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] Buzz fleet could redefine urban mobility, blending Volkswagen's manufacturing prowess with Uber's ride-hailing network to compete in the evolving autonomous vehicle landscape. TESLARATI
• [New] Indian cities are facing challenges due to their low-rise structures and sprawling slums that are projected to increase with the growth of urban populations in the future. The Future of Development
• [New] SSB will no longer be purchasing diesel buses: from 2027, it intends to operate in the city center of Stuttgart exclusively with emission-free buses, and from 2035 to be climate neutral across the entire Stuttgart bus network. Sustainable Bus
• [New] Demand for stylish and flexible furniture is expected to surge in urban areas across India, propelled due to the ongoing development of the housing sector and the rise of metro cities. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The strategic development led by AI cities will escalate from urban development strategies to city cluster strategies and national strategies, and will subsequently influence the rise and fall of global regional power. Springer Nature Singapore
• [New] In 2025, countries that prioritize infrastructure development and urban planning will likely see increased property values and demand for housing. Pouted Magazine
• [New] A complete shift from older vehicles to electric vehicles in 44 Indian cities with a population of at least 10 lakh could avoid 11.5 tonnes of PM2.5 emissions every day by 2035 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 61 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. PTI
• [New] Emerging markets, particularly in Asia Pacific, represent a significant growth opportunity due to rapid urbanization, increasing infrastructure development, and rising disposable incomes. Credence Research
• [New] The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate, fueled by rapid urbanization, increasing investments in smart cities, and the rising demand for automation in residential and commercial buildings. Credence Research
• [New] The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to rapid urbanization, growing infrastructure investments, and technological advancements in countries such as China, Japan, and India. Credence Research
• [New] The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 promotes investments in green and blue infrastructure, as well as the systematic integration of healthy ecosystems, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions into urban planning. Environment
• [New] Tesla's robotaxi will require regulation and a smaller number of cars on the road, with an estimated fleet of 4.4 to 5 million to meet peak demand in the top 800 cities in the United States. Digital Habitats
• [New] Tesla's robotaxi could potentially be 25 times cheaper than Uber, leading to a significant increase in daily transportation, with an estimated need for 2 million full-time robot taxis for the top 800 cities in the United States. Digital Habitats
• [New] With urbanization rates in the U.S. expected to surpass 90% of the total population by 2050, the demand for advanced transportation systems will continue to grow, further propelling the need for Hyperloop technology to redefine urban mobility and provide a more sustainable future. Yahoo Finance
• [New] As China is shifting its urbanization policy from urban expansion to existing stock planning, retrofitting TOD principles to the 1,000+ HSR station areas becomes both a considerable challenge and a grand opportunity. SpringerLink
• 81.86% of Canadians lived in urban areas in 2023, and Statistics Canada projects that an even greater share will live in census metropolitan areas in the next two decades. The Pointer
• Dubai envisions AI as the foundation for cities that think, services that adapt, and governments that anticipate their citizens' needs. Magazine
• As an early adopter of digital transformation, the Middle East is uniquely positioned to capitalize on AI's potential, particularly within its ambitious urban developments and rapidly evolving real estate landscape. Design Middle East
• China using mass fires against urban areas could generate an international backlash and turn international popular opinion against it. Asia Times
• Tailor Plans Based on Local Vulnerability: India can improve HAP effectiveness by ensuring that each state and city develops plans based on specific local vulnerabilities such as geography, socio-economic factors, and infrastructure. Civilsdaily
• As Archer works toward certification and initial deployments in international markets, the coming years will determine whether electric air taxis can fulfill their promise of providing fast, safe, and sustainable transportation in urban environments. Business Aviation
• Global population and economic growth, combined with rapid urbanization, will result in a significant increase in energy demand in the coming years. Precedence Research

Last updated: 03 May 2025