User-centered Systems Engineering & Knowledge Management Framework for Design & Modeling of Future Smart Cities

Employing systems engineering (SE) methodology and principles to the development of smart products has the potential of establishing a novel field of research. This paper summarises previous work in this area in order to define and characterise a revolutionary SE and social-networking framework for collaborative education, design and modelling of the next generation of smarter products. A conceptual framework and practical applications of SE approaches and social networking to support smarter product development is proposed. Future challenges that collaborative SE and interactive social networking techniques are likely to face in this domain are also discussed.

Employing user-centered design principles along with systems engineering methodology to the development of smarter products has the potential of establishing a novel field of research. This paper introduces a novel user-centered human factors knowledge management framework for collaborative design and modeling of the next generation of smarter products. A conceptual framework and practical application of user-centered systems engineering approach to support smarter product development is proposed. The human systems component in collaborative systems engineering aims to ensure that human considerations, for users and designers, have a prominent place in the integrated design and development of sustainable smarter products throughout the total system lifecycle [12]. Future challenges that collaborative user-centered systems engineering techniques are likely to face in this domain are also discussed.

Human Factors and Systems Engineering Approach to Patient Safety for Radiotherapy

To truly develop Smart Cities a combination of multi-media, human factors, and user-centered systems methodology and design principles will have to be applied. Large capital projects and development of Smart Cities could turn to the use of cloud, analytics, mobile, social and security solutions, which could change the outcomes of economic investments and employment opportunities. In addition, the 'Internet of Things', the interconnection of sensors, devices, and everyday objects, requires a standard platform and 'battle-tested' framework for the next generation of Smart Cities. Improved productivity, asset health, profitability, quality, employee safety, and environmental impact are the desired outcomes. Capitalizing on technology to deliver positive results and preventing 'black swan' events or accidents is a complex puzzle. Legacy infrastructure adopting new technologies, gaps in the workforce, regulatory guidelines, safety performance criteria, unexpected risks, and political challenges can add to the complexity and difficulty. We are finding ourselves in a dilemma where detailed specifications, changes and relationships among key elements in the market are needed but still are ambiguous, changing, and untraceable. In order to be successful, critical best practices in process, requirements, engineering, and risk modeling using interdisciplinary engineering practices could enable successful and rapid transformation. In response to these increasing challenges; governments, academics and industry are increasingly leveraging the systems and software engineering best practices developed in fail-safe industries such as nuclear power, aerospace, defense and capital intensive heavy industries, to aid in optimally balancing competing interests and dealing with increased complexity to deliver results. The presentation will introduce Thinking, and Internet of Things concepts and technologies to describe how they can be successfully leveraged in the transformation to Smart Cities.This presentation shows the need and importance of combining different points of view coming from different disciplines. This way of thinking is crucial to many areas, going beyond the Web and will in time lead to a new genre of computational social sciences that transcend specific applications. Systems Thinking or Systems Engineering differs from downstream engineering disciplines in that the outcomes for downstream engineering are implementations, while the outcomes for systems engineering are specification and governance. Systems engineering is a hybrid engineering discipline focused on the characterization of system properties, such as requirements, design, analysis, and process governance. The primary activities of systems engineering include: Identification of customer needs, Promoting engineering collaboration, Continuous validation and verification, Strategic knowledge reuse, and Systems governance throughout the life cycle.The Systems Thinking process described provides an integrated set of state-of-the-art best practices for engineering complex systems. These best practices have matured in industries concerned with the design, construction and operation of complex, safety critical systems in highly regulated environments, yet are applicable in almost any system today. These best practices may be most productively implemented with a robust technology platform to improve quality, improve overall system safety, lower development and delivery costs, and improve delivery predictability through the creation of reusable assets such as processes, requirements, inspection lists, models, patterns, and test. The approach and platform to be presented is arguably applicable for Smart Cities and has been tested in other safety critical industries, including aerospace, defense, nuclear, automotive and medical projects, products and programs.

This study aimed to explore the case study of Brno city regarding smart city models. We analyzed Brno considering smart and sustainable city elements, i.e., smart mobility/public transport, smart technology, smart people, smart governance, smart economy, smart living, and smart environment based on transport, energy, and environment referred herein as the smart city and sustainability model. Therefore, we investigated a case study of Brno city in the Czech Republic. We used qualitative techniques such as case study, exploration, observation, and description. We analyzed and comprehended the trends in the various features of smart city and sustainable development of the city of Brno. The findings showed that Brno city is doing its best to maintain smart city models through its governance organs and structures. The city is also working hard to improve some of the aspects that are still lagging. The ongoing developments and the future ones are based on strategic planning for both the short term and long term such as Brno2023, Brno2030, and Brno2050. It was found that Brno has a very well-planned transport system and is integrated with other aspects such as technology, energy, such as the electricity that moves the trolleybuses and trams, and environment. We strongly conclude that even though Brno city still struggles to achieve total sustainability, it is still a model and reflection of a smart and sustainable city. Finally, we noted that Brno city has very good plans and vision the “DNA” of a smart city. However, the implementation still suffers political willingness.

The advent and adoption of internet-based social networking has significantly altered our daily lives. The educational community has taken notice of the positive aspects of social networking such as creation of blogs and to support groups of system designers going through the same challenges and difficulties. This paper introduces a social networking framework for collaborative education, design and modeling of the next generation of smarter products and services. Human behaviour modeling in social networking application aims to ensure that human considerations for learners and designers have a prominent place in the integrated design and development of sustainable, smarter products throughout the total system lifecycle. Social networks blend self-directed learning and prescribed, existing information. The self-directed element creates interest within a learner and the ability to access existing information facilitates its transfer, and eventual retention of knowledge acquired.KeywordsSmart Productsservice systemsSystems EngineeringSocial Networking

The advent and adoption of internet-based social networking has significantly altered our daily lives. The educational community has taken notice of the positive aspects of social networking such as creation of blogs and to support groups of system designers going through the same challenges and difficulties. This paper introduces a social networking framework for collaborative education, design and modeling of the next generation of smarter products and services. Human behaviour modeling in social networking application aims to ensure that human considerations for learners and designers have a prominent place in the integrated design and development of sustainable, smarter products throughout the total system lifecycle. Social networks blend self-directed learning and prescribed, existing information. The self-directed element creates interest within a learner and the ability to access existing information facilitates its transfer, and eventual retention of knowledge acquired.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to rethink the focus of the smart cities debate and to open it to policymaking and strategy considerations. To this end, the origins of what is termed normative bias in smart cities research are identified and a case made for a holistic, scalable and human-centred smart cities research agenda. Applicable across the micro, mezzo and macro levels of the context in which smart cities develop, this research agenda remains sensitive to the limitations and enablers inherent in these contexts. Policymaking and strategy consideration are incorporated in the agenda this paper advances, thus creating the prospect of bridging the normative and the empirical in smart cities research.Design/methodology/approachThis paper queries the smart cities debate and, by reference to megacities research, argues that the smart city remains an overly normatively laden concept frequently discussed in separation from the broader socio-political and economic contexts in which it is embedded. By focusing on what is termed the normative bias of smart cities research, this paper introduces the nested clusters model. By advocating the inclusion of policymaking and strategy considerations in the smart cities debate, a case is made for a holistic, scalable and human-centred smart cities agenda focused, on the one hand, on individuals and citizens inhabiting smart cities and, on the other hand, on interdependencies that unfold between a given smart city and the context in which it is embedded.FindingsThis paper delineates the research focus and scope of the megacities and smart cities debates respectively. It locates the origins of normative bias inherent in smart cities research and, by making a case for holistic, scalable and human-centred smart cities research, suggests ways of bypassing that bias. It is argued that smart cities research has the potential of contributing to research on megacities (smart megacities and clusters), cities (smart cities) and villages (smart villages). The notions of policymaking and strategy, and ultimately of governance, are brought into the spotlight. Against this backdrop, it is argued that smart cities research needs to be based on real tangible experiences of individuals inhabiting rural and urban space and that it also needs to mirror and feed into policy-design and policymaking processes.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper stresses the need to explore the question of how the specific contexts in which cities/urban areas are located influence those cities/urban areas’ growth and development strategies. It also postulates new avenues of inter and multidisciplinary research geared toward building bridges between the normative and the empirical in the smart cities debate. More research is needed to advance these imperatives at the micro, mezzo and macro levels.Practical implicationsBy highlighting the connection, relatively under-represented in the literature, between the normative and the empirical in smart cities research, this paper encourages a more structured debate between academia and policymakers focused on the sustainable development of cities/urban areas. In doing so, it also advocates policies and strategies conducive to strengthening individuals’/citizens’ ability to benefit from and contribute to smart cities development, thereby making them sustainable.Social implicationsThis paper makes a case for pragmatic and demand-driven smart cities research, i.e. based on the frequently very basic needs of individuals and citizens inhabiting not only urban but also rural areas. It highlights the role of basic infrastructure as the key enabler/inhibitor of information and communication technology-enhanced services. The nested clusters model introduced in this paper suggests that an intimate connection exists between individuals’ well-being, their active civic engagement and smart cities sustainability.Originality/valueThis paper delineates the relationship between megacities and smart cities research. It identifies the sources of what is termed normative bias in smart cities research. To address the implications of that bias, a nested clusters model for smart cities is introduced, i.e. a conceptual framework that allows us to redraw the debate on smart cities and establish a functional connection between the array of normatively laden ideas of what a smart city could be and what is feasible, and under which conditions at the policymaking level.

The growth of city population has consequences on the sustainability and development of smart regions. International standards can provide good practices in wide areas related to environmental, security and social aspects that contribute to the achievement of economic and sustainable growth, well-being, and safe environment. The aim of this study is to explore if there is an association between the level of smart cities in different regions and the number of certificates that could initiate further development of smart and sustainable cities. We analysed standards that support the development of sustainable and smart cities from different countries and explored their influence on the level of smart and sustainable cities. To measure the performance of cities we used the UN-habitat City Prosperity Initiative (CPI) and its six dimensions: Productivity, Infrastructure Development, Quality of Life, Equity and Social Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, and Urban Governance and Legislation. To analyse the influence of international standards on smart regions and cities initiative we conducted SEM analysis. The results of the research have proved that there is a significant difference between the level of smart cities in different regions and the number of certificates that could initiate further development of smart and sustainable cities. Additionally, a positive impact of international standards on the development of smart regions and cities is confirmed. We believe that the presented approach might provide additional insights into the factors which impact the development of smart regions and cities and initiate further studies on the topic.

A city is a very complex area with complex governing bodies and a number of decision makers. More often, cities are engines of economic development and are attractive places for people seeking employment and better quality of living [1]. As a consequence, cities are now facing a growing urban population which imposes stresses on urban quality of life and the environment. Among the major challenges faced by cities around the world, urban population growth is at the forefront as it is expected that future cities will be home for more than 70% of the global population by 2050. Other associated challenges include traffic congestion, environmental degradation, security, level of quality of public services, and effective resources management. To ensure sustainable development of cities with such a boom of urbanisation, cities around the world are embracing technology and adopting smart cities concept following the recorded development of information and communication technologies and internet of things. However, the literature [2] shows that the concept of smart cities is not being approached efficiently. A smart city is a system of subsystems and should be approached as a whole as opposed to infusing technology into subsystems one by one. To achieve this, there is a requirement of a standard platform to integrate all the subsystems of a smart city system. This work proposes a holistic model which integrates all the subsystems of a smart city system. The proposed model is based on systems engineering approach and Systems Engineering Modelling Language (SysML) is adapted as a potential modelling language. It is a general purpose visual modelling language for Systems Engineering applications and for complex systems such as smart cities and can handle better complexity and challenges such as documentation, communication, and management.

Background - Smart City integrates systems with the latest technologies to enable fast track of information and decision making by individuals, government, businesses, and public. Smart City connects people and information to manage public amenities, control crime rates, enhance services effectiveness, create vibrant, competitive, and innovative cities, and improve quality of life. Islamic Smart City can be defined as a smart city that incorporates the Islamic Syariah from Al-Quran and Hadith as a way of life; and impart the main component of Islamic Syariah compliance in individual and organisational behaviour aspects such as ethics, cleanliness, trust, security, and others. This research aims to explore the stakeholders’ readiness in four aspects of technology, human, institutional and Islamic factors, which are important in the development and implementation of the Islamic Smart City. Methods – This qualitative research design collected data through interviews with 20 selected stakeholders. Results– The findings provide the state government with insights into stakeholders’ readiness, which is crucial to the development of Islamic Smart City. The findings also show that the stakeholders’ readiness in the technology is high; but it is lacking in the Institutional and Islamic factors. Conclusion: This research provides insights that the development of Islamic Smart City requires major concern such as ensuring the stakeholders’ readiness for technology, human factors, the institutional and the Islamic factors are met.

Local administrations and governments aim at leveraging wireless communications and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to manage the city infrastructures and enhance the public services in an efficient and sustainable manner. Furthermore, they strive to adopt smart and cost-effective mobile applications to deal with major urbanization problems, such as natural disasters, pollution, and traffic congestion. Mobile crowdsourcing (MCS) is known as a key emerging paradigm for enabling smart cities, which integrates the wisdom of dynamic crowds with mobile devices to provide decentralized ubiquitous services and applications. Using MCS solutions, residents (i.e., mobile carriers) play the role of active workers who generate a wealth of crowdsourced data to significantly promote the development of smart cities. In this paper, we present an overview of state-of-the-art technologies and applications of MCS in smart cities. First, we provide an overview of MCS in smart cities and highlight its major characteristics. Second, we introduce the general architecture of MCS and its enabling technologies. Third, we study novel applications of MCS in smart cities. Finally, we discuss several open problems and future research challenges in the context of MCS in smart cities.

The concept of a smart city is still debatable and yet gives attention to every country around the globe to provide their community with a better quality of life. New ideas for the development of a smart city have always evolved to enhance the quality, performance, and interactivity of services. This paper presents a model of a smart city based on the comparison of the chosen smart cities in the world and used the model to validate the requirements for the transformation of an urban district to a smart city. The proposed model for a smart city in this paper focuses on two major components, which are by utilizing IoTs (Internet of Things) in forming a model for a smart city and incorporating culture diversity. The relationship of components and culture influence are the foundation of designing the model of a smart city. In this research, the model of a smart city has been validated based on the requirements analysis from the survey instrument and the results show that the average mean of each element used is more than 4 out of 5. The model of a smart city can be used as a guideline for transformation of an urban district to a smart city.

Due to high urbanization rate the issues of smart and sustainable city planning become very important currently. The planning and development of the concept “smart city” is based on these issues. Reasonable planning of city environment makes opportunities for city competitiveness increase and reduces negative trends in their development. Modern interpretations and approaches to the “smart city” concept are based on many factors. Among them are the increase of economic potential and budget security, the decline of ecological impact, human resources capitalization based on digital technologies application in society development. The review of literature that has been made allows us to classify “smart cities”, to determine features and to specify aims and tasks for their development. Using a definitional analysis the original comprehension of the “smart city” concept has been suggested. According to this interpretation a “smart city” is considered to be a city which resources are efficiently used by all participants, first of all by city- dwellers providing comfort, safety and eco – friendly environment. The analysis of Russian and foreign experience in the field of the “smart city” concept implementation, the results of a particularized inquiry and interview including those organized with the international professional social network Linkedin allowed us to reveal key challenges in “smart city” development. The most crucial among them are organizational, financial, infrastructural and technological obstacles that prevent the “smart city” concept implementation. We have substantiated that the solutions of the revealed problems in the case study of Russia first of all should concern the digitization of a city utilities sector, power engineering, building and public transport. They are also associated with wide-spread application of integrated digital platforms in management and education, in control over environmental pollution in the frameworks of the “Digital economy in the Russian Federation” program implementation. The prospects to create smart cities in Russia have been determined by means of identification of conditions for the solution of the acute tasks of digitization of regional and city agglomeration economy. We have formulated the trends of relevant studies of “smart cities” in the perspectives of development and implementation priority of the project “smart city” at all levels of public management. Also a methodology to calculate a long-term economic effect that will be caused by the project implementation has been developed. Keywords a “smart city” concept, a smart city, city environment, city economy management, digital economy, information and communication technologies, intelligent systems, infrastructure, ecology, development perspectives

In September 2023, the INCOSE Smart Cities Initiative released a framework to evaluate and define smart city systems. The framework includes a human‐centered definition of a smart city and offers metrics of a smart city. The definition, metrics, and framework are based on a systematic process that allows consistent evaluation of city that focuses on providing for fundamental human needs.Many smart city applications still focus on technology, regardless of whether that technology provides a clear benefit to the stakeholders of the city. Systems engineering tools and practices offer potential for improving smart city implementations by improving the alignment of needs and solutions. Unfortunately, in new domains, such as the plethora domains involved with smart cities, systems engineering can be viewed as unnecessary overhead. Therefore, the usefulness of the systems engineering concepts that underlie the INCOSE Smart Cities framework could be overlooked unless it can provide immediate value. As a demonstration of how the new framework could be used by someone interested in engaging INCOSE Smart Cities concepts, a high‐level application of the definitions and framework was performed.The analysis demonstrated that a simple review of the city system, using the perspectives of the INCOSE Smart Cities initiative, could reveal strengths and weaknesses of a smart city and identify potential next steps for improvement. This paper is a case study of how to use qualitative analysis to apply the human‐centered definition and framework to evaluate a Smart City. The case study provides an opportunity to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the new INCOSE framework.