Sustainable Cities and Communities

As business leaders and heads of state congregate at Davos for the 2018 World Economic Forum to explore solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, they will come across an innovative new way to get around town—public bus transportation.

The TOSA bus, developed by ABB, a Swiss technology company, isn’t just any bus; it’s an electric bus that can recharge its batteries in as little as 20 seconds by linking up to overhead flash-charging points as it makes stops along its route.

The TOSA bus is the latest in new public transportation initiatives in several cities worldwide that are incorporating sustainable technologies to deal with rapid population growth, climate change, and aging infrastructure.

Aramark is teaming with the NFL and PepsiCo, along with U.S. Bank Stadium partners, for a landmark sustainability project at Super Bowl LII – Rush2Recycle -- aimed to recover more than 90% -- more than 40 tons -- of stadium waste on game day. The project is part of the NFL’s initiative to reduce the environmental impact of Super Bowl LII activities and leave a “green” legacy throughout the area.

Subaru of America, Inc. announced today its continued sponsorship of the Philadelphia Flower Show for the 17th consecutive year. A “must experience” horticulture event, the annual flower show will run from March 3rd through March 11th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, with revenues supporting the charitable efforts of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). This year’s theme, “Wonders of Water," will celebrate the beauty and life-sustaining interplay of horticulture and water.

The insights uncovered in Black & Veatch’s 2018 Strategic Directions: Smart Cities & Utilities Report demonstrate a growing awareness among communities and utilities that modern, digital infrastructure such as data collection networks, infrastructure automation and advanced communication systems are the key components of today’s smart city initiatives. It is only through these systems that cities and utilities can optimize operations to realize the promise of the smart city – and create a sustainable future.

The Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Infrastructure Grant Program opened its 2018 application process today, offering new opportunities to make recycling convenient for communities across the country. Applications are open for submission at kab.org/parkrecycling through Feb. 16, 2018.

Southern California Edison received approval today to move forward on four pilot projects that will help to expand electric transportation. Transportation electrification is key to meeting California’s 2030 greenhouse gas and air pollution reduction goals.

With a common goal of improving recycling access and increasing recycling rates by educating consumers about the value of recycling, the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) and Keep America Beautiful announced their partnership today at the 2018 Keep America Beautiful National Conference, taking place Jan. 17-19 at The Fairmont Dallas Hotel in Dallas, Texas. IBWA will become a national sponsor of America Recycles Day, a Keep America Beautiful national initiative that takes place annually on and in the weeks leading into Nov. 15.

Next City today announced the launch of its newest editorial section, The Bottom Line, made possible with support from Citi Community Development. Through enterprise reporting, news coverage and op-eds written by public and private sector leaders, The Bottom Line will explore new and promising programs, partnerships, policies, technologies and financial tools emerging in response to increasing inequality, household financial vulnerability and other troubling economic trends affecting American cities. Visit The Bottom Line at nextcity.org/thebottomline.

Black & Veatch's new Strategic Directions Report reflects rising role of Big Data across infrastructure systems

Bob Daylor is a civil engineer and senior consultant for land development and land tenure issues at Tetra Tech. He has 50 years’ experience in facility planning, design, and construction and specializes in master planning and permitting projects at the water’s edge and in or near ecologically-sensitive landscapes. He holds professional registrations in civil engineering and land surveying and has held several elected and appointed city and regional planning positions.