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] AI driven smart communities: Upcoming developments like Dubai South or Expo City will incorporate shared AI infrastructure: community climate control, closing census charging, synchronized drones and more to a connected smart home hub. Top Luxury Property
• [New] Flying taxis could happen in big cities as soon as 2026, pending approval by the FAA, and one operator of airplane and helicopter landing sites is on the hunt for spots to launch and land air taxis. Govtech
• [New] The lasting impact could be a fundamental reimagining of urban transportation, offering a faster, quieter, and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional ground-based travel, thereby reducing congestion and carbon footprints in cities worldwide. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] Musk said its Robotaxis, currently being piloted in San Francisco, California and Austin, Texas, will be available across many cities across the United States by the end of the year and to half of all Americans. Al Jazeera
• [New] The first four stations for the passenger service will be in major cities: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Passenger services will connect 11 cities and regions across the UAE, stretching from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east, with stops including Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Al Dhaid. Gulf Business
• [New] North America and Europe are mature markets, driven by regulatory frameworks and high consumer awareness, while Asia Pacific is expected to experience the fastest growth, fueled by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and environmental initiatives in China, India, and Southeast Asia. openpr
• [New] Choose from concerts, bars and clubs, there are endless opportunities for fun in the most captivating cities and towns of Italy. Italia.it
• [New] As rising global temperatures cause extreme weather events like hurricanes to become more severe, cities around the world are racing to improve their infrastructure in the hopes of mitigating the devastation caused by natural disasters. Yahoo News
• [New] In cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin, the integration of autonomous vehicles could make a significant impact on local tourism. Travel And Tour World
• [New] By 2050, nearly 1,000 cities will experience regular extreme heat events, which highlights the urgency for cities to plan and adapt. Travel And Tour World
• [New] A sweeping history of some of New York City's most tumultuous times and an origin story of the politics of austerity, Fear City is essential for anyone seeking to understand the resurgence of fiscal conservatism today. Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation of the State of
• [New] Of the 25 largest American cities, 20 are indicating some fiscal difficulty in 2026 and beyond. Engineering News-Record
• [New] A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces will attempt to eliminate Ukrainian ground lines of communication in northwestern Kherson City by intensifying multiple launch rocket system and air strikes. Critical Threats
• Lithuania's plan for the ultra-fast broadband development aims to provide 100 Mbps by 2027 to households and public institutions in cities and rural areas and supports the Gigabit society 2025 targets. Shaping Europe's digital future
• Embracing modular construction, BIM, sustainability, automation, and smart city solutions will shape the future of construction, making 2025 a year of transformative progress. thedesignhub
• The high-speed network, set to begin operations in 2026, will connect key UAE cities with travel times as low as 57 minutes. The Times Of India
• Cities around the world could save 725,000 lives a year by tackling climate change-related threats to health. Yale Center on Climate Change and Health
• Seattle launched its 2025-2026 Artificial Intelligence Plan, expanding policies, training, and tools to improve city services and promote responsible AI use. JD Supra
• If successful, the TINA tram could set a new standard for urban transport, offering smoother, quieter, and more efficient services for cities around the world. Travel And Tour World
• The Strategic Partnership Council will expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, smart cities, culture and innovation, while advancing diversification. ArgaamPlus
• By 2025 and beyond, augmented reality navigation will move from nice-to-have to standard expectation in airports, malls, hospitals, and smart cities. The Intellify -

Last updated: 11 October 2025