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] The City of Los Angeles is developing its first Mobility Action Plan (MAP), which will guide how LA invests in streets, sidewalks, transit, biking, and walking for the next 20 years. Los Angeles Department of Transportation
• [New] Of the future megacities, 2 will be in India; Delhi is projected to become the world's most populous city around 2028, overtaking Tokyo, which has a declining population. Knowledge for policy
• [New] By 2030, there will be a projected 662 cities with at least 1 million inhabitants and 43 megacities, most of which will be in developing regions. Knowledge for policy
• [New] Robotaxis could reach dozens of major cities by the end of the year. TESMAG
• [New] In the United States, cities like Austin, Phoenix, and parts of Florida may offer early opportunities for owners to join robotaxi networks, assuming regulators and Tesla permit mixed private-plus-commercial usage. TESMAG
• [New] Elon Musk has predicted that robotaxis will be active in dozens of major cities by the end of the year, although his autonomy timelines have historically been optimistic. TESMAG
• [New] Cities' most damaging cybersecurity failures in 2026 will stem from the loss of operational control over emergency response, transportation, utilities and permitting systems. Smart Cities Dive
• [New] By 2027, 65% of cities worldwide will deploy AI agents across systems and data to orchestrate workflows and reduce workloads. Smart Cities Dive
• [New] Tesla plans to expand to seven more US cities in the first half of 2026 and started removing its employees from its robotaxis in Austin. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] 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
• [New] Potential routes - Planned links between major Chinese megacities, with talk of cross-border corridors - Could shrink multi-hour trips to under three hours, city-center to city-center. Mirrawluxe.com
• [New] Global demand for critical minerals and metals is expected to accelerate over the next decade, driven by population growth, urbanization, the energy transition and national security imperatives. Mining Weekly
• [New] In the first few days of 2026, Etihad Rail confirmed the final passenger network plan, cementing a system that will serve 11 cities and regions across all seven emirates, with services expected to begin in phases throughout 2026. Conde Nast Traveler
• [New] National house prices will rise 7.7% in 2026, with growth expected across every capital city despite borrowing constraints and affordability pressures. realestate.com.au
• [New] By late spring, 65 airports will feature the biometric lanes, with priority given to cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when international arrivals are expected to spike. VisaHQ
• [New] The risk of a Third Intifada is no longer a theoretical risk but an operational reality in cities like Jenin and Nablus, further stretching Israeli security resources. Ronin's Grips
• [New] Beyond more parking reform in cities across America, we might expect to see things like dynamic curbs and automated enforcement go from wonky ideas to real, on-the-ground applications. CoMotion NEWS
• [New] For US cities, Cybercab offers a chance to rethink mobility: fewer privately owned cars, more flexible on-demand rides, and the potential for safer, cleaner streets if autonomy is deployed thoughtfully. TESMAG
• [New] Tesla could be operating robotaxis in roughly 8 to 10 metropolitan areas by the end of 2026, which implies a strategy focused on specific cities with favorable regulatory climates and strong ride demand. TESMAG
• [New] Tesla has rolled out robotaxi services in a few cities and expects them to become very, very widespread across the U.S. by late 2026. Times Of AI
• [New] As part of efforts to reduce air pollution and align with Vietnam's net-zero target by 2050, both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City set plans to increase the use of bicycles, besides increasing electric vehicles, and restricting gas-powered transportation. Vietcetera
• [New] Tesla's rolled out robotaxi service in a few cities, and will be very, very widespread by the end of 2026 within the U.S.. CNBC
• [New] In Australia, the move toward city-based remote ops centers has led to increased hiring of women who might not have considered a residential mining town posting, as well as giving opportunities to people with disabilities or others who can excel in a tech-driven environment. Highways Today

Last updated: 31 January 2026