Smart Villages as infrastructure of rural areas: Literature review and research agenda

Abstract

Smart villages represent a promising approach to rural development, leveraging technology and innovation to enhance quality of life, economic opportunities, and environmental sustainability in rural areas. This paper provides a literature review of the concept of smart villages, examining key themes, frameworks, and case studies from around the world. The review highlights the multifaceted nature of smart villages, encompassing various domains such as infrastructure, governance, healthcare, education, agriculture, and community empowerment.This paper identifies gaps and challenges within the existing literature, including scalability, inclusivity, technological infrastructure, funding mechanisms, and cultural contexts. Building upon these insights, the paper proposes a research agenda to guide future scholarship and practice in smart villages. This agenda emphasises the need for interdisciplinary approaches, stakeholder engagement, empirical studies, and policy interventions to realise the full potential of smart villages in fostering sustainable rural development. The paper aims to contribute to ongoing discussions and efforts to harness the power of technology and innovation to revitalise rural areas and create resilient, inclusive, and vibrant rural communities.