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] As one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities, Phoenix's investment in scalable digital infrastructure positions it as one of the smartest cities in the U.S. to watch as we head toward smart cities 2030. Digi International
• [New] US$ 106 trillion is required in global infrastructure investment through 2040, and the decisions taken today will determine the future of tomorrow's cities. Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit 2025
• [New] Rapid urbanization and sustained government subsidies solidify the Asia Pacific's dominant position through 2032. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Eastern Border Cities: Urban areas in Eastern New Mexico, most notably Clovis and Portales, are facing severe long-term threats to their survival as their primary water reserves dry up. Coyote Gulch
• [New] Looking ahead, Europe is expected to maintain its dominant position as MaaS adoption continues to expand across major cities and secondary urban centers. Advantia Business Consulting LLP
• [New] As city authorities and service providers focus on improving mobility efficiency and user experience, urban mobility will remain the dominant end-use segment within the global MaaS ecosystem. Advantia Business Consulting LLP
• [New] The U.S. Census Bureau reports e-commerce has surpassed 16% of total retail sales, driving warehouse absorption, while the United Nations projects nearly 68% of the global population will live in cities by 2050, deepening office and retail demand. Persistence Market Research
• [New] More than 35 major European cities, including Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Milan, are expected to enforce stricter zero-emission or restricted-access delivery zones by 2026 under broader EU decarbonization initiatives. Persistence Market Research
• [New] USC researchers have developed a new, free AI tool that could help cities better understand one of their best defences against rising temperatures: trees. TechNet
• [New] South Korea issues its first extreme heat warning under a new system, covering the North Gyeongsang cities of Gyeongsan and Pohang after temperatures meet severe criteria. News as Facts
• [New] UAE government initiatives such as Net Zero 2050, smart city development, and federal infrastructure modernization are reshaping urban operations. MarkNtel Advisors
• [New] Extreme heat is emerging as one of the most pressing climate-related risks for cities across Asia and the Pacific. ESCAP
• [New] Cities able to combine strong governance, long-term investment, digital innovation, and regional cooperation will increasingly define whether the global sustainability agenda succeeds or fails. New Polis e-journal
• [New] The commercial segment is expected to remain in the second position in 2026, owing to rising health awareness, urbanization, and service-sector expansion. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Fastest-Growing Region: Asia Pacific is poised to record the highest CAGR between 2026 and 2033, driven by booming e-commerce, rapid urbanization, expansion of modern retail, and government-led sustainability regulations reshaping packaging material choices. Persistence Market Research
• [New] European Central Bank Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiatives have accelerated vertical construction across cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, driving demand for both new elevator installations and lifecycle maintenance services. Shaping Tomorrow
• [New] India's infrastructure push under its National Infrastructure Pipeline and China's ongoing urbanization drive targeting a 70% urban population share by 2035 continue to translate into strong and sustained sand demand. Claight Corporation (Expert Market Research)
• [New] With more people living in cities and using different ways of travelling there will come a greater need to make better use of existing assets says Cummins, who predicts on-demand transport services, car sharing and use of apps will become more prevalent. ITS International
• [New] The City of Los Angeles will install automated speed safety systems at 125 locations to prevent illegal speeding and improve safety for all road users. Los Angeles Department of Transportation
• [New] The global building stock is expected to grow by the equivalent of adding an entire New York City to the world, every month, for 40 years. Green Money
• [New] The K-Smart City project will create a 330-hectare pilot district based on South Korean smart city technologies. The Astana Times

Last updated: 25 July 2026