Global Scans · Smart cities · Weekly Summary

• [New] Dubai's next phase of smart city evolution will be defined by autonomy and interoperability. WDCS Technology
• [New] On a broader scale, global connected devices are estimated to reach 39 billion by 2030, with smart cities representing a significant share of adoption. WDCS Technology
• [New] For reference, the EU Horizon Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 has earmarked USD 107 million for systemic smart city transition projects across more than 100 European cities, helping to scale digital infrastructures and urban data platforms. MarkNtel Advisors
• [New] Artificial intelligence spending across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa is expected to grow from approximately USD 4.5 billion in 2024 to USD 14.6 billion by 2028, highlighting strong regional momentum in digital infrastructure and smart city deployment. Techtime News
• [New] Key opportunities include smart city developments, demand for energy-efficient and touchless systems, predictive maintenance, modernization, and safety solutions, with Asia-Pacific leading growth. Yahoo Finance Singapore
• [New] The Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience the fastest growth over the coming years, driven by increasing urbanization, expanding ride-share services, and aggressive smart city initiatives. EIN Presswire
• In the coming decade, there will be many billions of gadgets that will generate massive data streams, which will then converge with artificial intelligence to form intelligent ecosystems across homes, cities and industries (Smart Cities). GovCon Wire
• Middle East & Africa is a rapidly expanding region with considerable growth potential through the implementation of smart city initiatives, digital tourism, and immersive training programs. Precedence Research
• Climate-adaptive smart cities: According to C40 Cities, 570 coastal cities could be vulnerable to flooding by 2050. World Governments Summit
• Smart cities are expected to deliver large economic benefits of USD 20 trillion by 2026. Bayelsa Watch
• Smart-city IoT cellular connections will grow at a 17.9% CAGR (2022-2027), exceeding 122 million. Bayelsa Watch
• About 70% of the world's population could be living in smart cities by 2050. Bayelsa Watch
• By 2030, smart city alignment will likely be a baseline expectation rather than a premium feature. Core Insights
• Edge architectures will be integral to smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation by 2026. Medium
• By 2026, many AI for good initiatives launched in the early 2020s will bear fruit - from smart city projects reducing traffic and pollution to disaster prediction systems that give communities more warning of hurricanes or wildfires. Eglobalis
• As cities worldwide continue to adopt smart city initiatives, the need for sophisticated hardware solutions to support intelligent transport systems is expected to rise. Strategic Revenue Insights
• Horizon shows the EU doubling down on green and digital transitions: by 2030, it aims for 100 climate-neutral smart cities, a quantum communication infrastructure, and circular-economy solutions - an ambitious, mission-oriented innovation agenda. GeoIntelligence
• Integrating thermal comfort into the building bye-laws of the Smart Cities Mission will be critical to ensuring that India's urbanization remains livable. The Tribune
• Digital infrastructure will remain a key growth driver throughout 2026, with data monitoring technologies and smart-city solutions projected to grow rapidly, alongside continued interest in data center projects. Passle
• Government-backed smart city programs, active startup communities, and industrial AI investments are expected to create new opportunities in the United Kingdom. SkyQuest Technology Consulting
• By 2026, the rise of smart cities will continue to reshape urban life in exciting ways. Nightlife

Last updated: 30 March 2026