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] Discover how project management can turn Africa's urban growth into a sustainable opportunity. AIA INTERNATIONAL
• [New] Automated, integrated data flows between drones, satellites, and USDA loan programs will form the foundation of smarter, faster, and more sustainable rural infrastructure financing-accelerating development for America's farming communities. Farmonaut
• As regulatory pressure intensifies and technological capabilities advance, PCR based materials will play an increasingly central role in shaping sustainable infrastructure and urban development worldwide. openpr
• The pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 underscores the growing interlinkages of food, health, and urban systems that are increasingly recognized as a defining megatrend for 2026. ORF America
• Other grantholders will investigate policy learning in Southeast Asian cities, champion alternative urban futures through experimental approaches, and re-envisage healthy and sustainable transitions in post-industrial landscapes. Urban Studies Foundation
• In the context of global change, urban 3D expansion has close relationship with sustainable land use, public health, energy consumption, transport efficiency, urban heat island, natural hazards and biodiversity. Nature
• As governments, developers, and tech pioneers accelerate investment in sustainable, data-driven infrastructure, opening soon developments are transforming how millions will live, work, and move in urban environments over the next decade. Saint Augustines University
• Initiatives like 3 Ci in the UK and the Green Bank Network in the US, which enable better project origination with well packaged bundles of investable, de-risked sustainable projects, should become more prominent, especially for cash constrained local authorities and cities. AtkinsRealis
• Projected Demand: Urban gardening jobs are anticipated to grow by 18% in 2025, fueled by sustainable food programs and technological innovation. Farmonaut
• The European Urban Mobility Framework explicitly identifies advanced air mobility as a key pillar for sustainable city logistics and passenger transport by 2030. Market Data Forecast
• Over 70% of agricultural cities are expected to adopt sustainable farming practices by 2026. Farmonaut
• Ecuador could promote an AI strategy focused on its structural challenges such as water management, sustainable agriculture, disaster prevention, or rural education. Havana Times
• Designed to enhance connectivity between the UAE's key cities, Etihad Rail will slash travel times and make commuting greener and more sustainable. Travel And Tour World
• AI demand will require immense amounts of power and cooling that are not sustainable on Earth without imposing hardship on communities and the environment. Al Jazeera
• The Joint Center called for a modernized, sustainable contribution system that does not raise costs for low-income consumers, as well as a transparent, evidence-based process to ensure that reforms genuinely advance digital opportunity for Black communities and other underserved populations. Benton Foundation
• The Etihad Rail community will provide a much-needed answer for vacationers looking for to maneuver between the UAE's main cities in a quick, snug, and environmentally sustainable method. GCC Railway
• The Welsh Government's Sustainable Communities for Learning Fund is expected to provide £46.5m with £8.5m provided by Flintshire County Council borrowing. Deeside.com
• Egypt's Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy 2030 aims, among many things, to double the agricultural productivity of smallholder producers and increase investment in rural infrastructure and technology development. AgFunderNews
• Designed to boost connectivity between the UAE's key cities, Etihad Rail will slash journey instances and make commuting greener and extra sustainable. GCC Railway
• A continued emphasis on governance, design excellence, and sustainable urban growth will ensure that premium residential developments meet the evolving expectations of discerning buyers in 2026. The Indian Express
• With continued investment in digital platforms, real-time data, and sustainable practices, the UK's rural sector will remain a cornerstone of national food security, environmental health, and economic resilience. Farmonaut

Last updated: 09 March 2026