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] Dubai's next phase of smart city evolution will be defined by autonomy and interoperability. WDCS Technology
• [New] On a broader scale, global connected devices are estimated to reach 39 billion by 2030, with smart cities representing a significant share of adoption. WDCS Technology
• [New] Air taxis could begin limited operations in select US cities as early as summer 2026. CyberGuy
• [New] By dramatically reducing travel times between cities, the maglev train has the potential to reshape the way people and goods move around the world. M T C News
• [New] Experts envision a future where the maglev network expands beyond China, connecting major cities and economic hubs across the globe. M T C News
• [New] With city populations set to hit 70% globally by 2050, jams, lost time, and pollution are rising. SpringerLink
• [New] Cities such as Miami, New York, Jakarta, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Lagos are frequently highlighted in sea level rise projections as being at higher risk of coastal flooding. Nature World News
• [New] By 2050, several major coastal cities are expected to face sharper exposure to both chronic sea level rise and acute coastal flooding. Nature World News
• [New] Asia-Pacific is anticipated to record the fastest growth due to accelerating urbanization, industrial expansion, and rapidly rising electricity demand. Dimension Market Research
• [New] In a rapidly urbanizing world (70% of humanity will live in cities by 2050), whoever owns the successful city models will own the economic and cultural clout. / Saudi Arabia Invest Global - Saudi Arabia
• [New] Qualcomm envisions the 6G network providing what amounts to radar imaging at scale, using the wireless infrastructure that's already blanketing cities and suburbs. The Gadgeteer
• [New] The Ministry of National Defense says it will deploy specialized counter-unmanned aircraft systems to protect stadiums and fan zones in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico Business
• [New] In New York City, SINBON and Swobbee are expanding a citywide e-bike battery swapping network to reduce fire risks from home charging. Micromobility
• [New] The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, will lead a focused project aimed at advancing autonomous operations in partnership with flight automation developers. CGTN
• [New] For reference, the EU Horizon Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 has earmarked USD 107 million for systemic smart city transition projects across more than 100 European cities, helping to scale digital infrastructures and urban data platforms. MarkNtel Advisors
• [New] The Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience the fastest growth over the forecast period, driven by rapid urbanization and increasing environmental awareness. The National Law Review

Last updated: 28 March 2026