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] Document Informationclick to expand document informationThe Indian FMCG sector was valued at approximately USD 211 billion in FY25, with projections to reach USD 1,108.48 billion by 2033, driven by urban recovery and premiumization trends. Scribd
• [New] Global energy consumption is expected to increase by 23% between now and 2050, driven by factors such as population growth, rapid urbanization, and economic development. Channels Television
• [New] India, China, and Nigeria alone will account for 35% of urban growth, requiring massive infrastructure expansion. ZACUA VENTURES
• [New] Italy issued red alerts for 18 cities, while in Germany temperatures were forecast to peak at 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, making it the hottest day of the year. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] For construction companies across the UK, from major urban centers to smaller regional markets, AI offers the opportunity to level the playing field with larger competitors whilst delivering superior client experiences that drive sustainable business growth. UK Construction Blog
• [New] Heat action plans are being used in India to manage summer temperature spikes and keep essential services running, but even within cities, some areas - and even buildings - are far more at risk than others. Peterson Technology Partners
• [New] China's obesity rates have risen sharply in recent decades due to rapid urbanization and changing diets, creating an additional risk factor for KOA. BioMed Central
• [New] Over the next three decades, Africa will experience an unprecedented increase in its urban population, doubling from 700 million to 1.4 billion people by 2050 and becoming the continent with the second largest urban population after Asia (3.5 billion people). Mishcon de Reya LLP
• [New] With autonomous vehicles like Tesla's potentially reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety, cities could reassess the scale and design of road networks. OpenTools
• [New] Industry leaders have repeatedly urged their government to recognize the progress made in the US, warning that China risks falling behind if companies remain restricted to small-scale trials in peripheral urban areas. KrASIA
• [New] Indian urban development can be called smart and future-ready if the chaotic, vibrant density of its cities can be complemented with necessary infrastructure to modernise it while preserving their heritage and economic opportunities, not just for the privileged but for all sections of society. The Indian Express
• [New] The European Digital Infrastructure Consortium will implement the EU's Local Digital Twins & CitiVERSE initiative, connecting digital twins in member cities. Interoperable Europe Portal
• [New] Atlanta is a largely car-dependent city, and Serve's robots are expected to reduce traffic congestion, making last-mile deliveries more efficient and emission-free. Stockhouse
• [New] 68% of the world's population will live in urban areas, a demographic development that has implications for public policymaking, resilience planning, technology adoption, and financial backing. Verdict
• [New] By 2026, the city of Paris plans to make the entire city suitable for bikes, reducing the usage of large vehicles. Daily Bunny
• [New] Musk's vision of a fully autonomous ride-hailing service could revolutionise transportation, reducing costs, improving accessibility, and reshaping urban mobility. FleetPoint
• [New] Cities connected to multiple global networks - through universities, multinational corporations, cultural institutions, or diaspora communities - have access to opportunities and resources that isolated cities cannot match. The American Bazaar
• [New] Cities attracting immigrants with advanced degrees and entrepreneurial backgrounds gain access to global networks, diverse perspectives, and risk-taking mentalities. The American Bazaar
• [New] The Dubai government's Vision 2071 emphasizes sustainable urban development and quality of life improvements, positioning Marina residents to benefit from long-term strategic investments. Fingerlakes1.com
• [New] Extreme heat in urban areas will increase levels of mortality and heat-related illnesses, especially among the elderly and young children. Climate Cosmos
• Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit the highest growth rate, fuelled by rapid urbanization and supportive government policies in countries like China and India. Precedence Research
• The proportion of people under 16 years is projected to decrease in all local authorities, except for the City of London. Office for National Statistics
• With global interest in flexible energy solutions on the rise, the demand for battery storage systems is expected to grow in urban centers and regions adapting to new climate and power challenges. Energy, Oil & Gas magazine

Last updated: 05 July 2025