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] Just as smart cities promised efficiency in the 2010s, omni cities will deliver the resilience needed to face the looming threats of the next decade. Govtech
• [New] In the future, if capacity becomes abundant (thanks to thousands of V2's), Starlink might actively target cities with a different approach - perhaps very small, window-mounted terminals or even a device that works from a balcony. Bez Kabli
• [New] As urbanization, connected vehicles, and sustainability demands rise, intelligent transport systems will remain pivotal in transforming global transportation networks. Web3Wire
• [New] Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, with a projected CAGR of 9%, fueled by rapid urbanization and government-led smart city projects in China and India. Web3Wire
• [New] Coastal cities like Miami, New Orleans, and even New York could find themselves grappling with storm surges and flooding events that overwhelm existing infrastructure. GreenPacks
• [New] With Australia's economic recovery underway as of mid-2025, coupled with historically low interest rates and delayed listings, some capital cities (like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne) may transition into seller's markets by peak spring selling season in 2025 or mid-2026. Aus Property Professionals
• [New] By 2035, cities could be fully automated, running with minimal human interference. Futurism
• [New] International expansion is already underway: it is expected that in 2026, the first robotaxis will start operating in cities in the United Kingdom and Germany, marking a before and after in the history of urban mobility. Noticias Ambientales
• [New] Synopsis - Tier-II cities in India are emerging as prime real estate destinations, offering affordability, strong infrastructure, and high growth potential. Trade Brains
• [New] The New York City Council approved a rezoning plan for 42 blocks in Midtown South, also known as the Garment District, to allow more than 9,500 new housing units, about a third of which will be permanently affordable. JD Supra
• [New] The Philippines Department of Finance is collaborating with the Global Shield Secretariat and Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities to establish the new disaster risk finance and insurance mechanisms. Artemis.bm - The Catastrophe Bond, Insurance Linked Sec
• [New] Islamabad is expected to serve as the model EV city, with charging stations set up at petrol pumps and key public spaces. Metro Electric Bikes, Electric Scooters - Metro Electri
• [New] When you include Virgin Media's cable broadband coverage in cities, about 94-95% of NI homes have a gigabit-capable connection available ofcom.org.uk fibreprovider.net, meaning they could subscribe to ~1 Gbps service. / UK TS2 Space
• [New] Google-owned Waymo is going to begin testing its autonomous vehicles in the busiest city in the US: New York. Sherwood News
• [New] The UN humanitarian agency has warned the Israeli plan to expand military operations in Gaza City - home to around 500,000 people - would have a horrific humanitarian impact. The Guardian
• [New] Israeli forces will launch a massive new assault on Gaza City within weeks. The Guardian
• [New] By 2050, nearly 70% of the world's population will live in cities, creating unprecedented energy demands in areas where space comes at a premium. 8MSolar
• [New] The next decade will see stronger adoption of AI, IoT, cloud computing, and smart city programs. Blog - InvestinAsia
• [New] By 2045, mass adoption of unmanned vehicles and the development of smart city infrastructure are expected. RSW
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest growth over the next decade due to rapid urbanization, expanding infrastructure, and government-backed smart city projects. EIN Presswire

Last updated: 06 September 2025