Smart Cities Dive Outlook for 2023
In 2023, cities will continue to find innovative ways to address the challenges posed by economic headwinds and the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a possible recession, housing shortages, and changes in commuting behavior. They’ll also work to implement federal spending programs to electrify and decarbonize transportation and buildings.
The Smart Cities Dive editors are watching how city leaders
respond to these issues. Local governments will likely continue investing in affordable housing and changing policies to encourage more housing construction. They’ll also continue to rethink transportation design and street space and refocus their efforts on revitalizing downtowns that have struggled with fewer office workers.
Likewise, transit agencies face raising fares, cutting service or
looking for new funding sources to make up for lost revenue
caused by lower ridership on trains and buses. Local officials will also continue to electrify city vehicles and update their regulations to make it easier to install EV charging stations.
