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] In Metro Manila, a high of 39 degrees Celsius is expected to hit the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Pasay City while Science Garden, Quezon City could reach up to 38 degrees Celsius. GMA News Online
• [New] Empowering city governments will lead to better urban planning, improved infrastructure, and a more sustainable future for India's cities. 99Notes Best IAS Coaching Delhi
• [New] Mexico is expected to invest $2 billion in transportation and urban development in its host cities for the 2026 World Cup, including Mexico City and Monterrey. Oliver Wyman Forum
• [New] A recent pilot project in Singapore showcased how blockchain-secured IoT devices could optimize traffic flow and reduce energy consumption in urban areas by up to 30%. Spreaker
• [New] Urbanization is projected to continue, with 40% of India's population expected to live in cities by 2026.Government initiatives like Smart Cities Mission (aims to develop 100 cities into modern urban hubs) encourage migration for economic growth. Vajiram & Ravi
• [New] A back-up transformer failed, meaning systems had to be closed down in accordance with safety procedures so that power supplies could be restructured from two remaining substations to restore enough electricity to power what is described as a mid-sized city. City AM
• [New] Urban operations in dense cities are becoming increasingly likely for military and law enforcement forces as more of the world urbanises, with the UN predicting that almost 70% of the global population will live in cities by the year 2050. The Straits Times
• [New] Vietnam's real estate and infrastructure sectors are expected to recover strongly in 2025, supported by urbanization, population growth, and government investment in transportation and smart city projects. https://vir.com.vn/
• [New] Part of the New India Map Stack, it showcases the power of high-precision digital twins which will create a 3D representation of Hubballi-Dharwad, modernizing property tax systems, urban planning, enhance governance and improve infrastructure management through precision mapping. CXOToday.com
• [New] The north west as well as cities like Birmingham are experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing population and major infrastructure projects such as HS2, offering lucrative investment opportunities. Find UK Property
• [New] Given that urban populations are expected to treble by 2050, cities are likely to become hubs for innovation and economic growth. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Canada's growing population and urbanization are further driving demand for housing, commercial spaces, and transportation networks, offering significant investment opportunities. Canada GMC | Canadian Immigration Consultants
• [New] Countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America are experiencing rapid urbanization and economic growth, creating new opportunities for international investors. D.A.D. Enterprises, LLC.
• [New] About half of the world's population is now at risk from dengue, with cases increasing dramatically in recent decades due to factors including urbanization, population growth, and climate change. Mindoro Today
• [New] In 2025, we can expect to see coworking spaces thrive in regional cities across Europe as more people opt for a better work-life balance and look for opportunities outside of large urban centers. Cowork Europe
• [New] The future of property investment in Ireland is filled with potential, with significant growth expected in both urban and regional areas. FindQo.ie News
• [New] Emirates will expand its Airbus A350 network to seven new cities starting in June as additional aircraft featuring its latest cabin products enter service. Aviation Week Network
• [New] Like many cities where flooding worsened by sea level rise has become routine, Charleston has embarked on a plan to try to stay ahead of the rising waters, concluding that it will need to prepare for 1.5 feet of additional sea level rise by 2040 and 2.5 feet by 2060. AOL
• [New] Over the next century, Jacksonville will experience more coastal flooding due to sea level rise and from stronger coastal storms, a 2023 report commissioned by the city stated. AOL
• [New] Modal shift for Northern Ireland involves 5% of car-kilometres shifted to public transport, cycling, and walking by 2035, with the reduction in car kilometers primarily achieved in more built-up urban areas. Climate Change Committee
• [New] India's FMCG sector is expected to witness a mild revenue rebound of 100 to 200 basis points to 6-8 per cent in fiscal 2026 on the back of a gradual recovery in urban and steady rural demand. India Retailing
• [New] While global cities are looking for solutions for drought years amid the rising threat of global warming and uncertain climate changes, cities in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region are struggling to meet current-day water supply needs. Mid-day
• [New] Australia is ramping up plans to bolster its missile arsenal after China's recent naval operations near major Australian cities, an unprecedented circumnavigation exercise that included live-fire war games off its eastern coast in the Tasman Sea. Asia Times

Last updated: 29 March 2025