Application of Unmanned Aircraft Systems for smart city transformation: Case study Belgrade

Abstract

• UAS is a disruptive technology suitable for rapid transformation of smart cities instead of an evolutionary approach. • It is possible to design a framework for application of UAS in all six key dimensions of smart cities. • The results show that the SWOT-FAHP model has its application to defining strategies for transformation of smart cities with the help of UAS technology. • This model can be useful for developing countries to reduce technology gap in sustainable urban development. There are different approaches to transform a city into a so-called smart city. This paper proposes a framework for UAS application in smart cities and possible contribution to each of smart city key dimensions. In this study SWOT-FAHP (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats analysis and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process) model has been proposed for prioritisation of strategies for application of UAS for smart city transformation in Belgrade, capital city of the Republic of Serbia. All areas of possible application of UAS, which refer to the period of the next ten years, have been carefully considered. Based on this framework, SWOT analysis has been used to determine internal and external factors of possible UAS application for smart city transformation of the city of Belgrade, taking into account the specific aspects of city. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process has been used to determine quantitative impact of SWOT factors in order to determine the best strategies. The aim of proposed SWOT-FAHP model for application of UAS for smart city transformation: Case study Belgrade is to demonstrate how effective disruptive technologies can be applied alone or in combination with other technologies in the transformation of smart cities.