Smart City Concept Research Articles

Many parties question the government's readiness regarding the plan to move Indonesia's capital city from DKI Jakarta to East Kalimantan in 2024, from the general public, businessmen, academics and even politicians. Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN), the name for the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia which will be moved from DKI Jakarta, which is currently being carried out in the construction process in East Kalimantan, based on Law No. 3 of 2022 concerning National Capital, has the concept of Smart City (Smart City) and digital services with an industry 4.0 center and also as a superhub that is locally integrated, globally connected and universally inspired. This research aims to analyze the implementation of E-Government in the Indonesian Capital City (IKN) and how it is developing. The aims of this research are: To find out how E-Government is planned in the capital city of the archipelago, to find out predictions of public service constraints by implementing 100% E-Government in the capital city of the archipelago, and to find out what efforts the government will make to implement E-Government Government in the capital city of the archipelago is optimal and meets expectations

The implementation of the smart city concept in Yogyakarta is realized through the development of digital based public transportation services, one of which is the Trans Jogja application. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Trans Jogja application in supporting urban mobility and improving the quality of public transportation services. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were obtained through interviews, field observations, and document analysis. The findings indicate that the Trans Jogja application plays a significant role in enhancing the accessibility, efficiency, and convenience of bus services by providing real-time information, intermodal integration, and digital payment systems. However, several challenges remain, such as underutilized routes, discrepancies in travel time estimations, and the need to improve bus stop facilities. The study recommends the development of application features, improvement of supporting infrastructure, and public education to encourage a shift from private vehicles to public transportation. These efforts represent a strategic step toward realizing inclusive, efficient, and sustainable mobility in Yogyakarta as a smart city.

This study examines how green sukuk, as a sustainable financing tool, can reduce CO2 emissions by financing the sustainable transportation sector in Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative approach and content analysis techniques to investigate the contributions of funds distributed through green sukuk to different green transportation projects. The results show that green sukuk financing for the sustainable transportation sector reached IDR 34 trillion, the largest amount compared to other sectors, such as renewable energy and water management. Financing in this sector has reduced carbon emissions by more than 15 million tonnes from 2018 to 2022. In addition, green sukuk also contributes to achieving SDGs. By offering empirical data on the effects of green sukuk financing in the sustainable transportation sector on lowering CO2 emissions, this study adds to existing literature and emphasises how it helps Indonesia achieve SDGs. This study also identified limitations in data coverage and economic impact that require further exploration. Future research should adopt a more holistic approach and consider external variables that may affect the effectiveness of green sukuk. The government can increase the effectiveness of green sukuk by implementing policies that encourage its development, including providing incentives for investors and integrating smart and green city concepts as strategic steps.

The concept of smart city focuses on the use of information and communication technology to improve the efficiency of public services and the quality of life of citizens. In Cirebon City, the implementation of smart city is reflected in the Cirebon Siaga 112 program, which aims to provide fast and effective emergency response services. This study analyzes the policy capacity of the Cirebon Siaga 112 program by assessing analytical, operational and political aspects. The research method uses qualitative with data collection techniques in the form of interviews, observations and documentation studies. The results show that although the use of technology has increased efficiency in emergency response, there are challenges related to system integration, response speed, and personal data protection. Recommendations include continuous improvement in coordination between agencies, officer training, and increased socialization to the community. These findings are expected to help optimize various emergency policies and services in Cirebon City, in accordance with the principles of a smart city.

Abstract. Today, numerous studies explore the concepts of Smart City and City Information Modeling (CIM), highlighting the need to develop methods for systematizing, analyzing, and representing data typically managed by different information systems. The shared vision is to integrate BIM outputs with those from GIS, as well as with data from various other sources (historical documents, technical reports, IoT sensors, etc.), within a single working environment, thus building a true digital twin of extensive territorial areas. The goal is to optimize decision-making processes at both building and urban scales, and a potential solution lies in the combined use of Business Intelligence (BI) tools, which allow for the reading, integration, and querying of data stored across the different information systems mentioned. In this context, the present contribution aims to frame the issue of data integration and to test a digital solution integrating BIM, GIS, and BI, developed through a collaboration between the research group at the University of Naples Federico II and the company ACCA Software, and applied to publicly owned building assets.

This study investigates the application and transformation potential of smart city concepts along Zhongyang Road in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. By introducing evaluation mechanisms such as the Smart City Maturity Index (SCMI) and the Composite Key Performance Indicator (CKPI), the research systematically analyzes the effectiveness of implementations across areas including transportation, energy, governance, and citizen engagement. Furthermore, Formula (1) is applied to assess the improvement in average delay time after the integration of smart technologies, while Formula (2) quantifies the annual energy savings achieved by replacing conventional streetlights with solar-powered ones, demonstrating tangible energy-saving and carbon-reduction benefits. The findings indicate that cross-sector collaboration and technological integration can significantly enhance urban operational efficiency and sustainability, providing valuable insights for the development of other new towns.

Traffic congestion has become a critical issue worldwide, significantly impacting the quality of life and causing economic losses in urban areas. To address this, the concept of smart cities has emerged, utilizing technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize transportation systems. One of the main challenges in smart city traffic management is accurately predicting traffic congestion. Existing approaches often struggle with providing reliable predictions, especially in cloud-based environments, which can lead to inaccurate traffic estimates. This article, propose a novel data-driven approach to predict traffic congestion in smart cities using a hybrid model that combines bi-directional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM), convolutional neural networks (CNN), and an attention network. This model leverages factors such as traffic conditions, road types, and weather data to improve prediction accuracy. The model’s performance is evaluated using key metrics including root mean squared error (RMSE), mean squared error (MSE), and mean absolute error (MAE), across four junctions (J1, J2, J3, J4). The proposed model consistently outperforms existing methods, including gated recurrent unit (GRU), long short-term memory (LSTM), CNN, and multi-layer perceptron (MLP). In Junction 1, the proposed model achieved the best results with RMSE = 0.252, MSE = 0.063, and MAE = 0.178. In Junction 2, the proposed model again led with RMSE = 0.561, while other models, like GRU and LSTM, showed higher error rates. These results confirm that the hybrid model is more effective at predicting traffic congestion, particularly in dynamic urban environments. The proposed approach offers a promising solution for improving traffic flow and optimizing smart city infrastructure.

Construction of a comprehensive evaluation model for old community renewal in Suzhou based on smart city concepts

The smart city paradigm has attained international visibility as a multidimensional policy framework for overcoming urbanization problems via the convergence of digital technologies, sustainable infrastructure, innovation systems, and data-driven management. This study aims to evaluate the spatial capacity of Kazakhstan’s regions for implementing smart city initiatives using enterprise-level data from the 2024 World Bank Enterprise Survey (B-READY). The paper uses five dimensions of smart city readiness: digitalization, infrastructure reliability, environmental sustainability, innovation potential, and management efficiency. Based on the application of multifactorial linear regression with regional fixed effects, significant interregional differences have been identified. Thus, the share of electronic payments in Astana reaches 74.5%, while in the northern regions it is only 65.0%. A statistically significant negative relationship has been established between innovation activity and the level of digitalization (β = -18.26, p = 0.023), which may indicate a sectoral segmentation of the digital economy. Cluster analysis, based on standardized values of five smart city readiness indicators, allowed the regions of Kazakhstan to be grouped into three clusters, each of which reflects a different level of institutional, digital and infrastructural readiness to implement the concept of smart cities. The research contributes to the sparse empirical literature on smart city readiness in Central Asia by providing a firm-level, quantitative evaluation of spatial inequalities and institutional drivers. Policy recommendations include targeted infrastructural investments, support for innovation, and administrative reform in underperforming regions. Subsequent research should integrate longitudinal data and citizen-level surveys to better contextualize Kazakhstan's urban digitalization.

The rapid growth of cities in Indonesia, especially in market and terminal areas, poses challenges in managing logistics and parking of goods vehicles. The main problem is the limited land that causes vehicles to park haphazardly, resulting in congestion and delays in distribution. This study develops a Smart Loading Zone system based on Arduino Uno, with ultrasonic sensors to detect vehicles, servo motors as automatic portal drivers, and LCD screens to display available parking slot information. After the system was assembled and tested, the results showed that the ultrasonic sensor was able to detect vehicles accurately, while the servo motor and LCD worked according to the specified system logic. The portal opens automatically when a vehicle is detected and slot information is immediately updated on the LCD. This system helps regulate vehicle flow to be more orderly, avoids haphazard parking, and speeds up the loading and unloading process. This system is effective and economical to be applied in dense areas, and supports the smart city concept in micro logistics management. This technology can also be further developed as an IoT-based solution for more efficient distribution management.

Civil engineering today faces the challenge of responding to climate change, rapid urbanization, and the need to reduce environmental impacts. These factors drive the search for more sustainable approaches and the adoption of digital technologies. This article addresses three principal dimensions: advanced low-impact materials, resilient structural designs, and digital tools applied throughout the infrastructure life cycle. To this end, a systematic search was conducted considering studies published between 2020 and 2025, including both experimental and review works. The results show that materials such as geopolymers, biopolymers, natural fibers, and nanocomposites can significantly reduce the carbon footprint; however, they still face regulatory, cost, and adoption barriers. Likewise, modular, adaptable, and performance-based design proposals enhance infrastructure resilience against extreme climate events. Finally, digital tools such as Building Information Modeling, digital twins, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and 3D printing provide improvements in planning, construction, and maintenance, though with limitations related to interoperability, investment, and training. In conclusion, the integration of materials, design, and digitalization presents a promising pathway toward safer, more resilient, and sustainable infrastructure, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the concept of smart cities.

Digital transformation in government governance is one of the main strategies for increasing the efficiency and quality of public services. The smart city concept is present as an innovative solution in facing various urban challenges by utilizing digital technology. This research aims to analyze the implementation of the Electronic Based Government System (SPBE) as a policy in supporting smart cities in Klungkung Regency and identify factors that hinder its implementation. The research method used is a qualitative approach using interview, observation and documentation techniques. The research results show that although SPBE has been implemented to support the integration of government services, there are still significant obstacles, especially in the aspects of infrastructure and human resource readiness. The geographical constraints of Klungkung Regency, which consists of land and islands, also pose a challenge in equalizing digital access. By improving infrastructure, strengthening human resource capacity, and optimizing policy coordination between the central and regional governments, it is hoped that the implementation of smart cities in Klungkung Regency can run more effectively and sustainably.

Towards a digital model of the UKCS using Smart City concepts

Saudi Arabia is embracing Smart Cities Initiatives to transform urban and rural areas into sustainable, citizen-centric hubs aligning with Vision 2030—a blueprint for a prosperous, inclusive, and equitable future. The research explores the potential of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, one of the world’s most significant religious cities, to evolve into a human smart city. Human smart cities are the new generation of smart cities, which balance the technological infrastructure with human aspects. Compared to existing literature that typically views smart and human city models as separate or even conflicting, this study promotes their integration. Previous research has largely focused on the technological aspects of smart cities, highlighting efficiency, automation, and data-based governance, but has paid less attention to incorporating human values, cultural identity, and active community engagement within these systems. This research aims to analyse the technology-based solutions and the human-centered initiatives in Al-Madinah, supported by a literature review and case studies of projects that emphasise citizen participation. The research begins with a theoretical overview of smart city concepts. Then, the research analyses both the technology-based solutions and the human-centered urban initiatives shaping Al-Madinah’s development. The research concludes with an integrated framework outlining strategies to transform Al-Madinah into a human smart city, ensuring a sustainable future for both residents and visitors.

A smart city is a concept that integrates information and communication technology to improve the efficiency of public services, the quality of life of citizens and environmental sustainability. Bali, as one of the largest tourism centers in Indonesia, has started implementing the smart city concept to support economic development and overcome the challenges of urbanization. This research aims to evaluate the implementation of smart cities in Bali through a literature review approach, focusing on six main components of smart cities. Analysis was carried out on various national and international studies and reports related to smart city implementation in Bali, especially in the Denpasar and Badung areas to identify the stages of development and implementation of each component. The main focus is to examine how technology has been applied in the public service, transportation, security and tourism sectors, as well as the challenges faced in implementing this technology. The evaluation results show that the implementation of the smart city concept in Bali still faces several challenges, including limited technological infrastructure and low community digital literacy. This research provides recommendations for increasing the effectiveness and maturity of smart city implementation in the future. It is hoped that the results of this research can become a reference for the government and stakeholders in planning a more integrated and sustainable smart city development strategy in Bali.

Anti-disciplinary research on how to investigate poverty using the smart city concept.

Abstract The concept of smart cities (SCs) has attracted significant global interest in recent years, as urban areas seek innovative ways to enhance residents’ quality of life and promote environmental sustainability. The SC paradigm represents a forward-looking approach to urban development, leveraging advanced technologies to build more efficient, livable, and resilient cities. This growing interest is fueled by rapid advancements in information and communication technologies (ICTs), which have enabled everyday objects and systems to operate more intelligently, streamlining urban services and daily life. As cities evolve into next-generation SCs, it becomes crucial to examine their key components—ranging from definitions, architectures, and enabling technologies to application domains, implementation challenges, research opportunities, and real-world case studies. This article explores these dimensions comprehensively, offering a synthesis of existing SC definitions and presenting a new definition proposed by the author. It introduces a structured eight-phase Smart City Development Life Cycle (SCDLC), reviews current architectures and technologies, and categorizes the primary domains where smart solutions are applied. Highlighting the leading smart cities of 2025, the article also provides an in-depth case study of Amman, Jordan, and concludes with a discussion of key insights drawn from the overall study.

One of the fundamental goals of contemporary mobility is to optimize transport processes in urban areas. The solution in this area seems to be the implementation of the idea of sustainable transport systems based on the Smart City concept. The article presents a case study—an assessment of the possibilities of changing mobility habits based on the idea of sustainable urban transport, taking into account the criterion of energy consumption of individual means of transport. The analyses are based on a comparison of selected means of transport occurring in the urban environment according to several key parameters for the optimization and efficiency of transport processes, i.e., cost, time, travel comfort, and impact on the natural environment, while simultaneously linking them to the criterion of energy consumption of individual means of transport. The analyzed parameters currently constitute the most important group of challenges in the area of shaping and planning optimal and sustainable urban transport. The presented research was used to indicate the connections between various areas of optimization of the transport process and the energy efficiency of individual modes of transport. Analyses have shown that the least time-consuming process of urban mobility is associated with the highest level of CO2 emissions and, at the same time, the highest level of energy efficiency. However, combining public transport with other means of transport can meet most of the transport expectations of city residents, also in terms of energy optimization. The research results presented in the article can contribute to the creation of a strategy for the development of the transport network based on the postulates of increasing the optimization and efficiency of individual means of transport in urban areas. At the same time, recognizing the criterion of energy intensity of means of transport as leading in the development of sustainable urban mobility. Thus, confirming the important role of existing transport systems in the process of shaping and planning sustainable urban mobility in accordance with the idea of Smart City.

The development of artificial intelligence technology has driven increased efficiency across various sectors, including the management of large-scale events such as concerts, football matches, and wedding ceremonies. One of the common issues in these events is the attendance checking process, which is still conducted manually, leading to queues, delays, and potential identification errors. This study proposes a real-time face detection and recognition system using a transfer learning approach on the VGG16 architecture, a high-performance Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model. The system is designed to recognize participants' faces directly through a camera upon arrival, without requiring physical interaction or manual matching. The facial dataset was collected prior to the event and used to train the model pre-trained on VGGFace. Testing results show that the system can recognize participant faces with an accuracy up to 99.5% during training and 100% during validation. and operates in real-time with fast response under various lighting conditions and facial angles. This research contributes to the development of an automated face-based attendance system, supporting the implementation of a smart event system as part of a broader smart city concept.

The development of information and communication technology has changed the global trade landscape, including in Indonesia. The city of Pekanbaru as the capital of Riau Province has great potential in the development of e-commerce that is integrated with the concept of a smart city. This research aims to analyze the optimization of e-commerce through the implementation of the smart city concept in Pekanbaru. Using a qualitative approach and secondary data analysis, this study examines technological infrastructure, government policies, and community participation in supporting the e-commerce ecosystem. The results show that the implementation of the smart city concept can improve the effectiveness of e-commerce platforms through improved digital connectivity, integrated payment systems, and more efficient logistics services. The adoption of technologies such as big data, Internet of Things (IoT), and geographic information systems (GIS) also supports more responsive decision-making, both by business actors and government agencies. In addition, the involvement of local MSMEs is an important component in expanding the adoption of e-commerce in an inclusive and equitable manner throughout the city. This research also highlights the importance of digital literacy among the public, including micro business actors, to optimize the use of digital technology in business transactions. The local government is expected to strengthen regulations, provide supporting infrastructure, and open cross-sector collaboration to accelerate digital transformation in Pekanbaru. A sustainable education strategy for the community is also needed through training, digital socialization, and technical support so that all levels of society can actively participate in the digital ecosystem. Thus, synergy between the government, business actors, academics, and the community is the main key in creating an adaptive, efficient, and sustainable digital ecosystem, as well as making Pekanbaru a smart city that excels in the field of electronic commerce.