Smart City Initiatives Research Articles

Exploring the Contribution of Advanced Systems in Smart City Development for the Regeneration of Urban Industrial Heritage

This article shows the potential of smart city development in revitalizing urban industrial heritage and traditional industrial blocks. It highlights the challenges faced by these areas, such as aging infrastructure, pollution, and neglect. Smart city technologies are examined as effective solutions for addressing these challenges by promoting efficient resource utilization, improving mobility and connectivity, and enhancing the quality of the built environment. International examples of smart city initiatives implemented in industrial heritage sites and traditional industrial blocks are presented to demonstrate the potential benefits of these technologies. This article emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, sustainability, and community engagement in the revitalization process. It argues that smart city development should prioritize the needs and aspirations of local communities, leveraging their knowledge and expertise for long-term success and sustainability. This article underscores the significance of adopting a comprehensive and integrated approach to urban revitalization that considers social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. It suggests that smart city development can act as a catalyst for transforming urban industrial areas into thriving and resilient landscapes capable of addressing the challenges of the 21st century. This article aims to explore the potential of smart city development in revitalizing urban industrial heritage and traditional industrial blocks while advocating for equitable outcomes and sustainable urban environments.

Fostering Smart Citizens: The Role of Public Libraries in Smart City Development

With rapid urbanization, cities worldwide have sought innovative, sustainable solutions such as smart city initiatives to leverage technology and data to better manage this growth and the challenges it brings. Developing smart cities requires multi-stakeholder collaboration, including citizens who, as smart citizens, are aware and capable of using technologies to improve their quality of life and actively and equally contribute to making their cities smarter. This study examines how smart citizens are developed by focusing on the underexplored role of public libraries as community organizations in such efforts. To this end, we use comparative case studies of four U.S. public libraries informed by thirty-seven in-depth interviews with representatives from these libraries, local governments, and external partners. Our findings indicate that by providing inclusive access to advanced technology and training, facilitating civic engagement, and promoting innovation, public libraries can develop citizens who, as smart citizens, have the digital skills, agency, and creativity to actively contribute to smart city development. In doing so, public libraries can bridge digital and social divides and thereby develop smart citizens in a way that furthers inclusive and representative participation of their communities in smart city initiatives.

"Smart City Initiatives and Urban Governance in India: Evaluating Technological Interventions for Sustainable Development."

"Smart City Initiatives and Urban Governance in India: Evaluating Technological Interventions for Sustainable Development."

Smart cities at the intersection of public governance paradigms for sustainability

As a research domain, the smart city keeps growing, despite the remaining contradictions and ambiguity related to its conceptual aspects. We propose to dig deeper into the complex socio-technical nature of the smart city and examine the concept through the lens of different public governance paradigms, therefore aligning it with the sustainability outcomes. Embracing interrelated dimensions of humans, technologies and organisations, the smart city can be viewed through the intersection of public governance paradigms (digital governance, collaborative governance and networks). The case of the smart city initiative of Tampere in Finland serves as an empirical illustration of how the proposed conceptual model might be applied in practice. Providing a novel approach to the smart city from a public management perspective, this model would allow policymakers to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of smart city governance and its multi-dimensional outcomes, in terms of social, environmental and economic sustainability. This approach enables the unlocking of the potential to generate multiple values for each group of actors and ensure more effective integration of smart initiatives, policies and projects, based on the public governance paradigms.

Open innovation in a smart city context: the case of Sejong smart city initiative

Open innovation in a smart city context: the case of Sejong smart city initiative

CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES IN SMART CITIES: A CASE REVIEW OF AFRICAN METROPOLISES

The rapid urbanization and digital transformation of cities across Africa have given rise to the concept of Smart Cities, where advanced technologies are integrated to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and the overall quality of urban life. However, this paradigm shift towards interconnected and technology-driven urban environments brings forth a host of cybersecurity challenges that demand careful consideration. This paper explores the cybersecurity challenges in Smart Cities, focusing on a case review of African metropolises. African cities, emblematic of the global urbanization trend, are embracing Smart City initiatives to address urban challenges and foster economic development. While these initiatives promise improved services and enhanced connectivity, they concurrently expose cities to a myriad of cybersecurity threats. The interconnectedness of devices and systems in Smart Cities creates a vast attack surface, making them susceptible to cyber-attacks ranging from data breaches to infrastructure disruptions. This case review delves into specific instances of cybersecurity challenges faced by African metropolises in their quest for technological advancement. It analyzes the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, such as energy grids, transportation systems, and healthcare networks, highlighting the potential risks associated with inadequate cybersecurity measures. Moreover, the paper sheds light on the socio-economic implications of cyber threats in Smart Cities, emphasizing the importance of resilient cybersecurity frameworks in safeguarding citizen data and urban functionality. In conclusion, the paper underscores the urgent need for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies tailored to the unique challenges faced by Smart Cities in Africa. The findings aim to contribute to a better understanding of the intricate relationship between urbanization, technology, and cybersecurity, offering insights that can inform policy decisions, technological implementations, and collaborative efforts to build secure and resilient Smart Cities in the African context.
 Keywords: Cybersecurity, Smart Cities, Africa, Metropolis, Review.

Transforming KSA's local workforce into global talent: An Industry 4.0 and 5.0 initiative leading to vision 2030

This study examines the opinions of 18 experts from various sectors, including managers, executives, and academics across Saudi Arabia. The researchers first organized the interview data into themes and sub-themes and then applied text analysis and text mining to derive findings and conclusions. Using an inductive approach, they explored qualitative data categorized into themes using NVivo 14 software. The research identifies challenges, benefits, and risks associated with workforce development for entrepreneurs and industry practitioners in Saudi Arabia. It emphasizes the advantages of machine-to-machine (M2M) and human-machine interaction (HMI) for enhancing productivity according to industry standards. Additionally, the study discusses technology innovation, government policy development, business model creation, and job generation through smart technology cooperation. It outlines necessary training and skills for managing local talent within the technology framework of the industry. The study also highlights efforts by entrepreneurs and industry professionals to elevate the local Saudi workforce to a global standard and the associated risks of job polarization and income disparity. The findings offer solutions for sectors like manufacturing, energy, environment, healthcare, education, and smart city initiatives, aiming for security, cost reduction, and enhanced production with real-time outcomes aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The implications of the study provide recommendations for corporate managers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and the government to transform the local workforce into global talent in step with technological progress and industry standards for machine and human collaboration in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Smart cities and economic development: synergies among technology, social forces and female entrepreneurship

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the synergies between the economic environment and the smart living dimension embedded in the current smart city initiatives, focusing on the localization of female entrepreneurship in contemporary cities. This interaction is under-investigated and controversial as it includes cities' practices enabling users and citizens to develop their potential and build their own lives, affecting entrepreneurial and economic outcomes. Building upon the perspective of the innovation ecosystems, this study focuses on the impact of smart living dimensions and R&D investments on the localization of female entrepreneurial activities.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and a panel dataset that considers 30 Italian smart city projects for 12 years to demonstrate the relationship between smart living practices in cities and the localization of female entrepreneurship. The complementary effect of public R&D investment is also included as a driver in the “smart” city transition.FindingsThe study found that the advancement of smart living practices in cities drives the localization of female entrepreneurship. The study highlights the empirical results, the interaction over the years and a current overview through choropleth maps. The public R&D investment also affects this relationship.Practical implicationsThis study advances the theoretical discussion on (1) female entrepreneurial intentions, (2) smart city advancement (as a context) and (3) smart living dimension (as a driver) and offers valuable insight for governance and policymakers.Social implicationsThis study offers empirical contributions to the preliminary academic debate on enterprise development and smart city trajectories at the intersection between human-based practices and female entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThis study offers empirical contributions to the preliminary academic debate on enterprise development and smart city trajectories at the intersection between human-based practices and female entrepreneurship. The findings provide valuable insights into the localization of female entrepreneurship in the context of smart cities.

Technological innovations in mitigating winter health challenges in New York City, USA

This review paper examines the role of technological innovations in mitigating winter health challenges in New York City (NYC). The primary objective is to analyze how emerging technologies are integrated into public health strategies to address the unique health risks posed by the winter season in one of the world's most populous urban environments. The methodology involves a comprehensive literature review focusing on recent advancements in technology within the context of public health and urban planning. Key sources include peer-reviewed articles, case studies, and reports on smart city initiatives, climate change impacts, and the implementation of health technologies in NYC. Key findings reveal that the integration of smart city technologies, such as advanced data analytics, IoT devices, and AI-driven solutions, has significantly improved healthcare delivery and emergency response during winter. However, challenges in implementation, particularly in under-resourced settings, highlight the need for tailored, context-driven technological solutions. The impact of climate change on winter health dynamics underscores the importance of innovative urban planning and public health strategies. The potential of emerging technologies, including nanotechnology for air purification and spatial analysis of health data, offers promising avenues for improving public health in urban settings during winter. The review suggests that technological innovations play a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of NYC to manage winter health risks. It recommends increased investment in smart city technologies, support for under-resourced healthcare settings, and the development of climate change adaptation strategies. The evolution of healthcare in winter contexts is increasingly being shaped by these technological advancements, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable approach to public health in urban environments.

The Emergence of Artificial Intelligence in Anticipatory Urban Governance: Multi-Scalar Evidence of China’s Transition to City Brains

ABSTRACT While smart city initiatives have characterized global urbanization from the 1990s to the 2020s, nowadays a novel artificial intelligence (AI) enabled approach to urban governance is rapidly emerging, thereby shaping the governance and planning of present and future cities. This urban phenomenon can be understood theoretically through the notion of anticipatory governance, and empirically through so-called City Brain systems. This is particularly evident in China where a wide range of urban AI solutions are being experimented at different scales which this paper seeks to illustrate. First, by building a database of AI-urban policy texts associated with Chinese cities, we capture and discuss the national network of discourses surrounding urban AI. Second, we draw on empirical research conducted in Beijing to examine an existing city brain project and explain its impact on urban governance. Our study reveals the multi-scalar policy landscape of urban AI transitions in China and sheds light on the extent to which emerging AI technologies such as city brains can proactively address urban problems, thus developing an understanding of anticipatory governance in the age of urban AI. We conclude the paper by reflecting on the complex corporate-state relations embedded in the co-production of city brains, their diffusion and impact beyond China.

Unlocking the Potential of German Smart Cities: Strategy Analysis through Online Content Examination

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of smart city strategies in Germany through the examination of online content. Smart city initiatives have gained significant attention worldwide as urban areas seek innovative solutions to address various challenges. In Germany, renowned for its technological achievement and commitment to sustainability, has witnessed the emergence of numerous Smart City projects. The aim of this study is to investigate the current status of Smart Cities strategy initiatives in Germany based on a sample of 82 cities. To achieve this, an online content analysis methodology is employed, using the official web presences of the selected cities and information published on them. The content analysis focuses on identifying empirical evidence related to digitalisation, data and governance, and obtaining their transparency and progress in a sample of 82 major German cities. The findings of this study reveal the diversity and richness of German smart city approaches, but also a varying degree of sophistication and transparency of strategic initiatives. As an expression of Germany's federal structure, the cities focus on different aspects, such as mobility, energy efficiency or data-driven administration. The insights gained from this online content analysis provide valuable guidance for policymakers, urban planners and stakeholders involved in the design of smart city strategies. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of existing initiatives, policymakers can refine their approaches, address challenges and promote sustainable and inclusive urban development. Furthermore, this study contributes to the academic discourse on smart cities by providing empirical evidence on the implementation of strategies in a German context. Overall, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the German smart city landscape and serves as a basis for future research, policy formulation and the pursuit of smarter and more liveable cities.

Assessing quality of life in German, French, Italian and Polish smart cities: Identifying the need for further development

The concept of smart cities has gained significant attention in recent years, as urban areas worldwide seek to leverage technology and innovation to enhance their residents' quality of life. It is agreed that one of the core objectives of the smart cities is the optimisation of quality of life and resident satisfaction. This research endeavours to explore the relationship between smart city rankings and quality of life in four European countries: Germany, France, Italy, and Poland. In doing so, we encountered a multitude of complexities and nuances. While the concept of smart cities holds great promise for urban development and enhancing residents' well-being, the current methodologies for comparing smart cities and assessing quality of life require refinement and standardization. Addressing these challenges will not only advance our understanding of the impact of smart city initiatives but also pave the way for more effective urban planning and policy decisions to improve the overall quality of life in urban areas.

Evaluating Riyadh's smart city initiatives: insights from the IMD Smart City Index framework

Abstract This research article evaluates Riyadh's smart city initiatives using the IMD Smart City Index framework, identifying key strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. The findings indicate that Riyadh excels in public safety, medical services, and digital connectivity, reflecting significant investments in these areas. However, the city faces challenges related to traffic congestion, air quality, and inclusiveness, highlighting the need for improved transportation solutions, stricter environmental regulations, and enhanced integration programs. To address these challenges, the study provides policy recommendations, including expanding digital infrastructure, improving public transportation, enhancing safety measures, promoting inclusivity, and increasing green spaces. Comparative analysis with leading smart cities, such as Singapore and Amsterdam, offers best practices that Riyadh can adopt. The study emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure the effective implementation of smart city strategies, guiding policymakers and urban planners toward sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Smart urban progress as a tool to assess urban and environmental sustainability: a case study of Zhenjiang, China

Abstract The proliferation of urban areas has led to significant economic and environmental challenges, prompting urban experts to seek effective strategies to address these issues. Over recent decades, various localized solutions have been proposed. However, in the late 20th century, the concept of smart urban growth emerged as a comprehensive strategy to combat environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development. A “smart city” leverages information and communication technologies (ICTs) to optimize service delivery to its residents. This research aims to explore the regional smart city metrics in Zhenjiang, China. Utilizing descriptive and analytical methodology, the study is both practical and exploratory in nature. Data collection was conducted through library research and surveys involving 25 IT specialists, city managers, and professors. To ensure the reliability of the survey questions, Cronbach’s alpha and hybrid alpha were employed. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS and Smart PLS software through structural equation modeling. The findings indicate that the smart economy has the most substantial impact, with a path coefficient of 0.689, followed by smart people at 0.419, and smart government at 0.292. These results validate the outcomes of the survey. The study discusses the potential implementation of smart city components to foster the adoption of smart city initiatives in Zhenjiang and its potential contributions to environmental and sustainability objectives.

The utopian logics of “Smart Stockholm”: Visibility, predictability, and controllability

What characterizes the ideal urban futures that are envisioned and promulgated within smart city initiatives today? This paper argues for the usefulness of utopia as a lens to examine contemporary urban development projects, specifically smart cities. Drawing on scholars upholding utopianism as key for critical scholarship, the paper explores narratives around smartness in Stockholm, Sweden, and the utopian logics embedded within these narratives. Based on an in-depth case study in Stockholm, the research points to utopian logics of visibility, predictability and controllability within smart city initiatives. These further point to a common tendency where planning is sought perfected–and believed to approach perfection through the supplantation of human planners by smart technologies. As urban planning is faced with pressing urban challenges and dwindling resources, “mere” brain capacity largely appears as too limited and as necessary to compliment with computerized intelligence.

Exploring the nexus between the barriers and drivers for sustainable smart cities in developing countries: The case of Nigeria

AbstractAmidst the rapid urbanisation and increasing calls for sustainable development, this study examines the key drivers and barriers influencing sustainable smart city initiatives in Nigeria. By employing a quantitative approach, the research amalgamates insights from diverse professionals, integrating descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and Spearman rank correlation analysis to illuminate the intricate landscape of sustainable smart city development within the Nigerian context. The findings underscore the interconnected nature of various factors, underscoring the imperative of an all‐encompassing approach that synergistically incorporates infrastructure integration, environmental sustainability, efficient governance, social inclusivity, and economic innovation. Furthermore, identifying specific barriers, including challenges related to integrated urban transformation, socioeconomic equity, and governance and infrastructure, highlights the critical need for precise interventions to surmount these obstacles. The implications and recommendations derived from this study emphasise the pivotal role of collaborative endeavours among diverse stakeholders, accentuating the significance of inclusive decision‐making processes, sustainable environmental practices, and equitable economic expansion. The insights gleaned from this research serve as an invaluable resource for policymakers and urban planners, providing a robust groundwork for informed policy formulation and strategic planning to guide sustainable smart city development in Nigeria and other developing nations.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Bolster the Energy Sector in Smart Cities: A Literature Review

As Smart Cities development grows, deploying advanced technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber–Physical Systems, and particularly, Artificial Intelligence (AI), becomes imperative for efficiently managing energy resources. These technologies serve to coalesce elements of the energy life cycle. By integrating smart infrastructures, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, and smart grids, AI emerges as a keystone, improving various urban processes. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and the Scopus database, this study meticulously reviews the existing literature, focusing on AI technologies in four principal energy domains: generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. Additionally, this paper shows the technological gaps when AI is implemented in Smart Cities. A total of 122 peer-reviewed articles are analyzed, and the findings indicate that AI technologies have led to remarkable advancements in each domain. For example, AI algorithms have been employed in energy generation to optimize resource allocation and predictive maintenance, especially in renewable energy. The role of AI in anomaly detection and grid stabilization is significant in transmission and distribution. Therefore, the review outlines trends, high-impact articles, and emerging keyword clusters, offering a comprehensive analytical lens through which the multifaceted applications of AI in Smart City energy sectors can be evaluated. The objective is to provide an extensive analytical framework that outlines the AI techniques currently deployed and elucidates their connected implications for sustainable development in urban energy. This synthesis is aimed at policymakers, urban planners, and researchers interested in leveraging the transformative potential of AI to advance the sustainability and efficiency of Smart City initiatives in the energy sector.

Governing in the digital age: The emergence of dynamic smart urban governance modes

There is growing concern that implementing effective governance constitutes a significant element in cities becoming ‘smart’ due to its multidisciplinarity, complexity of urban challenges and multi-stakeholder involvement. It is assumed that in smart city initiatives, new governance modes arise through the interplay of technological artefacts and political and social factors, viewed through a sociotechnical perspective. We also argue that traditional urban governance modes help explain emerging modes and the nature of citizen-government interactions. Thus, a combination of the sociotechnical view with the modes of urban governance as a theoretical approach was used to understand the dynamics of emerging governance modes in smart city initiatives. Two cases were studied using a longitudinal qualitative case study and temporal bracketing analysis for an in-depth understanding. Our findings evidenced that the configuration of the elements, governance mode, information and communication technology (ICT) and types of citizen-government interaction varies from one initiative to another and changes over time, across multiple sociotechnical networks in practice, which leads to emerging new governance modes. We highlight that a new understanding of smart urban governance for sustainable development in the digital age needs to be developed as a dynamic process. Moreover, we identified two emerging governance modes and proposed a dynamic approach to investigate smart urban governance in other contexts.

INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STREET DESIGN AND URBAN VITALITY THROUGH ‘SMART-CITY INITIATIVE’ CASE OF PUNE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

The design and use of street furniture play a vital role in the design of public places and in making vibrant urban places. The street and seating area serves as a public meeting place for a variety of interactions and activities. This study aims to explore how street furniture can be designed based on its location, and how it can be improved by comparing real-world scenarios to theoretical principles. This study takes into consideration the context and surroundings of the streets developed under the Smart City initiative, as well as their interaction with the citizen's life. Accessibility, livability, and connectivity are the defining characteristics of urban vitality. The urban street design has become more prevalent in locations with obvious commercial activity. The study aims to investigate the elements of street design and street furniture and their effect on urban vitality and its relationship with the surrounding land use. This analysis is done using qualitative methods such as on-site observations, content analysis of photographs, and walk-along interviews with the users.

A Review on Key Innovation Challenges for Smart City Initiatives

Smart city initiatives are being promoted across the world to address major urban challenges, and they all share a common belief in the transformative power of digital technologies. However, the pace of innovation in smart cities seems to be much slower than the rapid and profoundly disruptive transformations brought about by digital innovation in many other domains. To develop new insights about the main causes behind this relatively modest success, this study provides a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on the connection between major smart city challenges and the essential properties of digital innovation. The review involved the qualitative analysis of 44 research papers reporting on smart city innovation practices and outcomes. The results characterize five major challenge categories for smart city innovation: Strategic vision; Organizational Capabilities and Agility; Technology Domestication; Ecosystem Development; and Transboundary Innovation. This study also explores the connections between these challenges and concrete digital innovation practices in smart city initiatives. The main conclusion is that current innovation practices in smart cities are not properly aligned with what the research literature commonly describes as core properties of digital innovation and that this might be a major cause behind the limited progress in smart city initiatives.