Data centers have made frequent headlines as communities have taken varying positions on them. For some, concerns about environmental impact, energy consumption, noise, property values and other angles have led to leaders to say their town is not the place for them, while other communities have worked with data center developers and granted approvals for their development after exploring the essentials. On this episode, we talk with Statesville City Manager Ron Smith about the conversation and steps taken in his community with regard to a data center slated for a near-future groundbreaking and what advice he has for other local governments as the topic continues to make rounds.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, is the federal legislation requiring equal access to jobs and public places for people with disabilities. It also applies to the public digital realm, like with government websites and apps -- and deadlines are coming up for local governments to get into compliance. The League has been putting out info to help municipalities understand and meet the federal requirements ​and has a hub on its website with resources and explanations​. For this episode, we've put it into conversational form with an expert answering common questions and offering tips to understand the why, how and when.

Public leaders often find themselves in situations of disagreement -- and that's not inherently bad. "Effective leadership isn't about avoiding disagreement," says Matt Lehrman, a civic facilitator and past CityVision keynote speaker. He adds: "Disagreement isn't just natural; it's necessary." On this half-hour episode, Lehrman of Social Prosperity Partners circles back with Municipal Equation to go over the overarching importance of a shared sense of purpose and effective communication points so leaders can discuss disagreements and other intersections productively and fulfill the reality that our communities' people depend on it.

Local governments are always looking for ways to get kids involved. Meanwhile, millions of skaters across the U.S. are doing their thing -- often to the irritation of business owners and law enforcement. On this episode, we look at the big things that happen when kids and government get together to develop public skateparks, a solution that takes away tension, encourages civic involvement and celebrates freedom and creativity. It's no wonder they often end up being the most popular feature of the local parks system. Listen in for practical advice from the Tony Hawk Foundation, lessons from a police captain who did an about-face with the local skating community, progress from a city currently developing a skatepark, and unquestionable testimony from kids who've benefited from the free, 24-hour public skatepark in their town. Show notes: UPDATE 12/7/17 Curbed article featuring this episode - https://www.curbed.com/2017/12/7/16746468/design-parks-skateboarding-teens Skatepark advice and financial help - http://tonyhawkfoundation.org Public Skatepark Development Guide - http://publicskateparkguide.org Rodgers Family Skate Plaza, Apex, N.C. - https://www.apexnc.org/485/Trackside-Skate-Plaza News story from the Skate Plaza's opening in 2015 - http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/southwest-wake-news/article30160455.html Morganton, N.C., skatepark in the works - http://www.morgantonnc.gov/index.php/government/city-manager/public-information-office/news-releases/2579-skate-park-moves-forward

A preview of Episode 27.

We've all heard about the hard times that honeybees are going through and the huge implications for us all. But how do cities fit into all this? There's a surprising compatibility between cities and bees, and a role local governments can play. This episode comes just ahead of National Pollinator Week (June 19-25, though some honor it all month). To celebrate, we're joined by Bee Downtown, Bee City USA, and other voices covering the North Carolina cities of West Jefferson, Davidson, Asheville, Durham and beyond. Loads of trivia and insights on this one. Show notes: Bee Downtown - http://beedowntown.org Bee City USA - http://www.beecityusa.org The Town of Davidson Becomes the 37th Bee City USA in the Nation - http://www.ci.davidson.nc.us/CivicSend/ViewMessage/message?id=33089 USDA Colony Collapse Disorder and Honey Bee Health Action Plan - https://www.ree.usda.gov/ree/news/CCD-HBH_Action_Plan_05-19-2015-Dated-FINAL.pdf Agriculture Research Service info on honeybee health - https://www.ars.usda.gov/oc/br/ccd/index/#public Skeptoid episode and transcript, "Colony Collapse Disorder: Science and Pseudoscience" - https://skeptoid.com/episodes/4524 Pollinator Week - http://pollinator.org/pollinatorweek/ News story, "A third of the nation's honeybee colonies died last year. Why you should care." - https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/05/26/third-nations-honeybee-colonies-died-last-year-why-you-should-care/348418001/

From a distant land, an iPhone memo to stand in for our usual off-week preview.

There are so many cities and towns right now on amazing rebounds in the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. But what's missing? As innovation economies grow, we keep hearing more and more about the need for "inclusive innovation" in cities. But are we clear on what that entails? On this episode, we head out to Durham, N.C. -- an innovation-heavy city surging with activity -- to meet up with an authority on the subject. Christopher Gergen, an entrepreneurial leader and head of inclusive innovation collaborative Forward Cities, says the stakes are nothing to ignore. Listen and hear why. Show notes: Christopher Gergen, Forward Cities - http://www.forwardcities.org/convenings/2015/durham/forward-cities-staff/Christopher-Gergen.aspx Forward Cities main page - http://www.forwardcities.org @forwardcities - https://twitter.com/ForwardCities TechCrunch, "As tech startups surge in cities, inclusive economic growth must be a priority" - https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/10/as-tech-startups-surge-in-cities-inclusive-economic-growth-must-be-a-priority/ Pittsburgh's Roadmap for Inclusive Innovation - http://pittsburghpa.gov/innovation-performance/innovationroadmap/index.html Gergen's previous appearance on Municipal Equation, "The Five Levers of the Local Innovation Ecosystem" - https://soundcloud.com/municipalequation/ep-03 InnovateNC - http://innovatenc.org 2016 Southern City article, "How to Drive Innovation in any Community " - https://www.nclm.org/programs-services/publications/southern-city/2016/2016-07/Pages/HowtoDriveInnovationinanyCommunity.aspx#.WSNK4u1tmUk

A preview of Episode 25

Do autonomous vehicles or driverless cars still sound futuristic to you? Even if deployments are planned for just a few years away? That's right, this technology is developing so quickly that it's catching a lot of local policymakers off-guard. Experts say it's time for cities of all sizes to put some serious thought into what will be a major change in how we get from A to B. For cities, that means understanding the implications, considering the unknowns, and thinking about policy. But with the technology so fresh and incomplete, where would a city even begin with that? That's our focus on this episode. We're joined once again by Nicole Dupuis from the National League of Cities, which just released a report with guidance on the subject. According to Dupuis, "Absolutely, we need to take this seriously." And another question: Will future generations know the feeling of passing a driver's test? There's a lot to ponder on this episode. Show notes: NLC report, "Autonomous Vehicles: A Policy Preparation Guide" - http://nlc.org/AVPolicy NLC press release, "New Autonomous Vehicle Guide Helps Cities Prepare for a Driverless Future" - http://www.nlc.org/article/new-autonomous-vehicle-guide-helps-cities-prepare-for-a-driverless-future CityLab story, "The Self-Driving Dilemma" - https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2017/05/the-self-driving-dilemma/525171/?utm_source=nl__link3_050417 Bloomberg Philanthropies report, "Taming the Autonomous Vehicle: A Primer for Cities" - https://www.bbhub.io/dotorg/sites/2/2017/05/TamingtheAutonomousVehicleSpreadsPDFreleaseMay3rev2.pdf USDOT's Federal Automated Vehicles Policy - https://www.transportation.gov/AV Deloitte piece, "Securing the future of mobility: Addressing cyber risk in self-driving cars and beyond" - https://dupress.deloitte.com/dup-us-en/focus/future-of-mobility/cybersecurity-challenges-connected-car-security.html?id=us:2sm:3tw:4mobilitym:5eng:6Consulting:20170501:fom,fom%20:deloittestratop&linkId=36955724 GovTech story, "Autonomous Cars Will Change the Insurance World" - http://www.govtech.com/fs/Autonomous-Cars-Will-Change-the-Insurance-World.html?utm_content=bufferebbf1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

A preview of Episode 24.

A preview of Episode 23.

As America develops, how often do you pause to listen? To the places undergoing active change? Or those preserved in time? To the sounds that truly identify a location, whether natural or developed? On this episode -- headphones required this time! -- we talk about the connections and influences we can develop with specific places when we pause to take them for what they are in the moment, via active listening. Many have taken to field recording, to capture what's around them for analysis -- in some cases highly scientific, and influential of public policy. Listen in. Show notes: Anne Guthrie's Urban Omnibus piece with field recordings, "Tune In: Soundscapes of New York" - http://urbanomnibus.net/2015/05/tune-in-soundscapes-of-new-york/ Anne Guthrie, Arup - http://thoughts.arup.com/post/userposts/212 Donald Best, Raleigh Recording Co. field recordings - https://soundcloud.com/raleighrecordingco USDOT noise map - https://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/press_releases/bts015_17 SONYC - https://wp.nyu.edu/sonyc/ New York Times, "To Create a Quieter City, They're Recording the Sounds of New York" - https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/07/nyregion/to-create-a-quieter-city-theyre-recording-the-sounds-of-new-york.html?_r=2 Noisy ice-cream truck? - http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/3019/noise-from-ice-cream-truck

One of Municipal Equation's favorite topics to cover is the kind of partnership and idea-sharing that can make success easier for everyone. When the City of Marion learned about a commerce-boosting concept that seemed to work for other cities, they tried it, and it worked for them. When the City of Sanford learned about it from Marion, they tried it, and it worked for them, too. In this instance, it was two cities in separate parts of the state with the initiative to directly trade know-how, and it went so well that Sanford circled back and helped Marion with resources. On this episode, we dig into that idea-sharing, how it started, and how it all worked, joined by leaders from both cities to hear about the GEM program in Marion and the RISE program in Sanford and how they've worked with residents to create a more vibrant local business scene. Marion's GEM program Sanford's RISE program https://www.nclm.org/

A preview of Episode 22

Sure, perspectives vary on public art. But on this episode we visit a small southern city with a ton of buy-in for art as a transformative tool -- for revitalization, community pride, local history, economic development -- all starting with publicly facilitated yet privately financed murals. And then, for our host, comes a funny coincidence. Hear what it's all about on this episode of Municipal Equation, from the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Show notes: City of Sanford - http://www.sanfordnc.net Mayor Chet Mann on Facebook (Timeline includes pics from our walking tour) - https://www.facebook.com/MayorChetMann/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE Mural Art Trail Map - http://www.sanfordnc.net/sanfordarttrail.pdf "Statewide podcast to highlight Sanford's Murals" - https://rantnc.com/2017/03/21/preview-statewide-podcast-to-highlight-sanfords-murals/ "Mann shares vision for public art" (paywall) - http://www.sanfordherald.com/news/mann-shares-vision-for-public-art/article_d23b8cc8-02b6-11e7-8eee-27564a5a5133.html "Sanford preserves its history with series of downtown murals" - http://wncn.com/2016/08/25/sanford-preserves-its-history-with-series-of-downtown-murals/ "More murals on the way in 2017" - http://welcometosanford.com/index.php/2017/01/15/downtown-murals-way-2017/ Scott Nurkin, The Mural Shop - http://themuralshop.com The Mural Shop on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/themuralshop/

Preview of Episode 21: More Than Public Art by NC League of Municipalities

No doubt you've heard of sister cities. You probably even have a vague idea, at least, of the concept. Perhaps your town has a sister city in a far-off country. But do you know the origin of sister cities? How the concept took off? And what it's evolved to? And that it's greased the track for huge business relationships? And probably even saved lives? It's fascinating when you dig in. We do so on this episode. Show notes: http://sister-cities.org/ http://www.sistercitiesofcary.org/ http://sistercities-burlington.org/ https://d.lib.ncsu.edu/collections/catalog/AV2_FM_296-people2people https://www.youtube.com/user/SisterCitiesIntl

Preview of Episode 20, about Sister Cities.

A local police department is trying to change perceptions between officers and youths -- via unscripted, uncoached, one-on-one conversations broadcast out to the world in a high-quality web series. Real moments, both candid and heavy, drive each episode of "The Other Side," which seeks to not only humanize police officers but also highlight how simply talking eye-to-eye at a relaxed pace can build trust, rapport and understanding in a world where distrust, fear and misconception can run wild. On this episode, we talk with the Fuquay-Varina (North Carolina) Police Department and video production company Amazing Studios about how the series came to be and how it's been received around town. Show notes: Full episodes of 'The Other Side' - http://www.fuquay-varina.org/783/The-Other-Side-Videos Homepage - www.otherside.tv Fuquay-Varina Police Department on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fvpolice/ Amazing Studios - http://amazingstudiosinc.com Past episode, 'Restarting the Law Enforcement Conversation' - https://soundcloud.com/municipalequation/ep-06

A preview of Episode 19.

It's okay to admit you're not fully up to speed on "smart cities" or the "Internet of Things." A lot of people aren't. The talk is so ubiquitous that it might feel like a runaway topic that's tough to break into. Or maybe you're from a small town and think smart-cities and IoT are more of a big-city conversation. But it concerns just about everybody, everywhere. So what does it really mean? As initiatives and projects multiply in the focus of smart cities and IoT -- and while the federal government is actively soliciting comment on a new plan to collaborate with local communities toward smart-city enhancements -- this episode explains the who-what-when-where-why to get us all up on the essentials. Because now is the time to know. Show notes: -Draft "Smart Cities and Communities Federal Strategic Plan: Exploring Innovation Together" and Request for Comments https://www.nitrd.gov/news/RFI-SCC-Federal-Strategic-Plan.aspx -NLC report: "Trends in Smart City Development" http://www.nlc.org/article/new-report-on-smart-cities-released-by-national-league-of-cities -News story, "3 Insights from NLC's Smart Cities Report" http://www.statetechmagazine.com/article/2017/02/3-insights-nlc-s-smart-cities-report -News story, "Greensboro to Participate in National 'Smart City' Program in March" http://wunc.org/post/greensboro-participate-national-smart-city-program-march#stream/0 -News story, "Envisioning Smart Cities" https://smartcitiesworld.net/news/news/envisioning-smart-cities-1352?platform=hootsuite -Callback to EP 07, "The Value of 'Digital Mindsets' in Local Government" https://soundcloud.com/municipalequation/ep-07 -Thought piece, "A City is Not a Computer" https://placesjournal.org/article/a-city-is-not-a-computer/

A preview of Municipal Equation Episode 18.

What do Dobros and datasets have in common? We're about to find out. On this episode we talk with A'yen Tran and Jer Thorp of the New York-based Office for Creative Research to hear about their folksy initiative -- a finalist in the 2017 Knight Cities Challenge, no less -- to strengthen civic engagement via bluegrass music. Mystified? Well, the modern wave of data in municipal policymaking can sometimes mystify, too, at least when put in the form of charts and graphs for public consumption. Could data-fied mountain string music -- and lessons from the past that changed the history of bluegrass -- strike a new chord? Listen and learn why this novel approach is a Knight Cities finalist. Show notes: A'yen Tran, Jer Thorp and the Office for Creative Research - https://ocr.nyc Tran-authored piece, "Cultural Data Collection in Appalachia" - https://medium.com/memo-random/cultural-data-collection-in-appalachia-9c4a9547e80f#.l39hmhnrp 2017 Knight Cities Challenge Finalists, including "That High Lonesome Data" - http://www.knightfoundation.org/articles/144-finalists-advance-in-2017-knight-cities-challenge GovTech coverage about the project - http://www.govtech.com/civic/Demystifying-Civic-Data-Through-Song-and-10-Other-Civic-Tech-Finalists-in-the-Knight-Cities-Challenge.html A front-porch tune from Bascom Lunsford - https://youtu.be/FS_BeQMWUEA

Emergencies happen, and sometimes at scales that surprise us. We can shrug, or we can invest that sensitivity. That goes for all of us, and our shared stakes in the kind of local governance that can keep vital functions going for communities amid disruptive wildcards like hurricanes or other natural disasters. More than a basic conversation for our cities and towns, it's filled with varying nuance, science and new technologies for better outcomes. Deeply familiar with the subject is Bill Hollingsed, the former Waynesville police chief and current executive director of the NC Association of Chiefs of Police, who joins us on this episode to talk through the points. They include what we've learned about our sense of readiness since the fall 2024 devastation from Hurricane Helene, very much on our minds as 2025's hurricane season is soon to begin. Visit the NC League of Municipalities and learn about all it has to offer at https://www.nclm.org/.

A preview of the next Municipal Equation

Are we catching up to pop-fiction's futuristic portrayal of DNA in crimesolving? How about a technology that can sketch up an image of a suspect based solely on a sample of his or her DNA? The Fayetteville, North Carolina, Police Department is one of just a few local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. openly using such a tool. Applying it to a decade-old, unsolved local case of a serial rapist, the FPD is catching new tips after releasing facial renderings based on analysis of the perpetrator's DNA -- a potentially important development, as victims didn't get a clear look at his face and could only give authorities limited descriptions. FPD says it's using this innovation cautiously but wants to show the public that the department is willing to try cutting-edge techniques to bring about justice. Hear how it works on this episode. Show notes: Complete details about the 'Ramsey Street Rapist' suspect - https://nextdoor.com/agency-post/nc/fayetteville/fayetteville-police-department/fayetteville-police-department-media-release-38457122/ Report leads on the case to FPD at 910-483-8477 or 910-433-1855 Fayetteville Observer story about 'Ramsey Street Rapist,' with composite images of suspect - http://www.fayobserver.com/news/local/fayetteville-police-closer-to-catching-ramsey-street-rapist/article_1509b1c0-6bac-5384-8c09-958a510467eb.html Police release DNA-based photos of 'Ramsey Street Rapist' - http://wncn.com/2016/12/14/fayetteville-police-release-dna-based-photos-of-ramsey-street-rapist/ More details - http://abc11.com/news/fayetteville-pd-hopes-new-technology-helps-catch-rapist/1657206/ NBC News from 2014 on "dying art" of police sketches - http://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/dying-art-forensic-sketch-artists-face-digital-future-n41421 AP story on oldschool police sketch artistry - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-3512027/Sketchy-work-Police-artists-nab-bad-guys-pencil-paper.html BBC coverage of Alec Jeffreys and DNA - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8245312.stm More - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5405470.stm

Our 2016 year-end.

When we think of the word "brand" in an advertising sense, surely we first picture the Nike Swoosh, or the Coca-Cola can, or the Ford medallion, or, who knows, maybe the Quaker Oats guy. And for good reason. Their owners put forth gargantuan levels of money and strategy to make you think of them before their competitors. But what about when branding is the project of a local government? It's been happening a lot over the past decade, as cities and towns across the country seek to freshen or sharpen their images, most often to win new businesses, residents and economic growth. Just like with the private sector, town branding or rebranding is a delicate process that requires steady navigation to stay out of the ditch. What are the best practices? What's the secret? What happens when a town branding goes right? Or wrong? On this episode we talk with a town that's embarking on a branding project, another town that recently completed one, and a researcher who's written a lot on the subject. If your town is thinking about branding or rebranding, you might want to give this one a listen. Show notes: Southern City article, "Being a Brand Apart"- http://www.nclm.org/programs-services/publications/southern-city/2016/2016-05/Pages/BeingaBrandApart.aspx Town of Morrisville, "Live Connected. Live Well." - http://www.townofmorrisville.org/index.aspx?NID=794 City of Newton branding initiative - http://newtonnc.gov/brand/ Town of Fuquay-Varina, "A Dash More" - http://www.fuquay-varina.org/416/Fuquay-Varina---A-Dash-More Staci Zavattaro - https://www.cohpa.ucf.edu/directory/staci-zavattaro/ Zavattaro on Twitter, with links to books - https://twitter.com/staciwithaz

A look ahead at Episode 14 of the Municipal Equation podcast from the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

What do drones mean for local government? How can city hall regulate these unmanned aerial systems? What are the rules to fly one? And -- perhaps most interestingly -- how might local governments adopt drones for better service delivery? Or even to save lives? On this episode, we hear from national and state experts in the public and private sectors, and from one town already flying its own drone. And yes, as drones are commonly outfitted with high-resolution cameras, the discussion didn't get away without a discussion of privacy issues. Don't miss. Show notes: National League of Cities report, "Cities and Drones" - http://www.nlc.org/find-city-solutions/city-solutions-and-applied-research/governance/cities-and-drones N.C. League of Municipalities video, "Educational Forum on Unmanned Aerial Systems, Drones" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKK_loUcbg0 FAA drone info - https://www.faa.gov/uas/ NCDOT drone info - https://www.ncdot.gov/aviation/UAS/ YouTube rabbit hole, "Drones" - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%22drone%22 Town of Manteo - http://www.townofmanteo.com/

Preview of Episode 13, a look at where drones and local government intersect.

Place your order! Local governments are taking after food trucks and serving up convenience at a curb near you. That's on this episode of Municipal Equation, the podcast from the N.C. League of Municipalities about today's challenges, trends and concepts for cities and towns. We talk with the City of Boston about its City Hall To Go program, which converted an old food truck into a city hall on wheels. Yes, that means it travels from hotspot to hotspot to make it easier for residents to connect with local government and access services. Since Boston pioneered it four years ago, several other U.S. cities have joined the fleet -- most recently Durham, North Carolina, with whom we discuss the program. Could it work in your hometown? Show notes: Boston's City Hall To Go - https://www.boston.gov/departments/city-hall-go Durham's City Hall On The Go - http://durhamnc.gov/2883/City-Hall-on-the-Go CityLab, "In Houston, Taco Trucks Serve Up Voter Registration" - http://www.citylab.com/politics/2016/09/food-trucks-serve-tacos-with-a-side-of-voter-registration/502034/

A preview of Episode 12.

Mash 'play' for a personal crash-course in local economic development -- with high-value tools, tips and insider knowledge -- in this special, extended episode featuring a couple of pros who know both sides of the business -- public and private -- and where they can pair up to make a difference for cities and towns of any size. It's important to recognize that economic development isn't just one thing. It can take one of many directions, each with its own terrain and set of tools for positive outcomes. Our expert guests, Mac McCarley and Ron Kimble -- among spotlight speakers at the League's recent CityVision 2016 conference, where the bulk of this episode was recorded -- break it down for us and offer hugely important know-how. Anyone can learn from this episode, whether you're a locally elected official, a town administrator or resident curious about what all goes into business recruitment or downtown development. Don't miss this one. Show notes: Ron Kimble - http://charlottenc.gov/CityManager/AboutUs/Pages/Interim%20City%20Manager%20Ron%20Kimble.aspx Mac McCarley - http://www.parkerpoe.com/attorneys/dewitt-f-mccarley CityVision 2016 coverage - https://www.nclm.org/PROGRAMS-SERVICES/PUBLICATIONS/LINCED-IN/2016/Pages/default.aspx?issue=38 Followup notes from Episode 10: New report/manual, 11/16, "Selecting Trees to Grow in Cities" - http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass/2016/11/03/selecting-trees-to-grow-in-cities/ CityLab article, "The Big Green Payoff From Bigger Urban Forests" - http://www.citylab.com/design/2016/10/the-big-green-payoff-from-bigger-urban-forests/505913/ Smithsonian.com, "Why Public Health Researchers Are Looking to Urban Trees" - http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-public-health-researchers-are-looking-urban-trees-180960985/?no-ist Governing article, "Phoenix's Ambitious Plan to Beat the Desert Heat" - http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-phoenix-shade.html

With any profession, hobby, cause or life experience, there's community. The NC League of Municipalities itself is an expression of that, and so are the many affiliate groups and friend organizations that seek to advance focus on nuanced issues as specifically understood by, for example, municipal clerks, or local government attorneys, or budget officers, or women serving in public office, or the many other groups that represent distinct communities or expertise. These groups create important opportunities for profession-boosting, idea-sharing and individual input that can enhance group perspective. On this episode, we speak with a North Carolina mayor who was one of just a few mayors from around the world selected for a special peer group and leadership initiative. That mayor, Leonardo Williams of Durham, joins us on this episode to talk about his experience interacting with counterparts from different continents, with different forms of government and different dynamics on the ground, to see what they might have found in common and why it was worth the time. The NC League of Municipalities is a member-driven organization founded in 1908. Read more.

Preview of Episode 11, all about local economic development tools and how to negotiate with business prospects.

We enter a better kind of urban jungle on this episode all about the science and economics of trees in cities -- way more interesting than you might think at first. Yep, there's a big economic argument for more trees in our cityscapes. Our guests here apply scientifically backed dollars-and-cents appraisals to the trees that line our streets or green our downtowns. And they discuss tools you can access to tally such values where you live. And, yes, we also discuss the much-harder-to-quantify relationship that humans and trees have shared since the dawn of man -- and what that means for city neighborhoods lacking in greenery. A lot to think about -- and surely a few surprises -- in the episode. Show notes: Greg McPherson - http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/uesd/staff/gmcpherson/ Report, "Structure, function and value of street trees in California, USA" -http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/mcpherson/psw_2016_mcpherson004.pdf David Nowak - http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/people/dnowak iTree - http://www.itreetools.org Adam Dale - https://adamgdale.org Report, "Forecasting the Effects of Heat and Pests on Urban Trees: Impervious Surface Thresholds and the 'Pace-to-Plant' Technique" - http://ecoipm.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Dale_2016_Arb.pdf Jill Jonnes, "Urban Forests: A Natural History of Trees and People in the American Cityscape" - http://jilljonnes.com UPI story, "Tree growth slows as cities heat up" - http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2016/10/05/Tree-growth-slows-as-cities-heat-up/2081475676027/ Report, "Urban warming reduces aboveground carbon storage" -http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/283/1840/20161574 OpenTreeMap - https://www.opentreemap.org City of Raleigh Urban Forestry Division - http://www.raleighnc.gov/community/content/ParksRec/Articles/Programs/UrbanForestry/UFDivision.html NEWS AND REPORTS SINCE THIS EPISODE'S AIRING: New report, 11/16, "Selecting Trees to Grow in Cities" - http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass/ CityLab article, "The Big Green Payoff From Bigger Urban Forests" -http://www.citylab.com/design/2016/10/the-big-green-payoff-from-bigger-urban-forests/505913/ Smithsonian.com, "Why Public Health Researchers Are Looking to Urban Trees" - http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-public-health-researchers-are-looking-urban-trees-180960985/?no-ist Governing article, "Phoenix's Ambitious Plan to Beat the Desert Heat" -http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-phoenix-shade.html

A preview of Episode 10, a look at the science of city trees.

A question dangles before populous states that grew with low-density development in the 20th century: What do we do now? Planning and development preferences aren't what they used to be. Today they favor higher-density, walkable, mixed use layouts, and local governments far and wide are wondering how to best reshape the traditionally spread-out suburban spaces. "What is the local government's role in this transition? How does a city or county encourage the redevelopment of suburban spaces? And what are the practical and political implications?" Those are questions posed by UNC School of Government Assistant Professor Adam Lovelady, our guest on this episode. If one thing's for sure, he says, it's a complex issue. Show notes: Report, "Reshaping Suburban Spaces: Lessons from North Carolina Cities" - https://www.sog.unc.edu/publications/reports/reshaping-suburban-spaces-lessons-north-carolina-cities

Preview of Episode Nine, another look at suburbia and where it's going.

Joel Kotkin, a prolific writer of articles and books on urbanism, demographics, city planning and density, takes a different angle. Often at odds with convention or popular beliefs on planning, the suburbs, the patterns of millennials and so on, Kotkin in his latest book -- "The Human City: Urbanism for the Rest of Us" -- argues that ongoing focuses on high-density layouts and other popular planning approaches don't serve most people well and that the suburbs deserve much more love than they get. We hear why on this interesting and challenging episode with the man whom The New York Times calls "America's uber-geographer." We also hear why he thinks local governments should be allowed to decide their own policies with fewer constraints from the state and federal levels. Listen in. Show notes: http://www.joelkotkin.com "The Human City" - http://www.joelkotkin.com/content/006-joels-books Kotkin article on local government authority - http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2016/09/16/local_govt_control_the_ignored_campaign_issue_131786.html Archive audio source - "The Dynamic American City" (1956, U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Preview of Episode Eight, a talk with Joel Kotkin.

Where's your local government with technology? Sensors? Automation? Readiness for self-driving vehicles? Teleportation? Kidding on that last one but, because we're in an age of exponential advances in technology and the Internet of Things, and with the consumer market now so accustomed to quick gratification and one-touch app services, there's pressure on government to act more quickly, streamlined and futuristic than ever before. ".... government just can't be immune to this massive change" in our culture and commerce, says William Eggers, executive director of Deloitte's Center for Government Insights. Eggers is our guest as we dive into today's digital technology, where it's going and how local governments can catch up. It's even an issue with government employee hiring and retention, he says. A lot to think about here. Show notes: William Eggers at Deloitte - http://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/profiles/weggers.html "Delivering on Digital" - http://www.deliveringondigital.com

A look ahead at Episode Seven, about the rate of technology, what today's consumers expect and what that means for local government.

In this extended episode all about law enforcement, we spend time with a number of police leaders ready to hit the reset button and create positive, new interaction between sworn officers and the public. But with so much tension in the air lately, what can actually be changed? What can police and the greater public learn from one another to create harmony? During a recent panel discussion arranged by the North Carolina League of Municipalities at the request of the state's Legislative Black Caucus, things got frank and clear, and we'll hear plenty of it here. Later, we'll check in on another challenge -- the search for best-practices with police body-cameras. We'll also learn from an expert about psychological reactions to active shooter situations and how a little bit of forethought can go a long way. And have you ever been a little nervous about meeting a stranger to complete a transaction for goods arranged online? We hear from one police department that's implemented a pretty simple solution. Tons of takeaways and ponderings on this episode. Show notes: Video of the full panel discussion featured - https://youtu.be/Dhidnbk1tcM Southern City magazine past issues - http://www.nclm.org/programs-services/publications/southern-city/Pages/default.aspx

In mid February, the League and its longtime friends at the N.C. Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) and western North Carolina region Councils of Governments held a second, large convening of governments -- local, state and federal -- in storm-hit Asheville to go over the latest in the post-Helene recovery work for western North Carolina, demonstrating again the power of same-page communication in a shared comeback that ultimately involves the entire state. The multimedia teams from the League and NCACC captured the full day's speakers and panels on video (view that playlist). The League assembled highlights for a digestible Municipal Equation episode here.

A look ahead at Episode Six, a special focus on police and public safety issues. Trust, technology, a changing conversation and some news you can definitely use.

What's your town doing with its government access television channel? Creatively, we mean. In Raleigh, North Carolina, city government is putting the spotlight on the local music scene with top-shelf live performances -- professionally produced, as good as anything you'll see on TV -- to in turn shine light on the city itself and humanize local government. Using city-owned or -operated venues to showcase public spaces or functions, Raleigh's government basically has its own Austin City Limits, with some extra, local flair to set it apart. The bands that perform even take the time to talk about their love for Raleigh. Could this be something your town could duplicate? Show notes: Oak City Sessions episodes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0mTYYBl2CE_gwkMKoVomQr8Xxzw7icl9

A preview of Episode Five, out Aug. 16, 2016.