Global Scans · Cities · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Smart cities are the talk of the town right now and so they should be to cope when over 60% of us will live in cities by 2030. E-bikes, Driverless- connected vehicles, buildings that talk to each other will help but many cities are susceptible to climate change and pandemics. Explore the issues faced by cities and the new ideas that will change the way urban dwellers live in the 21st century.

• [New] The world is now roughly in the middle of a dramatic transition as a result of four fundamental disruptive trends: growth and urbanization in emerging markets, technological disruption, increasing connectivity, and the ageing of populations. The London School of Economics and Political Science
• [New] India, Southeast Asia, and Middle Eastern smart cities are expected to create high-growth opportunities over the next decade. DataM Intelligence
• [New] Companies that establish early commercial presence in Level 4 urban corridors, particularly in geo-fenced smart city zones, will secure structural competitive advantages as regulatory frameworks mature globally. Persistence Market Research
• [New] As urban populations increase globally, smart city innovation is expected to remain one of the strongest IoT startup opportunities for years to come. Differ
• [New] Waymo has deployed robotaxis in major cities across the U.S. and plans to begin operations in London in 2026. Live Science
• [New] The obligation for cities with more than 20,000 residents to prepare climate change adaptation plans will only come into effect in 2028. SpringerLink
• [New] Geographic deployment scale - Waymo currently operates in more US cities and runs more rides per day than Tesla; Tesla's catch-up depends on the seven-city expansion completing through 2026-2027. BraivIQ
• [New] 96% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers plan to travel for a major sporting event in 2026, indicating a positive impact on city tourism and small-venue cities. Globe-Miami Times
• [New] In shrinking cities, housing policy will focus instead on how to consolidate built-up areas and move lower-income people out of thinning-out neighborhoods with half-empty schools and unsustainable infrastructure - as Detroit has started doing. George W. Bush Presidential Center
• [New] Cities across the Des Moines metro area and throughout Iowa are beginning to evaluate how a newly passed property tax bill could affect local budgets and public services. Words & Money
• [New] By the end of 2026, Amazon officials have said in their earnings call they plan to triple the overall size of their rural delivery network, expanding to more than 200 locations in more than 4,000 smaller cities, towns and rural communities. Cowboy State Daily
• [New] Rapid global urbanization, with 68% of the world's population projected to live in urban areas by 2050 (UN DESA), combined with 5G IoT deployment, AI-driven urban analytics, and government-mandated digital infrastructure investment programs are primary growth factors. Persistence Market Research
• [New] 68% of the global population will reside in urban areas by 2050, adding 2.5 billion more city dwellers, creating unprecedented demand for intelligent urban infrastructure managing traffic, energy, water, and public safety at scale across rapidly expanding municipal boundaries. Persistence Market Research
• [New] India's Department of Telecommunications launched 100 5G Use Case Labs at educational institutions under the national 5G Innovation Initiative, while South Korea's Ministry of Science allocated KRW 390 Bn to smart city 5G integration through 2027. Persistence Market Research
• [New] India, China, and Nigeria collectively account for 35% of projected global urban population growth between 2018 and 2050, positioning them as the world's most concentrated smart city technology procurement opportunities within a defined macro-regional investment horizon. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Asia Pacific is likely to be the fastest-growing region, with a projected CAGR of 27.18%, driven by rapid urbanization, expanding digital infrastructure, and large-scale deployment of connected technologies. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Over the next few weeks, Waymo will cover over 1,400 square miles across 11 cities-continuing to set the global benchmark for autonomous mobility at scale. Waymo
• [New] Waymo driverless taxis could be operating in Philadelphia by the end of the year, but city leaders and rideshare drivers are voicing concerns about safety and job security. FOX 29 Philadelphia
• [New] Tesla's robotaxi expansion targets 12 states by year-end, but fewer than 50 driverless vehicles will operate in 2026, far below Waymo's 10-city, 1M + weekly rides scale. Ainvest
• [New] Cities will have to close many schools, as Italy, Japan, and numerous U.S. cities are already doing. George W. Bush Presidential Center
• [New] The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to draw millions of foreign and domestic visitors, and individuals visiting or residing near host cities may be vulnerable to sex or labour trafficking by perpetrators seeking to exploit the surge in economic activity. / USA FinCEN.gov
• [New] Areas of New York City could be flooded by several feet of water during strong storms with projected rates in sea level rise. The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)

Last updated: 30 May 2026