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 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
• [New] By effectively exploiting FTAs and overcoming technical barriers, Ho Chi Minh City aims to maximise the export potential of its key industries and solidify its role in regional trade. Nhan Dan Online
• [New] Ho Chi Minh City announced that the construction of its Metro Line 2 will begin in January 2026. Bernama
• [New] Community acceptance flights over selected U.S. cities will begin in 2026. Aviation a2z
• [New] Waymo, the robotaxi startup backed by Alphabet (GOOGL), will become the first company to offer driverless rides on U.S. highways, expanding its coverage beyond city streets. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] Houston is among five U.S. cities where the robotaxi service will expand. Covering Katy News
• [New] Feeling the fiscal pinch, cities like Bellingham, Washington are dramatically scaling back plans for public fan zones, depriving soccer enthusiasts one of the only affordable ways to partake. The Guardian
• [New] The Etihad Rail will link Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east, passing through popular cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ruwais. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The Russian attacks have disrupted electricity, heat and water supplies in several Ukrainian cities, with state power firm Centerenergo warning generating capacity is down to zero. The Guardian
• [New] Between 2025 and 2028, we will see the first cities with fully integrated autonomous transportation networks. #1 Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, F
• [New] Quantum-inspired computing will enable real-time route optimization across entire cities, reducing congestion by up to 40% according to Accenture's modeling. #1 Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, F
• [New] As noted by the World Economic Forum, cities will need to invest $25 trillion in smart infrastructure by 2040 to support autonomous mobility systems. #1 Futurist Speaker on AI Leadership, Future of Work, F
• [New] In the next few years, you can expect deeper integration of AI in health, smart waste management that scans and sorts garbage, and predictive analytics that forecasts city events before they occur. Explore Dubai
• [New] Uber recently announced its partnership with Nvidia Corp, which aims to deploy over 100,000 Robotaxis across major cities by 2027. Benzinga

Last updated: 22 November 2025