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] By 2027, China expects measurable progress in digital governance, streamlined services, and the rise of over fifty model digital cities. The RegTech
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period, driven by fast urbanization, digital initiatives by governments, and aggressive investments in 5G and smart infrastructure. SNS Insider pvt ltd
• [New] RTA was steadily progressing towards the commercial launch of the aerial taxi service in 2026, solidifying Dubai's position as the city of the future and a global hub for innovative and sustainable urban mobility solutions, combining efficient infrastructure with high quality of life. tradearabia
• [New] Cities will need to invest approximately 15-20% more in digital infrastructure to fully support autonomous vehicle integration. Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, Futu
• [New] Google's Waymo announced today that its autonomous robotaxi service will be available to the public in five new US cities - Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando - beginning in 2026. Sherwood News
• [New] India's cities are growing rapidly, with the urban population expected to approach 600 million in the next 15 years, up from around 480 million today. Prop News Time
• [New] India's future smart cities will thrive not on visible technology but on well-functioning, robust utility systems that support growth and attract investors. Prop News Time
• [New] Recent News and Project Developments Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation in India is advancing a large-scale waste-to-energy plant expected to generate 18-22 MW daily from incineration of 1,200 tonnes of dry waste, aiming for completion by 2026-27 under a public-private partnership. openpr
• [New] The Colorado town of Vail will become the first US municipality to implement HPE's new agentic AI smart city solution. IoT M2M Council
• [New] In the coming two years, we expect to see many more novel computer vision applications make their way into the mainstream of first world police forces - with predictive policing playing an increasing role in extremely well-funded cities of advanced nations. Emerj Artificial Intelligence Research
• [New] Cybercab and broader robotaxi services could roll out in more U.S. cities once reliability thresholds and compliance standards are met. The Cryptonomist
• [New] The extensive national goals, like Saudi Vision 2030 and Dubai's Smart City project, are acting as crucial drivers. Precedence Research
• [New] Cities with growing nearshoring activity (e.g., Queretaro, Saltillo) or emerging coastal areas (e.g., La Paz, Baja California Sur) offer lower entry prices and high appreciation potential by 2026, provided infrastructure keeps pace with demand. Esales Overseas Property - Buy or Sell Overseas Propert
• [New] By 2030 and beyond, smart-city ecosystems will mature into fully integrated urban platforms: connected mobility, predictive infrastructure, digital twins of entire cities, real-time citizen services, and sustainable digital economies. Trickdone
• [New] In 2026, smart cities will no longer wait for the changes brought by self-driving cars; instead, they will proactively take action. Forum Virium Helsinki
• [New] For 2026, we expect continued momentum, especially as AI becomes more context-aware and further integrated across mission-critical verticals such as venues and smart cities. asmag.com
• [New] As automation and connectivity continue to advance, AI traffic management will become a core feature of globally connected smart cities. Boulevard Pet Clinic
• [New] Leading Chinese air taxi developer EHang plans to transport passengers from airports to major cities for as little as $30. UNN
• [New] From the 2016-17 fiscal year to the 2025-26 fiscal year, Dhaka North City Corporation spent Tk688.39 crore on mosquito control, while Dhaka South City Corporation spent Tk323.63 crore. The Business Standard
• [New] Suburban expansion around key cities will redefine Nigeria's urban map, creating new real estate clusters in places like Mowe, Ajah, and Ibadan's Moniya axis. PropertyPro Insider

Last updated: 29 November 2025