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

How governments can help older adults age in place during a housing crisis

As a shortage of 6.5 million homes confronts the nation, the population of the U.S. skews...

Adding resilience to roads without reconstruction

In Vermont this summer, torrential rains caused flooding of historic proportions, washing out...

How state governments can help revitalize workforce development

Siloed and disjointed workforce development ecosystems can’t keep up with the dynamic needs of...

Article

How governments can help older adults age in place during a housing crisis

As a shortage of 6.5 million homes confronts the nation, the population of the U.S. skews increasingly older. The lack of affordable housing, compounded with the growing population of Americans over age 65, means that older adults who desire to age in place are finding it much more difficult to stay in their communities. The […]

Article

Adding resilience to roads without reconstruction

In Vermont this summer, torrential rains caused flooding of historic proportions, washing out roads or covering them in feet of mud. And in some coastal areas, sea level rise is making ‘sunny-day’ flooding a twice-monthly occurrence when the moon’s cycles pull tides higher. Often, the hardest hit areas during such extreme weather events are communities’ […]

Commentary

How state governments can help revitalize workforce development

Siloed and disjointed workforce development ecosystems can’t keep up with the dynamic needs of today’s economy. Isolated departments across government, business, nonprofits and academia are sometimes too slow to adapt to new workforce needs or to adjust to new technologies—resulting in significant skills gaps and talent shortages. To keep pace, state agencies across the country […]

Commentary

Getting ahead of natural disasters: Field-tested planning best practices from San Mateo and Santa Cruz

Over 16 days at the beginning of this year, a state of emergency was declared in 51 of California’s 58 counties due to atmospheric rivers and winter storms. From storm surges, mudslides, downed trees, heavy snow, avalanches, power outages and road closures, to river and tributary floods, potential dam spills, as well as urban, residential, […]

Article

Before the storm: Using data to predict and manage climate risk

In the first five months of 2023 alone, the United States experienced 11 climate disaster events with confirmed losses of over $1 billion each. With June’s severe weather in the south, that number climbed to 12. Last year, there were 18 such disasters, costing more than $175 billion and 474 lives. Business and government leaders […]

Commentary

Five attributes every government agency needs from a successful partner

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how state and local governments work with outside partners to support government benefits programs. The pandemic brought new challenges and increased demand for services. State and local government leaders had to re-evaluate the role private companies could play. These leaders were able to understand which partners were best suited to help […]

Commentary

Supporting hurricane response in Puerto Rico with aerial imagery

When Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico in September of 2022, resultant flooding and landslides caused significant damage on the island. Local and federal government agencies and insurance companies needed to determine the location and extent of this damage in a timely manner for restoration and assessment. With such a large area of potential impact—Puerto Rico […]

Commentary

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 generations live, work and thrive. And it’s a place where green, efficient buildings are integrated with nature and resilient infrastructure ties our healthy and productive places together into communities. However, in the face of climate change, that […]

Commentary

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 families out of intergenerational poverty. Historically speaking, those same opportunities have traditionally been reserved for white men. According to the Bureau of Labor Statics, in 2020 more than 60 percent of construction workers were white, with only 5 percent identifying as Black […]

Commentary

4 reasons to maintain natural water systems

It has never been more important to understand the significance of preserving natural water systems, which are essential for sustaining the environment, providing economic benefits and defending nature. Here are four key reasons why we should take action to protect and preserve natural water systems. Protecting nature Preserving natural water systems is essential for protecting […]

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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

How governments can help older adults age in place during a housing crisis

Adding resilience to roads without reconstruction

How state governments can help revitalize workforce development

Article

How governments can help older adults age in place during a housing crisis

Article

Adding resilience to roads without reconstruction

Commentary

How state governments can help revitalize workforce development

Commentary

Getting ahead of natural disasters: Field-tested planning best practices from San Mateo and Santa Cruz

Article

Before the storm: Using data to predict and manage climate risk

Commentary

Five attributes every government agency needs from a successful partner

Commentary

Supporting hurricane response in Puerto Rico with aerial imagery

Commentary

The future of carbon emissions and cities lies in green buildings

Commentary

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

Commentary

4 reasons to maintain natural water systems

WHITE PAPERS

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

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