A global-scale review of smart city practice and research focusing on residential neighbourhoods

Abstract

Smart cities have emerged as a pivotal aspect of urban planning and policy, leveraging technology and data analytics to enhance sustainability and citizens' quality of life. Nonetheless, the focus on residential neighbourhoods, integral components of cities, has been notably lacking in the sphere of smart city planning and policy. This paper endeavours to assess the evolution of smart cities in relation to neighbourhoods, elucidating dimensions and sectors while concentrating on comprehending project applications and their outcomes. This study employs a systematic literature review to ascertain the role of neighbourhoods within smart cities. Using content analysis, this methodology facilitates the accumulation of insights into smart city research and practice at the neighbourhood level. The paper empirically addresses these findings, identifying dimensions and pertinent sectors concerning residential neighbourhoods.Furthermore, it delves into projects and applications, elaborating on their implementation across diverse sectors. The analysis discerns gaps in technology-driven development planning for varying neighbourhood types within smart cities. Introducing technology-driven advancements into existing urban settings presents substantial challenges, particularly for developing nations, primarily due to limitations and constraints imposed by their current built environments. The study further underscores the perils tied to implementing city-level policies at the neighbourhood scale, prompting a query about their inclusivity. The findings imply the imperative of integrating physical planning and technology-driven solutions within smart city development, with a keen focus on neighbourhoods' social and physical characteristics. This approach becomes particularly significant when considering the inherent risks and constraints that accompany technology-based urban enhancements in the context of neighbourhoods.