Commentaries

Commentaries are contributed, non-commercial and educational articles that subject matter experts write for American City & County. If you would like to submit an exclusive commentary, click here to view our guidelines.

Highlights

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The future of carbon emissions and cities lies in green buildings

When you envision the future, what do you see? For me, it’s a place where people of all...

With an historic investment in public spaces, Philadelphia’s Rebuild program is committed to equity in the process

Jobs in the construction industry are family-sustaining careers that have proven to lift...

Person holding a smartphone while wearing a COVID-19 mask

Commentary

How cities can react and protect residents and small businesses from coronavirus

Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic — and as coronavirus affects every aspect of our society, changing the way people everywhere live and work — government officials on the federal, state and city levels across a wide spectrum of technological sophistication are working to comprehend and combat the severe negative effects […]

Commentary

GIS for smart cities: Turning data into action

To keep your municipality running smoothly, it’s useful to have a large team of public works employees in the field at all times, keeping an eye out for road obstructions and clogged storm drains. But what if instead of a hundred or so people keeping an eye out, you could mobilize an army of 50,000? […]

Commentary

Helping vulnerable populations in the face of pandemic

Public safety, health and emergency management agencies don’t always know where vulnerable populations live in their communities, making it difficult to proactively identify those at risk and respond to their needs appropriately. Especially in crises, such as the current coronavirus pandemic, knowing who and where those people are can be extra critical as public safety […]

Commentary

Cities and counties face fiscal challenges in the pandemic era

Even prior to widespread recognition that the Coronavirus pandemic is likely to wreck economic devastation on the national and global economies, there were many cities and counties throughout the country facing significant financial challenges. Some of these pre-existing problems included: insufficient liquidity; excessive debt burdens; inadequate reserves; declining revenues; and unsustainable employee retirement and health […]

Exclusive

Equal opportunity for the American Dream

Election season is upon us and the mayors of America have a challenging idea perfect for engineers to lead on. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has proposed an election-year policy agenda called Mayors’ Vision for America: A 2020 Call for Action. The mayors want bipartisan solutions for some of the greatest challenges facing our nation […]

Article

3 tips for mitigating the ransomware threat to government offices

In 2019, more than 140 local governments, hospitals, and police stations fell victim to malicious ransomware attacks. Various cities across Louisiana, Texas, and Florida are among many that have appeared in the headlines. This particularly malicious type of cybercrime has become a global issue whose reach and impact continue to grow. Recent reports claim ransomware […]

Commentary

Municipal leaders should improve property registries to combat property blight

Hundreds of communities across the country have implemented a “vacant property registration ordinance” (VPRO) with intent to proactively receive contact information of the owner or responsible party for vacant and/or abandoned properties in their jurisdiction. This tool advocated for by community development experts has proven to be a great success. While effective, this tool has […]

Commentary

In a new data decade, constituent experience reigns

Over the years, humans have predicted fantastical feats would be achieved by 2020, from robot servants to public space travel. Now that 2020 is here, some of the accomplishments are different—but still grand. In the decade ahead, transformational technologies that better meet constituent needs will define the missions of local government leaders. Advancements in 5G, […]

Commentary

How 5G can improve emergency response efforts during extreme weather

“People didn’t die from the smoke. People didn’t die from the fire. People died because they didn’t know something was coming,” said Joseph Solis, former 911 dispatch employee and police officer, on the 2017 California wildfires. The increasing need for disaster response is down to one simple and depressing fact — these instances are becoming […]

Commentary

Smart cities: What really makes them smart?

Recently, I had the pleasure of taking part in the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress in Singapore, where leaders from around the world gathered to discuss the future of mobility. My presentation – Emerging Mobility Solutions and Smart Cities – was among many that explored vital mobility topics, from technology innovation to data management to sustainability […]

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Commentaries

Commentaries are contributed, non-commercial and educational articles that subject matter experts write for American City & County. If you would like to submit an exclusive commentary, click here to view our guidelines.

Highlights

test

The future of carbon emissions and cities lies in green buildings

With an historic investment in public spaces, Philadelphia’s Rebuild program is committed to equity in the process

Commentary

How cities can react and protect residents and small businesses from coronavirus

Commentary

GIS for smart cities: Turning data into action

Commentary

Helping vulnerable populations in the face of pandemic

Commentary

Cities and counties face fiscal challenges in the pandemic era

Exclusive

Equal opportunity for the American Dream

Article

3 tips for mitigating the ransomware threat to government offices

Commentary

Municipal leaders should improve property registries to combat property blight

Commentary

In a new data decade, constituent experience reigns

Commentary

How 5G can improve emergency response efforts during extreme weather

Commentary

Smart cities: What really makes them smart?

WHITE PAPERS

Supercharge your ERP: How ERPs and Purpose-Built Solutions Work Together to Future-Proof Your Digital Strategy

Five Best Practices for Modern Digital Permitting and Licensing

Mechanizing the Mop: How modernized floor cleaning technologies are delivering powerful competitive advantages

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Digital Property Tax Collection: Tales from the Trenches of Modernization

Mind the Development Gaps: Keep Growth on Track by Aligning Planning, Zoning, Permitting, Licensing, and Enterprise Asset Management

Reporting and Compliance for Grant Funding

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Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

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