Our Scans · (LF.11) Sustainable Cities and Communities · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

• [New] Continued investments in renewable energy, battery storage, and smart grid technologies will help communities build more resilient and sustainable energy systems while supporting America's clean energy transition. Sol Setu
• [New] Like other cities built on the faltering notion that the Colorado River could provide a sustainable water source, Phoenix is now turning to more creative solutions - most notably investing in recycling effluent from sewage back into drinking water. The Guardian
• [New] With Navier, we see the potential to build not only a cleaner, more seamless network connecting airports, resorts, villas, and islands, but a scalable blueprint for sustainable maritime transportation, extending beyond the Maldives to island nations and coastal cities around the world. Euronews
• [New] The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved an innovative new project in Paraguay that will create jobs within sustainable agroforestry value chains in rural areas and expand access to long-term financing. Agroforestry
• The trend toward sustainable mobility, with consumers demanding eco-friendly solutions, allows manufacturers to innovate, capturing a growing segment of smart urban markets through 2032. Persistence Market Research
• GaLaBau 2026 will highlight emerging trends in urban greening, climate-resilient design, e-mobility equipment, sustainable landscaping, and smart outdoor technologies. Sustainability Online - A business news platform with a
• TAT said it believes GSTC 2026 will serve not only as a platform for international cooperation, but also as a key mechanism for strengthening the capabilities of Thai tourism operators, improving destination management and creating sustainable value for local communities. null
• Importantly, the Regulation on trans-European transport networks now requires 431 urban nodes across Europe to adopt a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan by end 2027, further strengthening the role of SUMP in transport planning. Mobility and Transport
• Bupa's 2026-27 Pre Budget Submission outlines a practical and forward-looking reform agenda to help ensure Australia's health and care system remains sustainable, accessible and high quality for all communities. Bupa HI
• As autonomous transportation ecosystems mature, the robotaxi industry is projected to become a fundamental component of future urban mobility, supporting safer, smarter, and more sustainable transportation networks worldwide. DataM Intelligence
• The future of smart cities in 2026 will be marked by a wave of IoT innovations that make urban living more efficient, sustainable and responsive. Technilizer
• The urgency to find sustainable systems to protect and fortify trees in cities will only increase: The proportion of the world's population living in urban areas is set to rise to 68% by 2050, up from 55% in 2018. Reasons to be Cheerful
• While the A Diamond is Forever messaging would likely remain, additional emphasis might be placed on diamonds' role in sustainable development and their positive impact on producer communities. African Mining Market
• Importantly, Dubai's urban planning is guided by long-term frameworks such as the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which focuses on sustainable density, infrastructure readiness, green spaces, and quality of life. Acquest
• The UK, France and Spain continue to create opportunities through green building codes, commercial retrofits, public-sector construction and sustainable urban development. openpr
• In support of the Dubai Urban Plan 2040 and the Year of the Family objectives, the Executive Council approved a pioneering planning model for citizens' residential areas aimed at developing vibrant, sustainable and socially connected neighborhoods. Emirati Times
• Singapore will need scientists to advance climate modelling and heat mitigation, urban planners who integrate resilience into the built environment, and entrepreneurs who build sustainable technologies. ST
• The approaching urbanization dilemma - as estimates have suggested that 66-70% of the world's population will reside in cities by 2050 - has accelerated academic discussion of sustainable urban development. PubMed Central (PMC)

Last updated: 20 July 2026