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] Russian forces will likely complete the seizure of Chasiv Yar in the coming days, which will open several possible avenues for Russian forces to attack Ukraine's fortress belt - a series of fortified cities that form the backbone of Ukraine's defensive positions in Donetsk Oblast. Institute for the Study of War
• [New] Extreme heat will continue to threaten public health and is projected to lead to a cumulative total of about 28,000 more deaths in major U.S. urban areas each year by the 2090s. Center for American Progress
• [New] Russian forces could then leverage their positions along the east bank of the Oskil River to push toward Lyman and Ukraine's fortress belt - a series of fortified cities that form the backbone of Ukraine's defensive positions - from the north. Critical Threats
• [New] The Canadian Homes Transfer will reward cities that build quickly, allow more townhomes and apartments, and prioritize homes near transit. Canada's NDP
• [New] In addition to autonomous taxis, Saudi Arabia is investing in flying taxis or urban air mobility (UAM) solutions, with the goal of launching air taxis by 2026. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The world's population is becoming increasingly urbanized, with a significant proportion of people moving to cities in search of better economic opportunities, improved living standards, and access to services. Number Analytics LLC
• [New] The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing funding to help tribes alleviate or remove imminent threats to health or safety. Maul Foster Alongi
• [New] If current trends continue, the cities of the global South will account for more than half of global urban carbon emissions by 2050. World Resources Institute
• [New] Urban planners are turning to places like Old Dubai for inspiration as they rush to respond to climate change and the threat of rising global temperatures. BBC
• [New] When a severe hurricane or a major earthquake hits an urban area in a country with significant insurance take-up, insured losses could easily reach $300 billion in that year. Florida Realtors
• Other than New York City, Westchester and Long Island, the tip credit for food service workers in New York will be increased from $5.00 to $5.15 and the tip credit for service workers will be increased from $2.50 to $2.60. Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC
• Key milestones include 30 million zero-emission cars by 2030, doubling high-speed rail traffic, and achieving carbon-neutral urban travel under 500 km. Your Gate to Europe
• Dubai 2040 is a long-term master urban plan aimed at doubling the green zone size, enhancing mobility, and providing additional housing for an expanding population. DarGlobal
• On Thursday, Uber said it would invest $300 million in electric vehicle maker Lucid as part of a deal to put robotaxis on the roads of a major US city in 2026. Business Insider
• In struggling and emerging cities of the global South, investments in core services and infrastructure could pay for themselves many times over, and the costs of inaction can be staggering. World Resources Institute
• Global efforts to fight poverty hinge on whether urban populations have access to services and opportunities. World Resources Institute
• The robotaxi service is expected to launch in late 2026 in an unnamed major US city, and Uber said that a prototype of an operational autonomous Lucid-Nuro vehicle is currently being tested on a closed circuit at a Nuro facility in Las Vegas. Engadget
• As the revised TEN-T Regulation requires Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans in all 431 designated urban nodes by 2027, discussions will focus on implementation challenges, data reporting, and the development of multimodal passenger hubs. EU Urban Mobility Observatory
• Delivering 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 and ensuring they act as experimentation and innovation hubs so that all European cities follow suit by 2050. Research and Innovation
• Russian forces will likely attempt to advance within tube artillery range of Zaporizhzhia City from Kamyanske (roughly 35 kilometers south of Zaporizhzhia City) but will likely face significant Ukrainian defences. Institute for the Study of War
• The Etihad Rail network will cover in excess of 1,200 kilometers, linking key cities, ports and infrastructure. Travel And Tour World

Last updated: 02 August 2025