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] Offshore wind resources are abundant: Offshore wind could deliver large amounts of energy to fulfill the electrical needs of cities along U.S. coastlines. Energy.gov
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth through 2033, driven by urbanization, dietary shifts, and expanding e-commerce access. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Fastest Growing Region: Asia Pacific is projected to register the highest growth during 2026-2033, fueled by smart city programs, mobile payment proliferation, and surging automated retail demand across China, India, and Southeast Asia. Persistence Market Research
• [New] KSA: Demand in Saudi Arabia is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 12.2% through 2036, supported by Vision 2030 initiatives, rapid expansion of smart cities, large-scale renewable energy investments, and increasing adoption of digital sustainability and carbon management solutions. FactMr
• [New] Demand in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 12.4% through 2036, driven by rapid expansion of IT and digital services, increasing corporate ESG compliance adoption, and growing implementation of smart city and industrial efficiency programs. FactMr
• [New] As urban population density and traffic congestion in UK major cities continue to intensify, the demand for congestion-bypassing urban air mobility solutions will grow proportionally with the severity of the surface transportation problem eVTOL addresses. Mobility Foresights
• [New] Government urban air mobility development programs, designated UAM corridor investments, and smart city infrastructure initiatives in UK are providing institutional investment that de-risks private sector eVTOL ecosystem development. Mobility Foresights
• [New] More than 1.6 billion people in nearly 1,000 cities could regularly face perilous conditions within three decades. Reasons to be Cheerful
• [New] Cities in the United States, including Los Angeles and Phoenix, have adopted reflective pavements, shaded walkways and cooler transit stops to reduce risk for pedestrians and transit users. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] JIATF 401 will spend $100 million to enhance counter-UAS capability for the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup, focusing on mobile counter-drone technologies to protect stadiums and fan zones in 11 cities across nine states. SENTRY
• [New] The Tesla Semi electric truck is set for volume production in 2026, with initial output expected to ramp slowly, while the Cybercab robotaxi service, though expanding to new cities, is not expected to generate significant revenue until at least 2027. Whalesbook
• [New] Perth in 2050 will feel like an international hub - deeply connected as Australia's western gateway to the world - and one of the most liveable cities in the world, with a strong and diversified economy built on multiple foundations. LinkedIn
• [New] In Asia, the scale of urbanization will drive capacity additions alongside efficiency upgrades and consolidation, with variability in grid decarbonization and alternative fuels shaping regional pathways. Brightpath Associates
• The next chapter of urbanization will be defined not by ever-larger megacities, but by the rapid spread of smaller cities across the globe. Atlas of Global Development
• Cities are the engine of global economic growth and offer greater economic opportunities, diversity in jobs, and more extensive infrastructure than rural areas. Atlas of Global Development
• Global urbanization continues to accelerate with urban populations projected to reach 68% of the world's population by 2050, creating unprecedented demands on public transportation infrastructure and necessitating efficient automated ticketing solutions. Persistence Market Research
• UAE / Saudi Arabia: Demand is projected to grow steadily, supported by smart city investments, mega events, and infrastructure expansion. FactMr
• Just 79,000 new homes are projected for completion across capital cities in 2026, representing a 26% decrease from 2024 levels due to elevated construction costs, persistent labour shortages, and lengthy planning approval delays. openpr
• Proven capability in Texas could expedite deployments in planned cities such as Phoenix, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Las Vegas during the first half of 2026. TESLARATI
• In Mexico City, a boutique hotel will reinterpret the city hotel concept with bold design, a courtyard pool and a rooftop cocktail bar that draws the creative community. Stay Experience
• Just as broadcasting platforms battle for viewers' attention, cities are fighting for visitors, investors, and global opportunities. cities-to-be

Last updated: 16 May 2026