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] Drivers in the safest U.S. cities can go years longer between collisions, reducing risk and helping keep insurance costs more manageable, according to Allstate's 2026 America's Best Drivers Report. Allstate
• [New] Temperatures in the major cities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will rise to highs of 45 °C, 45 °C and 44 °C while dipping to lows of 33 °C, 35 °C and 34 °C. Khaleej Times
• [New] Asia is forecasted to be the fastest-growing region with a CAGR of 6.8% from 2026 to 2032, backed by rapid urbanization and government initiatives aimed at improving public transport systems. 6wresearch
• [New] United Airlines has announced the largest international expansion in its history for 2027, adding 10 new cities across Europe and Asia, eight of which will have no nonstop service from any other U.S. airline. Luxury Travel Expert
• [New] Upon opening, Shanghai is expected to become the only city worldwide home to all eight of Marriott International's luxury brands. Luxury Travel Expert
• [New] New York City recently launched its Urban Forest Plan with the goal of increasing tree canopy cover to 30% by 2040. Eno Center for Transportation
• [New] Asia is recognized as the fastest-growing region, anticipated to achieve a CAGR of 6.5% from 2026 to 2032, prompted by rising urbanization and an increasing number of health-conscious consumers. 6wresearch
• [New] Fastest Growing Region: Asia Pacific remains the fastest-growing region through 2033, supported by urbanization and expanding organized retail across India, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Persistence Market Research
• [New] India's heat pump water heater demand is expected to increase as urbanization, electrification, and domestic manufacturing capabilities continue to expand. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Almost every taxi ride in an Australian capital city will be driverless within a decade, reckons the Melbourne designer who created the world's first purpose-built robotaxi. The Sydney Morning Herald
• [New] Dubai's 2040 Urban Master Plan, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is a transformative roadmap to make Dubai the world's best city to live in by 2040. Homebaba
• [New] Amazon Prime Air plans to launch drone delivery services in select U.S. cities by 2026, aiming to enhance last-mile logistics. 6wresearch
• [New] Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region with a share of around 31.2%, as rapid urbanization, expanding vehicle ownership, and large-scale infrastructure development are creating significant demand for advanced traffic management systems. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Amazon.com Inc. plans to expand its Prime Air drone delivery service to nearly 500 cities and towns in the U.S. by the end of 2026, a significant scaling of an operation that currently serves customers in seven states. M4SNews
• [New] Etihad Rail's commercial passenger trains, expected to launch in 2026, are designed to run at up to 200 km/h, cutting the Abu Dhabi to Dubai journey to under an hour - around 57 minutes - across an 11-city network. Relocate MENA
• [New] Etihad Rail will connect all the key Emirates and cities of the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, and Al Dhaid. Keltandcorealty
• [New] The high-speed passenger service will serve every key city of the UAE. Keltandcorealty
• [New] Already burdened by hot, humid equatorial weather, global warming, intense poverty, rapid urbanization, and a lack of cooling infrastructure, tropical city officials now face a powerful 2026-2027 El Nino that could put millions of vulnerable urban dwellers at risk. Eco-business
• [New] Cities in Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia will remain hotspots. Eco-business
• [New] Asia Pacific is projected to record the fastest growth during the forecast period due to rising disposable incomes, rapid urbanization, and expanding health awareness. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The Asia region is anticipated to register the fastest growth rate, with a CAGR of around 9% from 2026 to 2032, facilitated by increasing urbanization and governmental support for technological innovation in countries such as China and India. 6wresearch
• [New] Gig Economy Explosion: The gig workforce is expected to add 20 lakh (2 million) jobs in 2026 alone, fueled by the expansion of quick-commerce and delivery services into Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Drishti IAS

Last updated: 05 September 2026