safely lower to the appropriate level and support vault preparations without disturbing coffins or surrounding structures.
Griffith, NSW
Australia
Oxfordshire County Council, GB GigaHubs Project expands broadband access to public facilities
The project plans full-fiber broadband at 200 council buildings including leisure centers, libraries, and fire stations. Neos Networks and its subcontractors were selected for the project's completion by the end of 2023. Oxfordshire County Council and the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) provided funding for this project. This is the first DCMS effort of its type and a model for the department's goal of 85% national gigabit connectivity by 2025.
Oxfordshire County Council, GB
United Kingdom
West Hollywood, CA develops WeHo Wi-Fi outdoor network for improved public connectivity
West Hollywood installed Wi-Fi 6 access points at intersections and bus shelters along Santa Monica Boulevard. WeHo Wi-Fi also supports connectivity at West Hollywood Park and Plummer Park Community Center. City officials focused on an outdoor Wi-Fi network for public access during events and staff use during fieldwork. The network also supports technology pilots and demonstrations as part of the WeHo Smart City Strategic Plan.
West Hollywood, CA
United States
Buffalo, NY prevents sewer overflows during storms with the Wastewater Network Optimization System
Xylem's platform collects data from sensors throughout the city's sewer system. Machine learning processes result in predictions about potential overflows during heavy rains. This system automatically channels water into sewer pipes with available capacity, thus preventing wastewater from entering local waterways. The Buffalo Sewer Authority did not need to add new infrastructure for the project and can scale up the platform's use for future system extensions.
Buffalo, NY
United States
London Borough of Barnet, GB introduces BarNET ZERO campaign for a net-zero borough by 2042
BarNET ZERO began with a five-week advertising campaign about co-design opportunities. An online portal, a Citizens' Assembly on climate change, and a newsletter continue community engagement on sustainability. Borough officials advanced Europe's largest air-source heat pump project for 6,700 new homes at the Brent Cross Town development. A £9 million Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, 510 new EV chargers, and council building improvements contribute to BarNET ZERO's goals.
London Borough of Barnet, GB
United Kingdom
Amsterdam, NH engages public on long-term planning of public EV charging stations
Amsterdam set a goal of adding 6,000 new public stations throughout the city by 2025. A one-month engagement campaign sought resident suggestions on future charging locations. City officials received 1,773 location pins on an interactive map along with comments about EV charging. The resulting location plan combined existing charger locations, 228 proposed locations that were not feasible, and 93 suggestions under further consideration.
Amsterdam, NH
Netherlands
Milton Keynes Council, GB collaborates with Kerbo on pilot of on-street EV charging technology
Trial participants in the Oxley Park district without off-street parking benefit from safe EV charging. Kerbo's system includes a narrow polymer channel built into the sidewalk between the user's front door and their on-street parking spot. The charging cable rests underneath a self-sealing lid for protection from pedestrians and the elements during operation. A successful pilot may lead to expanded use of Kerbo, thus decreasing charging costs and barriers to EV ownership.
Milton Keynes Council, GB
United Kingdom