Global Scans · Smart Cities · Weekly Summary

• [New] In 2026, GCC cities like Doha, Dubai, and Riyadh will continue their push towards smart city development. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The UAE's focus on sustainability, innovative architecture, and high-quality construction projects will continue to further support its use of smart glass. Precedence Research
• [New] In 2026, the MWC will focus on six themes: smart infrastructure, connected artificial intelligence, AI for enterprise, AI nexuses, inclusive technology and game-changers. CIDOB
• [New] IoT sensors and smart infrastructure solutions from firms such as Honeywell and Siemens enable real-time monitoring of buildings, bridges, and urban environments to detect potential hazards before they escalate. Precedence Research
• [New] 2026 will reward businesses that invest in scalable, smart, and secure digital wallet infrastructure. Digipay.guru
• [New] 57% of respondents plan to increase investment in energy-efficiency measures over 2026; 55% for smart building technologies; and 54% for building electrification. Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen
• [New] 1) Smart Buildings Become True Energy Orchestrators: By 2026, smart buildings will function more like managed micro-grids as operators face rising energy demand, electrification pressures, and aging infrastructure. LightNOW | News and opinion for lighting people
• [New] By 2026, many AI for good initiatives launched in the early 2020s will bear fruit - from smart city projects reducing traffic and pollution to disaster prediction systems that give communities more warning of hurricanes or wildfires. Eglobalis
• [New] The development of Kota MADANI, featuring 10,000 houses with 80% allocated for public servants, will establish Malaysia's first smart, AI-driven green city in Precinct 19, Putrajaya. Malaysian Green Technology And Climate Change Corporati
• [New] The nationwide 5G network expansion targeting 80% coverage by 2026 will enable smart building technologies and IoT integration. / Malaysia Malaysian Green Technology And Climate Change Corporati
• [New] Drone and robot logistics, as well as smart city traffic control, are growing, presenting significant opportunities for companies with autonomous driving experience, such as Hyundai Motor Company and KT. / UAE SMART CITY KOREA
• The vision to 2045 is to build a comprehensive smart city model linked to green growth and modern governance. Nhan Dan Online
• Cities like Berlin and Munich are expected to implement pilot projects that include air taxis as part of smart city transportation. Precedence Research
• Supply Chain and Infrastructure Targeting: Attacks on global logistics, satellite communications and smart transportation systems will increase, turning outages into strategic weapons for geopolitical influence. Govtech
• Expanding next-generation connectivity and ICT infrastructure (projected to reach AED 192 billion in 2025) creates significant opportunities in smart cities, utilities, logistics, real-time monitoring, and IoT-based service platforms. LOGIC Consulting - A Leading MENA Consulting Firm
• Government leadership recognizes blockchain technology's potential to establish the Emirates as a global hub for digital economy activities extending beyond financial services into supply chain management, digital identity, and smart city applications. CoinRank
• By 2030, Indonesia aims to integrate AI across all tourism touchpoints, including smart hotels, eco-friendly transport, and personalized visitor services. Travel And Tour World
• Web3 security startups raised $420 million in 2025 to combat rising threats to smart contract infrastructure. CoinLaw
• Follow government roadmaps: Directives, guidelines, and funding calls (USDOT AI for ITS, EU ITS Directive, India's ATMS and smart-highway programs, China's AV safety guidelines) are the clearest signal of where AI transport markets will actually materialize. Resources
• Smart city investment in North America is projected to reach $750 billion by 2026, up from $3 trillion in 2017. CCE l ONLINE NEWS
• As the volume of IoT-connected devices doubles within five years, industries, including smart homes, manufacturing, healthcare, and urban infrastructure, will see significant opportunities and challenges around connectivity, data management, security, and automation. Next Move Strategy Consulting
• As automation and connectivity continue to advance, AI traffic management will become a core feature of globally connected smart cities. Boulevard Pet Clinic

Last updated: 05 January 2026