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] New York's FY 2027 Executive Budget legislation proposes decoupling State and City tax bases from the OBBBA business provisions. Office of the New York City Comptroller Mark Levine
• [New] Amazon Pharmacy will expand same-day delivery to nearly 4,500 U.S. cities and towns, intensifying competitive pressure in retail pharmacy and recurring-services reach. Stock Titan
• [New] Climate-adaptive smart cities: According to C40 Cities, 570 coastal cities could be vulnerable to flooding by 2050. World Governments Summit
• [New] City representatives and experts from around the world will share practical solutions for decarbonising transport, promoting active and inclusive mobility, and leveraging digital tools for smarter, more connected urban travel. Regional and Urban policy
• [New] In the United States, Waymo plans to deliver up to one million rides per week and launch services in more cities by year-end. ENGtechnica
• [New] Meat consumption in Asia will increase by 30% by 2030, primarily due to urbanization and a growing middle class. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5%, fueled by rising urbanization, income levels, and changing dietary preferences. Market Data Forecast
• [New] More than half of the potential host cities Winter Games will be climate-unreliable by the 2080s! Greenpeace International
• [New] Tesla's robotaxis are expected to launch in over 30 U.S. cities by 2026. Gasgoo Auto News
• [New] For SpaceX, a lunar city could serve as a proving ground for technologies like habitat construction, power generation via solar arrays, and life support systems that will be vital on Mars. The Boreal Times
• [New] Washington State University's College of Nursing will transition its Yakima-based undergraduate and graduate students to the WSU Tri-Cities and WSU Spokane campuses for degree completion at the end of the spring 2026 semester. WSU Insider
• [New] Uber plans to launch robotaxi services in 15 cities during 2026, among them Hong Kong, Madrid and Zurich. Automotive World
• [New] Autonomous driving, led by Waymo, will have a profound impact on how we live and work, including reimagining cities. Bizclik Media Ltd
• [New] The D33 economic agenda aims to double the size of Dubai's economy and consolidate its position among the top three global cities by 2033. DigitalDubai.ai
• [New] Robotaxis are already operational in multiple cities, and advanced driver-assistance systems are set to reach mass adoption in China by 2030. Benzinga
• [New] 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
• [New] The South Yorkshire city will test AI across local services, with four US tech companies - Microsoft, Google, Cisco and Adobe - helping to apply AI in schools, hospitals, GPs and business. Bez Kabli
• [New] Throughout the year, contracts will expire for hundreds of thousands of New York City public sector workers, including subway workers in May. World Socialist Web Site
• [New] The Ministry of Interior will dispatch 15 vehicles to both Hasakah and Qamishli cities to enhance security and begin the process of integrating SDF internal security forces into the MoI. Critical Threats
• [New] As cities navigate housing reform, transportation needs, climate resilience, AI and federal funding changes, 2026 will be a consequential year for how they govern, budget and protect their autonomy. Smart Cities Dive

Last updated: 14 February 2026