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] Bringing urban leaders who have transformed their cities - from Barcelona to Bogota - together with activists, thinkers and practitioners creates a real opportunity to reimagine the way cities are planned and decisions are made to make cities fairer, healthier and greener. London School of Economics and Political Science
• [New] As the world moves to a zero-carbon future, cities will be key places to transform - particularly buildings, which account for more than half of emissions in most cities. Chicago Build 2025
• [New] Cities like Shanghai are already making plans to integrate flying cars into public transport, with a core industry scale expected to exceed 50 billion yuan by the end of 2027. SHINE
• [New] The continued urbanization trend will see approximately 75% of the world's population living in cities, requiring innovative solutions for housing, transportation, and resource management. The Environmental Literacy Council
• [New] Blade Urban Air Mobility, in New York, offers helicopter services that plan to reduce travel times to JFK from Manhattan by 8 minutes via air and 60 minutes by car. Facts and Factors
• [New] Rotterdam plans to cover 10 million square feet of rooftops in vegetation, a move aimed at combating urban heat, reducing air pollution, and increasing biodiversity. Constructive Voices
• [New] In summary, supporters pitch Kanal Istanbul as a long-term economic boon - creating jobs, revenue, a new city, and global stature - whereas critics warn it could become a financially draining boondoggle that Turkey can ill afford. Erkan's Field Diary
• [New] With careful planning and continued innovation, urban air mobility could redefine the way we move through cities by the early 2030s - making air taxis a practical and sustainable part of everyday life. La Grada EN
• [New] UAM envisions a network of air taxis and electric aircraft operating within cities, addressing the needs of a global urban population expected to reach 5 billion by 2030. La Grada EN
• [New] By 2025, cities around the world will be implementing autonomous vehicles to improve urban mobility, reduce pollution, and create more livable environments. Science News Today
• [New] The UAE's urban master plans, such as Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, prioritize sustainable transport infrastructure. Coming Soon in UAE
• Buzz fleet could redefine urban mobility, blending Volkswagen's manufacturing prowess with Uber's ride-hailing network to compete in the evolving autonomous vehicle landscape. TESLARATI
• Indian cities are facing challenges due to their low-rise structures and sprawling slums that are projected to increase with the growth of urban populations in the future. The Future of Development
• SSB will no longer be purchasing diesel buses: from 2027, it intends to operate in the city center of Stuttgart exclusively with emission-free buses, and from 2035 to be climate neutral across the entire Stuttgart bus network. Sustainable Bus
• Demand for stylish and flexible furniture is expected to surge in urban areas across India, propelled due to the ongoing development of the housing sector and the rise of metro cities. Persistence Market Research
• The strategic development led by AI cities will escalate from urban development strategies to city cluster strategies and national strategies, and will subsequently influence the rise and fall of global regional power. Springer Nature Singapore
• In 2025, countries that prioritize infrastructure development and urban planning will likely see increased property values and demand for housing. Pouted Magazine
• A complete shift from older vehicles to electric vehicles in 44 Indian cities with a population of at least 10 lakh could avoid 11.5 tonnes of PM2.5 emissions every day by 2035 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 61 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. PTI
• Emerging markets, particularly in Asia Pacific, represent a significant growth opportunity due to rapid urbanization, increasing infrastructure development, and rising disposable incomes. Credence Research
• The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate, fueled by rapid urbanization, increasing investments in smart cities, and the rising demand for automation in residential and commercial buildings. Credence Research
• The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to rapid urbanization, growing infrastructure investments, and technological advancements in countries such as China, Japan, and India. Credence Research
• The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 promotes investments in green and blue infrastructure, as well as the systematic integration of healthy ecosystems, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions into urban planning. Environment

Last updated: 10 May 2025