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 New Mexico, PFAS contamination is particularly evident near military bases and certain urban areas, presenting a long-term risk for communities, farmers, and local ecosystems. Legal Claim Assistant
• [New] In India, LG is launching a new product development organization this year and establishing a new production line at its Sri City plant, scheduled to open in 2026. LG Newsroom
• [New] The city of New York has used geo systems to develop a comprehensive plan for reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality, while the city of Los Angeles has used GIS to identify areas of high crime risk and develop targeted community policing initiatives. Data Pipeline Hub
• [New] Cities such as Napa Valley, California, and Lincoln City, Oregon, have ditched pyrotechnics entirely, citing wildfire risk, noise, and pollution. Quartz
• [New] Afghanistan's Kabul may run out of water by 2030: Kabul, Afghanistan's capital with a population of seven million people, could become the first modern city to run out of water in the next five years, a new report has warned. News18
• [New] UAE Infrastructure and Real Estate Activity Remains Strong: Cement demand is fueled by smart city developments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Urban Plan 2040 initiatives. Research and Markets
• [New] The rate of urbanization is a key factor in driving passenger car demand, with developing countries like India expected to have 50% of their inhabitants living in urban areas by 2050. SpringerLink
• [New] In India, where over 150,000 road fatalities are reported each year and traffic congestion remains a major issue in urban centers, V2X could be a game-changer. Bisinfotech
• [New] The military exercises will run in parallel with large-scale civil defence training, including air raid sirens, missile alert systems, and evacuation drills in major cities, including the capital, Taipei, where public transport will be temporarily suspended. NV
• [New] Once established, the Pilot project can now change the way urban administration is practiced in cities, beginning with improved service delivery for urban citizens, and opportunities to standardise India's irregular address system. Gkseries.com
• [New] Over 60% of cities globally are adopting AI technologies for at least one aspect of urban life, with AI investments in smart city projects expected to increase. Aeologic Blog
• [New] By 2025, AI is expected to power over 30% of smart city applications, particularly in areas like urban mobility. Aeologic Blog
• [New] The sharp fall in immigration in 2025 threatens to slow down economic growth, particularly in the sectors and cities that relied on newcomers to the U.S. in recent years. Blue Delaware
• [New] The European high-speed rail network, currently under discussion at the European Commission, could span 49,400 km and connect all EU capitals and major urban areas of more than 250,000 inhabitants. Railway PRO
• [New] Mass adoption of Robotaxis could reduce traffic by 25% and emissions by 40% in urban areas over the next five years. AdSense Mobile Q&A – Malayalam Tips 2025
• 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
• 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
• India, China, and Nigeria alone will account for 35% of urban growth, requiring massive infrastructure expansion. ZACUA VENTURES
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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

Last updated: 12 July 2025