The smart city is coming to the United States. Economic, political and environmental objectives are driving the advent of a new urban vision — where technological and regulatory innovations, and mass decentralization of energy, converge for a more climate-friendly, interconnected metropolis.
The significant environmental benefits are becoming clearer. Transitioning to a low-carbon grid and implementing sustainable transportation, for example, can serve not only to mitigate climate change, but also to protect the health, longevity and economic well-being of urban communities. The financial implications, however, are less clear.
Politics vs. economics
The issue of climate change continues to draw a partisan response in the United States. President Trump — a champion of coal — has signalled a withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and an end to the Obama-era Clean Power Plan.
Since the 2016 election, many feared climate action and,