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] 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
• [New] Major Northeast cities like New York and Philadelphia could get their largest snowfall in at least four years, while major cities in the South anticipate devastating amounts of ice. Local News 8
• [New] A city that heads towards a subtropical-style climate under high emissions could end up with a milder shift if global emissions fall sharply over the next few decades. Sophiabistro.com
• [New] China's focus on urbanization and the development of smart cities are creating new opportunities for BIPV systems. Strategic Revenue Insights
• [New] Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce a city-capable automated driving system in the U.S. later in 2026 under driver supervision. Yahoo News
• [New] Etihad Rail's new passenger rail network will connect 11 cities and will start becoming operational in 2026. AGBI
• [New] AI-powered patrol robots, which are already used in some cities worldwide, might be included in U.S. police forces, marking a shift to futuristic policing and automated field operations. PsPortals
• [New] Atlanta's housing landscape in 2026 reflects a city balancing growth, diversity, and opportunity. JustinLandisGroup.homes
• [New] China, India, and Southeast Asian nations collectively account for approximately 45% of global construction investment, with urbanization rates accelerating at 2.5-3.2% annually through 2033. Persistence Market Research
• [New] 65% of the top-searched dates and cities for 2027 coincide with major cultural, sporting, and music events - such as the Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Carnival, and Coachella. Airbnb Newsroom
• [New] In the initial phase, around 5,000 bicycles will be deployed in key areas such as Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, the Thu Thiem Urban Area, and along metro corridors. Vietcetera
• [New] Dubai will remain an open environment for talent, creative minds, and high value investments from around the world, and a platform for future technologies that enhance quality of life and reinforce Dubai's position among the world's most future-ready cities. ARN News Centre
• [New] 2027-2030 In select US cities and possibly a few European regions, Tesla may deploy early robotaxi-like services under tightly constrained conditions-good weather, defined zones, carefully mapped routes, and robust oversight. TESMAG
• [New] Global Scale Integration: Farms, cities, and foresters will use satellite-driven water management platforms for regional drought response and conservation programs. Farmonaut
• [New] Government-led smart city and national transformation programs, such as Vision 2030, are acting as major catalysts by prioritizing connected infrastructure, intelligent transport systems, and digitally managed public services that rely heavily on M2M connectivity. Precedence Research
• [New] Kansas City will extend its streetcar line 0.7 miles to Berkeley Riverfront Park, while Orange County, California, expects to open its 4-mile streetcar line connecting the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove. Smart Cities Dive
• [New] Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco show elevated risk, while pollution concerns grow in Colorado Springs and Miami. CRE Daily
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth due to increasing industrialization and urbanization. Strategic Packaging Insights
• [New] In just one low-lying city, Guangzhou in southern China, estimated losses could top a quarter of a trillion dollars a year without adaptation measures - such as massive flood defences - with an additional 20 centimeters of sea level rise. The Daily Star

Last updated: 24 January 2026