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 urban populations surge - with the United Nations projecting global urbanization will reach 68% by 2050 - the need for intelligent transit systems has never been more urgent. Saint Augustines University
• [New] The real-world test of the scaling model will be the launch of robotaxi services in seven new cities during the first half of 2026. Ainvest
• [New] 2026 regulatory approvals and seven-city expansion will test whether Cybercab can transition from tech demo to scalable infrastructure. Ainvest
• [New] Key Insight: With urbanization and climate volatility rising, hydroponic container farm systems are projected to supply up to 50% of fresh greens and herbs in cities by 2028, leveraging less land, less water, and greater yield predictability. Farmonaut
• [New] International rollout means autonomous ride-hailing will no longer be limited to a handful of American cities. WSYR
• [New] In a game-changing development for UAE travel, Etihad Rail is set to launch its highly anticipated high-speed passenger trains in 2026, connecting major cities including Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Travel And Tour World
• [New] With Abu Dhabi and Dubai being two of the world's most visited cities, the new rail system will make it easier for tourists to explore more of what the UAE has to offer. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Waymo, a pioneer in autonomous ride-hailing, continues to expand in select U.S. cities, showing that the self-driving revolution is accelerating faster than most car enthusiasts expected. Elite Traveler
• [New] Tesla's robotaxi service, already piloted in Austin, could expand into multiple U.S. cities in 2026 and become a major growth catalyst. TESMAG
• [New] Musk recently stated, Tesla has launched robotaxi services in a few cities and expects to achieve very, very broad coverage across the United States by the end of 2026. NAI 500
• [New] As electric air taxis take to the skies in South Korea, tourists will benefit from quick, affordable air travel, reducing traffic congestion and providing easy access to city centers and popular tourist sites. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Munich, Mannheim, Cologne and smaller cities in Germany that introduced communal heat planning have all followed that model as part of a strategy to become carbon neutral by 2045. EnergyTransition.org
• [New] Cities like Copenhagen's Nordhavn and Singapore's Tengah are leading by example, with entire neighborhoods designed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Saint Augustines University
• [New] Rents for prime West End buildings are now £185 per sq ft, whilst in the City of London they stand at £102.50 per sq ft with forecast growth of 4.2% and 4.6% per annum respectively out to 2030. City AM
• [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

Last updated: 21 February 2026