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This paper investigates the asymmetric spatial spillover effects of digital development across different types of cities. The results of the two-regime spatial Durbin models, using the panel data of 279 cities in China from 2011 to 2021, reveal the spatial polarization phenomenon in digitalization, where stronger cities such as smart cities, provincial capitals, and port cities become more dominant while weaker cities struggle to catch up. Increasing public R&D support leads to positive spatial spillover effects but exacerbates the spatial "Matthew effect" of digitalization. Additionally, marketization plays a moderating role by enhancing resource allocation efficiency and suppressing negative spatial spillover effects. Higher levels of marketization result in smaller digital gaps between cities. The findings provide valuable insights for decision-makers and stakeholders seeking to foster balanced and inclusive urban development in the digital age. • The digital competition landscape follows the Matthew effect, leading to an increasing trend of spatial polarization. • Stronger cities like smart cities, provincial capitals, and port cities dominate, while weaker cities struggle to keep up. • Increased public R&D support exacerbates the spatial "Matthew effect," widening the gap between strong and weak cities. • Marketization serves to alleviate negative spatial spillover effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, an increasing number of academic smart city centres have emerged globally. These centres play a crucial role in conducting cutting-edge research and proposing innovative solutions for cities; they often operate in a complex multi-purpose, multi-disciplinary, and multi-stakeholder environment, even as they struggle to secure enough resources for their core activities. Despite their important role in smart city projects and initiatives, we lack scientific understandings of how smart city centres generate and deliver value to city stakeholders. As a first step in addressing this gap, we studied seven smart city centres across Europe and North America through in-depth interviews. To complement those interviews, we conducted an online survey and collected responses from a larger sample of centres from several regions around the world. Consequently, we provide a fresh understanding of how these centres orchestrate their operations and capabilities to create and deliver value to smart city stakeholders. Inspired by recent research on business model innovation for non-profit organizations, we argue that academic centres can benefit from using business models to align their operations with their strategies to achieve their goals. Our study contributes to smart city and business model research while providing practical implications for smart city centres. • We use the business model as a lens to examine how smart city centres operate. • We examine how smart city centres create and deliver value to their stakeholders. • Diversifying services and offerings contribute to more stable financial situations. • Academic centres can use business models to align their operations and strategies. • We report common challenges and opportunities that smart city centres deal with. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines whether implementing the smart cities initiative (SCI) can effectively uphold children's right to healthy growth. Using a time-varying difference-in-differences model and a data set collected from 2638 counties in China from 2005 to 2018, we empirically examine the causal relationship between SCI and child growth for the first time. The results show that SCI has a beneficial impact on mitigating the prevalence of stunting and wasting. This conclusion remains valid after various robustness checks, including propensity score matching, placebo testing, and instrumental variable method. Further heterogeneity analysis reveals that SCI substantially reduces the risk of growth failure in children, particularly in the eastern region and cities with higher administrative levels, and boys are more positively affected than girls. Finally, we find that SCI can facilitate the healthy growth of children through three primary effects: economic development, reduced pollution exposure risk, and optimized public service quality. This study provides valuable insights into the impact of SCI on safeguarding children's health and establishes a foundation for informed decision-making to promote child-friendly growth spaces in China and other developing countries. • We examine the causal relationship between smart cities initiative (SCI) and child growth. • We use a difference-in-differences model and a data set from 2638 counties in China. • SCI has a beneficial impact on mitigating the prevalence of stunting and wasting. • SCI reduces the risk of growth failure of boys more positively than girls. • Three influence channels are economic development, reduced pollution exposure risk, and optimized public service quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste collection bins with smart capabilities play a crucial role in contemporary urban landscapes, forming integral components of efficient and sustainable waste management practices worldwide. This paper conducts a thorough review of state-of-the-art smart bins, emphasizing advanced features such as material separation and integrated automation. The analysis, based on 79 selected articles from a pool of over 1400 publications, underscores critical gaps in the existing literature. While a widely accepted common ground that outlines the definition for smart bins exists, in the form of waste disposal containers incorporating functionalities such as fill-level monitoring and IoT connectivity, this research identifies substantial areas for improvement. Specifically, material separation practices, including automated waste segregation, and the overall maturity of conceptual frameworks present significant challenges, hindering the optimization of resource recovery essential for pioneering circular economy models. Moreover, a lack of uniformity and standardization in automation techniques is apparent across studies. Various articles propose divergent approaches, each with distinct advantages and drawbacks. Notably, no unified solution emerges that could harness collective strengths and mitigate shortcomings. Identifying these issues is paramount for advancing the field and tackle sustainability-related challenges within modern smart cities. • Exploration of the utilization of smart waste bins in urban settings. • Review of sensing and actuation capabilities in smart bins. • Highlight of limitations in material segregation automation. • Proposal of holistic concept for improved resource recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital transformation advancements lead to rapid urban development and provoke the dynamic scientific and managerial discourse on smart cities (SCs). In recent years, this scholarly debate has been corroborated by novel emerging concepts such as smart towns, villages, islands, territories, etc. These places may significantly favor from the deployment of smart approaches in their territories. The present systematic literature review (SLR) approach may become a first step to studying the smart territories (ST) concept in its broad understanding as it is introduced in the scientific discourse. Since the STs' characteristics are still indistinct and depend on the research context, the authors of the present research explore the extensive body of scientific literature where STs are discussed with no limitation by the year of publication or geography. Overall, 1470 related scholarly studies were identified in the literature corpus, and 57 of them were thoroughly studied. The present study is aimed at deepening the existing knowledge on STs and providing a new definition of the phenomenon under consideration, its dimensions, and a conceptual framework based on the evidence gathered from the SLR on the topic. The results of the research may contribute to the development and implementation of smart approaches across various territories. • A systematic literature review was conducted to understand smart territories' concept. • A smart territory conceptual framework is developed. • An interplay between smart cities and smart territories was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of sustainable urban environments is one of the most pressing endeavors. Particularly the emergence of digital technologies has triggered a range of technocentric movements for urban development, such as smart cities or districts. City stakeholders, including city or district planners, public administrators, or governance stakeholders, expect technological innovations to enhance life in the city. However, citizens are under-represented in discussions about respective technical designs. Against this backdrop, we measure 2930 German citizens' preferences for smart energy technologies and services of future smart districts as a small sub-area of the city and starting point for larger change. Using Best-Worst scaling, we find that citizens prefer local energy storage, photovoltaic, and district and local heating systems. Further, a cluster analysis reveals three distinct clusters of citizens with different preferences. We describe the clusters in terms of socio-demographics, living situation, attitude to sustainability, and affinity for technology. Results provide insight by revealing citizens' preferences for smart energy technologies and services that can inform the design of future citizen-centered smart districts. • Measuring preferences on smart energy technologies and services for smart districts • Identifying three distinct clusters of citizen preferences • Analyzing these clusters regarding socio-demographic characteristics • Presenting findings relevant for (future) citizen-centered smart districts [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review conducts a systematic analysis of a total of 90 Smart City articles from an urban context perspective based on the 'Urban Engagement and Impact Analytical Framework'. Many previous smart city reviews have been conducted through bibliometric analysis from a holistic viewpoint, finding the performance, trend and focused area of smart city research. Therefore, the principal objective of this review is to explore the gap in the adequacy of smart city research engagement with diverse urban contexts, to provide a smart urban environment focusing on Smart Urbanism. This paper highlights three principal aspects of each article; 1) Whose perspective that Smart City research mostly conducted by, 2) The depth of Urban context engagement conducted during Smart City development, 3) Which part of urban development is particularly affected by. These three dimensions are significant factors correlated to each other, that form healthy smart urbanism. By doing so, the findings from this review will lead the smart city research to a practical intervention in urban planning through engagement with the insightful urban contexts. This will offer a positive impact on developing a sustainable urban livelihood for the inhabitants by extending the view of the smart city development towards Smart urbanism within the urban context viewpoint. • In-depth urban contextual engagement is lacking in current Smart City research. • An Extension view of Smart City embracing balanced urban context is essential. • Taxonomy analytical framework is proposed for the review analysis. • The practical intervention urges for Smart City growth as urban planning. • Active engagement of scholars from architecture and urban planning is significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food production in cities has great potential to increase food security and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development objectives. Urban agriculture initiatives correspond to one of the main strategies adopted by different countries, aiming at combating urban poverty and improving the well-being of the population. This study aims to know the commercial urban agriculture of Porto Alegre in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and its implications for the future of the sustainable development of the city. From interviews with farmers, it was discovered that urban agriculture in Porto Alegre contributes to development to sustainable cities. From an economic point of view, urban agriculture contributes to income generation, savings, capital expenditures and tax revenues. Their social roles include education, food security, human health, civic engagement, social equity, and gender equality. In relation to environmental functions it contributes to waste management, energy efficiency and reduction of pollutant emissions. The results of the study suggest the need for incentives to entrepreneurship, projects and incentives policies to innovation and technology, also a broad analysis to discover how to implement these lines of action, as well as other community action strategies. • The urban agriculture in manifests itself in economic, social and environmental terms • Supporting the supply of local food and its potential added value • Discussion relevant to the practice of urban planning • Formulation of policies for actions to support local actors and institutions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant amount of people live in small and medium-sized cities. In the context of smart cities and their further development, these are still often neglected in scientific considerations. We present a maturity model developed by a design science approach on the basis of theory and practice, specifically for the needs of small and medium-sized cities, in order to support them in their development into a fully comprehensive smart city. We derived requirements from the literature on the one hand and on the basis of expert interviews on the other hand. We evaluated our model using the example of the medium-sized town of Bad Hersfeld. Our maturity model can be easily applied by those responsible in small and medium-sized cities and provides a means of comparison with other cities of a similar size. It can further help city leaders to plan the next step in their smart city. • Small and medium-sized cities have special requirements when developing into smart cities. • Our presented model is a unique approach to support cities in managing urban population. • Build on requirements from the literature and expert interviews. • Presentation of the model's application to four European small and medium-sized cities. • Derivation of recommendations for decision-makers in smart cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent decline of global progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the post-COVID-19 era necessitates immediate action in the field of smart cities. This paper proposes a new framework to assess the performance of global smart cities, emphasizing the vitality and potential of sustainability-oriented smartness for global smart cities, as well as the role of benchmarking cities on a global scale. The framework centered around the principles of "humanity-technology-sustainability" tackles critical challenges related to feasibility, interoperability, and flexibility in smart city assessments. By integrating academic perceptions with quantitative performance results, the proposed framework aims to facilitate the advancement of sustainable smart city through urban comparisons and the expansion of global visions within the smart city ecosystem in a post-pandemic future. In each of the past three years, twenty globally renowned cities for smart city development are assessed under this framework and published on UNPAN (United Nations Public Administration Network) website. These assessments aim to draw the attention of more cities to the factors that contribute to advancing smart cities under the new world development goals, to identify benchmark cities across different dimensions, and to assist decision-makers in prioritizing future smart city development initiatives. • SDGs call for urgent responses in the field of smart cities in the Post-pandemic era • The multivocal in sustainability makes the goal of sustainable smart city ambiguous • Bridge the gap between sustainability vision and sustainability goal in smart city • The new smart city assessment framework based on "humanity-technology-sustainability" • 20 global metropolia as smart city benchmarks are assessed under the framework [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart city initiatives have emerged as a global strategy for addressing the significant challenges posed by urbanization. Due to the technical limitations and financial constraints of developing smart cities, many governments have adopted public-private partnerships (PPPs) model. However, selecting appropriate governance mechanisms for PPPs is crucial to minimize risks inherent to transactions between public and private sectors and, ultimately, to enhance smart city performance; these mechanisms are not currently well-understood. In this study, we conducted a multiple-case analysis of three smart city projects in China using an exploratory case study methodology. Through interviews, we identified two key aspects of smart city performance and four effective PPP governance mechanisms that improve this performance. We also established a theoretical model for exploring the relationships between these aspects and mechanisms. Our findings provide empirical support for evaluating smart cities and offer theoretical insights into how PPP governance mechanisms can impact smart city performance. This research also may provide practical guidance for selecting the most effective PPP governance mechanisms in smart city projects. • A multiple-case study was conducted to understand how PPP governance mechanisms for promoting smart city performance. • Data integration performance and citizen service performance are two key aspects for evaluating smart city performance. • Four PPP governance mechanisms were identified by this study. • We proposed four hypotheses related to the relationship between PPPs governance mechanisms and smart city performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human capital is crucial in the development of smart cities and directly impacts quality of life. Smart cities are not made only through their infrastructures and applied technologies but also by their residents' digital capabilities. In this paper, we analyze the relationship between citizens' digital capabilities and their perception of quality of life. Specifically, we use data from a survey in Spain in 2023 from citizens residing in cities with populations exceeding 100,000 with responses from 587 individuals. The results reveal a significant correlation between the level of digital skills and various factors determining quality of life. Residents in densely populated urban areas show higher levels of social happiness when they possess greater digital capabilities. Additionally, one of the questions captured the citizens' digital capabilities, enabling the identification of three clusters. These clusters exhibit significant differences in access to essential services, job opportunities, and levels of social interaction. Residents with more advanced digital skills benefit from greater availability of services and higher-paying jobs, although they experience lower levels of social interaction. Therefore, we demonstrate the fundamental importance of human capital and digital ability as critical components in the construction of smart cities and the improvement of social happiness. • We analyze the relationship between citizens' digital capabilities and their perception of quality of life. • We use a multifactorial national survey for Spain in the year 2023. • The results reveal a significant correlation between the level of digital skills and various quality of life factors. • Residents in densely populated urban areas with greater digital capabilities show higher levels of social happiness. • Human capital and digital ability are critical in the smart cities construction and social happiness improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid urbanization of large cities poses significant challenges to residents' well-being, particularly regarding mobility patterns, infrastructure, and environmental pollution. While extensive research has explored the societal impacts of urbanization, effectively identifying, and addressing critical urban areas remains a complex task. This study proposes utilizing data-driven urban approaches to guide decision-making for urban planners, architects, and policymakers by identifying key infrastructure areas crucial for improving mobility and sustainability. Leveraging open data urban repositories, the study aims to develop a data analytics pipeline to identify urban infrastructure points for enhanced, accessible, sustainable, and healthy mobility. This research focuses on understanding urban factors influencing pedestrian and cyclist movement to promote active behaviors, thus enhancing citizens' health and quality of life. The study hypothesizes that the developed methodology, employing a multi-stage data analysis pipeline and clustering algorithms, effectively evaluates walkability and cyclability in urban environments. Using Barcelona as a case study allows for a comprehensive demonstration of the methodology's potential outcomes without compromising general applicability. The data-driven study explores accessibility and mobility variations, addressing issues of affordability and barriers in new micro-mobility solutions, and contributing valuable insights to informed policymaking for global net-zero transitions. • Urbanization Challenges: Examines the impact of city population growth on mobility, infrastructure, and pollution. • Data Science Advances: Uses data science to identify hotspots for sustainable, healthy mobility. • Pedestrian and Cyclist Focus: Studies factors affecting pedestrian and cyclist movement to promote healthy lifestyles. • Contributions to Policy Making: Provides data-driven insights for global sustainable mobility policies. • Global Applicability: Findings from Barcelona can be applied to other urban areas worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explores how smart cities communicate their actions and performance against climate change to their stakeholders –most importantly citizens- through their annual reports, in a period where public sector standard-setting boards' interest on the topic is escalating. It answers the call for more technical results rather than theoretical discussions on the development of climate change reporting in the public sector. Smart cities are environmentally friendly and citizen-centered, thus closely related to constituents' quality of living, but their infrastructure/technological emphasis could trigger climate change phenomena. The annual report is the basic accountability means to stakeholders, and a communication tool for impression management purposes. Results show different approaches adopted by smart cities located in different parts of the world, with the use of qualitative performance measures exceeding that of quantitative measures. The results show trends and approaches that can be useful as a basis to reflect upon, during the development of relevant reporting guidelines by standard setting boards. • Smart cities are environmentally friendly and citizen-centred, but their technological orientation triggers climate change. • This study offers insights on how smart cities report this information in their annual report. • Results show different approaches adopted by smart cities in different parts of the world. • Qualitative performance measures exceed quantitative measures. • The evident approaches can be used for the development of reporting guidelines by standard-setting boards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China, renowned for being one of the world's largest smart city testing fields, has witnessed the emergence of numerous smart cities. Existing publications highlight the diversity in smart city development, wherein cities with different contexts and institutional factors exhibit distinct characteristics. To delve deeper into this subject, we employed a mixed methods approach to classify 49 Chinese smart cities and subsequently developed a typology for Chinese smart cities in this study. Our methodology involved three steps. Initially, we devised a classification framework based on the input-throughput-output model and conducted content analysis to identify the characteristics of the 49 cities. Subsequently, we utilized a combination of principal component analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering analysis to categorize these cases. Finally, we formulated a typology consisting of five types of Chinese smart cities: knowledge-technocratic smart cities, holistic smart cities, green smart cities, equipment-technocratic smart cities, and emerging smart cities. The findings reveal that different smart city types are characterized by distinct features and priorities in input, throughput, and output. The development of smart cities should comprehensively consider and respect the local urban contexts and the challenges they present. The insights from this study hold relevance for both policymakers and academic researchers. • We develop a typology consisting of five types of Chinese smart cities through mixed methods. • Chinese smart cities exhibit diverse characteristics in terms of inputs, throughputs, and outputs. • Chinese Smart cities that focus on the environment and sustainability tend to have relatively high GDP per capita. • The interpretation of the human-centric approach in Chinese smart cities differs from that in Western contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equity and inclusion continue to pose significant challenges for many cities. Disparities in access to resources and facilities among the residents of these areas are often influenced by factors such as geographical location and income level, among others. Therefore, creating a quantitative basis to detect spatial and socio-economic inequities in residents' access to vital infrastructures is crucial for advancing smart cities. This paper introduces a novel measure of Spatial Inequity that is based on 1) computing building-level scores for each building in terms of access to facilities, and 2) comparing the distribution of the scores of these facilities using the Gini coefficient. The proposed building-level scores will enable the identification of GIS hotspots at a high resolution. Then, the Gini-based measure will facilitate a comparison of the distribution of the scores, and determine if they are evenly distributed and equitably accessible. The Gini coefficient was highest (0.89) for waste management and elderly care, and lowest (0.56) for hospitals, reflecting varying levels of inequality. This study applies this Spatial Ineqity methodological framework to Hong Kong, a representative of Highly Dense Cities. The framework benchmarks urban infrastructure, identifies hotspots, and selects interventions for equitable urban development. • Novel approach identifies spatial inequities via building-level scores & Gini coefficient. • Precise hotspot identification enhances targeted interventions in dense urban areas. • Applied methodology in Hong Kong offers insights into urban development complexities. • Gini coefficient unveils varying degrees of inequality across essential services. • Geospatial analysis & quantitative measures support equitable urban resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper argues that sustainable Smart Cities cannot be delivered by profit-driven visions, but through a process that integrates the diverse aptitudes and needs of the city stakeholders. The study uses mixed methods to examine democratic participation in governance and the emerging notion of Smart City Citizenship in the context of India. Benchmarking and assessment of 21 smart cities reveals the existing participatory processes being "tokenistic" and a substantial deficit in democratic stakeholder participation mechanisms. A deeper assessment in Kochi and Nagpur exposes the existing barriers to citizen participation and reveals that the capacities of capable stakeholders and citizen groups can be channelised more effectively. This study promotes advancing the notion of 'citizenship' beyond the market to the commons. It suggests transforming urban governance into a more accountable and collaborative governance model with a stronger role and power to local government, residents, and democratic stakeholders. • Benchmarking and assessment of 21 smart cities and case studies of Kochi and Nagpur reveal that the existing participatory processes being "tokenistic" and a substantial deficit in democratic stakeholder participation mechanisms • The cities need to break the barriers of bureaucracy, corruption, marketisation, and capacity limitations. • This study promotes advancing the notion of 'citizenship' beyond the market to the commons. • The study suggests transforming urban governance into a more accountable and collaborative governance model with a stronger role and power to local government, residents, and democratic stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effectively addressing climate change in line with the Paris Agreement and the EU Climate Law requires the establishment of governance structures with the participation and coordination of all levels of government and where the local level plays a key role. This is evident with the emergence of city-to-city networks of urban policymakers and supporting initiatives such as the EU 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how approximately 400 European cities are shaping their governance structures to tackle the complexities of achieving climate neutrality, highlighting the key elements on which cities focus their efforts. This study analyses data collected through the Expression of Interest survey of the European Commission's 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, which contains inputs directly provided by local authorities responsible for implementing climate policies. The results reveal the significant progress cities have made in adapting their governance approaches to effectively address climate challenges through for instance the institutionalisation of climate change, and the introduction of enabling and participative forms of governing with the involvement of key stakeholders in the decision-making processes. It also highlights the challenges cities face concerning climate financing and the need to unlock private investments. • Network analysis of European cities' legal powers in climate-related sectors • Urban climate governance models necessitate continuous adjustments. • European cities face challenges when financing climate actions. • Stakeholders' collaboration is essential for urban climate transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuelled by cutting-edge technology, smart cities offer vast potential to enhance urban living, elevate service delivery, and foster sustainability. Central to this digital transformation is seamless data exchange across city sectors like transportation, healthcare, energy, education, and so on. However, stringent data protection laws pose a significant hurdle to cross-sectoral data sharing in smart cities. This study explores the multifaceted aspects of cross-sectoral data sharing within smart cities. It investigates its significance, identifies barriers, and outlines prerequisites while navigating data protection regulations. The findings highlight a critical gap in the existing literature, emphasising the need for a comprehensive framework. Guided by a thematic analysis of insights from 14 interviews with expertise in smart cities, emphasising data-sharing and data protection legislation, this framework provides a systematic approach to enable cross-sectoral data-sharing in smart cities. It serves as a guide for urban planners and stakeholders. Following its initial development, the framework undergoes validation through interviews with six smart city experts. Their insights confirm the framework's robustness and efficacy in addressing the research question. Hence, this research advances the discourse on smart city development and offers a blueprint for balancing cross-sectoral data-sharing with data protection regulations, bridging the gap between innovation and compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An understanding of how modern Open Data Ecosystems (ODEs) work is critical in the context of current trends towards sustainability and smartness, while is seen to be an asset to support urban governance and development, in coordinating actions, and fostering civic engagement. This paper aims to establish such understanding by analyzing the contextual patterns, platforms, and components shaping sustainable ODEs by employing platform theory. This study explores and compares characteristics, similarities, differences, and best approaches in 19 cities across 8 countries. In this study we (1) identify 50 patterns that influence and shape sustainable ODEs and their platforms, i.e., Open Data Platform Ecosystems (ODPEs); (2) explore the relationships between platforms and other ODPEs components by developing a respective model, and identifying internal platforms and other components; (3) empirically validate the conceptual findings of five types of ODPEs presented in the literature, redefining them from the conceptual to real-life implementation of the respective components in sample cities; (4) considering the experience gained during the study with respect to the ODPEs and external pressures and environments that shape or influence them, we define 12 recommendations for policy planning and urban governance of more sustainable ODEs. • Identifies 50 patterns that influence and shape sustainable ODEs in smart cities • Defines the Open Data Platform Ecosystem (ODPE) and its components and relationships • Empirically validates the conceptual findings of five types of smart city ODPEs • Defines 12 recommendations for urban development of more sustainable ODEs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart sustainable cities have been seen as catalysts for transforming the socio-economic environments of the city to be more knowledge-based and eco-friendly. By combining two buzzwords, 'sustainability' and 'smart cities', planners face the complex challenge of managing their definitional impreciseness, which often involves contrasting views and different expectations in delivering smart sustainable cities in real life. The stakeholders' perception study is critical because the attitudes of professionals and policymakers may impact the strategic directions of smart sustainable cities, especially when no clear consensus is built on this emerging issue. The research uses Q methodology to measure the different perspectives and subjective opinions to develop new ideas by capturing human practice, in this case, from smart city practitioners in China. The research assists planning practice that requires multiple implementation processes to deal with the complexity and dynamics of diverse issues involved in smart sustainable cities. • Assisting planning practice in understanding the complexity of smart sustainable city development. • Introducing the multiple research methods and approaches to enhance Q methodology. • Visualising the subjective landscape with contrasting views of diverse stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inland areas are suffering from depopulation and a lack of services, with many citizens deciding to move to the city. Smart cities require a decentralised and collective energy model in the form of renewable energy communities (RECs). This work aims to propose an economic analysis of residential photovoltaic systems within a REC according to different incentive and market scenarios. For this scope, the Net Present Value (NPV) is used in both baseline and alternative scenarios showing a very good profitability, confirmed by sensitivity, scenario and risk analysis. It is therefore evident how the avoided cost in the bill has a decisive impact on the result and how this is amplified by virtuous behaviour in consumption synchronous to the production phase. Subsequent analyses concern how the profits obtained are divided among the prosumers and it is shown that revenues shared according to a partial energy consumption profile may be the right compromise. In order to consider a more realistic case an additional consumer is analysed within REC. The proposed analyses show interesting policy implications: the subsidies and citizens behaviour are key factors for sustainable cities based on green energy production and consumption. • Profitability analyses support awareness for a renewable energy community (REC). • Self-consumption and subsidies are key-factors for the profitability of a REC. • RECs can support a nation's energy independence and sustainable cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the making of place-led smart neighborhoods. Based on a multimethod research design that combines narrative city walks, participant observations, secondary research, and in-depth interviews, this study takes two older neighborhoods in the Northwest New Territories of Hong Kong as case sites to examine, elaborate on, and envisage the idea of constructing smart neighborhoods through digital placemaking. It finds that neighborhood residents are potentially the most significant actors and hosts of smart spatial attributes. The mechanism emerges through people's diverse and technologically mediated interactions. At the neighborhood scale, the everyday urban smart neighborhood is produced via individuals' socializing and the sharing of information about events. Smart neighborhoods are facilitated and sustained by relatively practical and simple technologies, and their making is more an approach for improving the quality of urban life than a designated goal to achieve. This research concludes that residents' digital placemaking plays a significant role in developing lived smart cities. Three main implementation directions are proposed. • Residents' everyday digital placemaking plays significant role in developing lived urban smartness at the neighborhood scale. • The making of smart neighborhood is more an approach for improving quality of urban life rather than a designated goal to achieve. • Examining urban neighborhoods as smart places in a highly context-sensitive everyday setting reveals the complexity of smart city research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the wealth of research on smart cities, there is a lack of studies examining interlinkages between smart cities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In other words, there is limited research on how implementing smart city solutions can lead to co-benefits and/or trade-offs for achieving SDGs. This systematic literature review was conducted to fill this gap. Results show that responsible development/implementation of smart city solutions and technologies could contribute to the progress toward SDGs. The literature is mainly focused on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). More work on other SDGs is needed. There is a bias toward reporting the benefits of smart cities. These include accelerating economic growth, improving efficiency, strengthening innovation, and raising citizen awareness. These benefits indicate that smart cities could catalyze the transition to sustainable development and address climate change challenges. However, this requires addressing trade-offs related to issues such as privacy and cyber security, costs of infrastructure upgrading, rebound effects associated with efficiency improvements, biased decision-making, reproduction of social biases, digital divide and lack of skills, misuse of AI, and limited legal setup. This review elaborates on these trade-offs and offers solutions to minimize them. Results show that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased attention to the interactions between smart cities and the SDGs, particularly those related to health and climate action. However, it has also cemented many new unethical practices. This review highlights governance/policy challenges that should be addressed to ensure smart cities can better contribute to the SDGs. It concludes that multi-scale and transparent governance mechanisms and regulatory frameworks are crucial for ensuring that smart city solutions support the transition toward sustainable and resilient cities. [Display omitted] • Linkages between smart cities and SDGs are underexplored. • A systematic literature review is conducted to address this gap. • Existing research mainly focuses on SDG 6, SDG 7, and SDG 11. • Responsible smart city solutions and technologies could contribute to SDGs. • There is a bias toward reporting the benefits of smart cities and trade-offs are underexplored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. • Using utopia as a lens, this paper explores the smart city initiative in Stockholm and the idealized futures it promotes. • Methodologically, the paper draws on extensive empirical research conducted using "Utopia as Method." • The paper points to "smart Stockholm" being characterized by utopian logics of visibility , predictability and controllability. • Together, these point to a tendency where planning is sought perfected through the integration of computerized intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present contribution analyses the Smart City Mission launched in the year 2015 in India from an institutional perspective and examines how it is mobilized for coordinated action. Relying on theoretical guidance provided by Ostrom's (2005) 'Institutional Analysis and Development' (IAD) framework and González-Arellano's (2022) and Scott's (2008) formulation of 'Institutional Construction of Futures of Cities', we analyse a corpus of empirical data to suggest that SC has historical precedents in the way it is institutionalized. Further, to substantiate our findings, a structured literature review of empirical contributions (34 nos.) within the SCOPUS database is undertaken. In conceptual terms, the anticipatory praxis of Smart City Mission leverages the institutional structure of doing flagship programmes and a cultural-cognitive affirmation of neutrality in data-driven governance. The initiative blurs the political city as the action arenas of structuring SC initiatives at the local levels lack operational rules to construct desired outcomes. The paper argues for a need to make the action-to-outcome linkage legible and endow agency to participants to act and control the outcomes by framing collective choice rules. Strengthening action arenas at the city level emboldens the capacity to envision collaborative futures and bridge the gap between anticipation and experience. • The flagship architecture inscribes longstanding socio-spatial inequalities and constrains the collective agency • Smart City Mission blurs the political city at the local levels due to lack of action-outcome linkages • Disproportionate power is vested with the process holders (bureaucrats/consultants) to delineate Smart City outcomes • Smart City Mission valorizes neoliberal ethos and a strong centralized state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, we have witnessed an ongoing and interrelated combination of smart city implementation and tourism trends. The current development of cities integrates technological implementation, the adoption of social media, and "smart" practices to interact with users and tourists, influencing their travel choices by offering a highly technological and customized environment. The objective of the study is to examine the impact of digital technology implementation and social media platforms in cities on tourism flow. Based on the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) approach and relying on panel data considering 20 Italian smart city projects between 2011 and 2021, this paper demonstrates the extent of the relationship between digital technology implementation embedded in smart city development and tourist flow. Moreover, it also considers the effect of the amplitude of social media platforms adopted, which positively impacts this relationship. Thus, our findings suggest that digital technology implementation in cities generally influences the interplay between smart city and tourism trajectories. Additionally, a city's ability to respond to and implement the newest and trending social media significantly influences its local tourist attractiveness. • The digital development of cities and their responsiveness to social media influence interactions with tourist flows. • Smart cities with advanced digital technology implementation are more likely to interact and attract tourists. • The amplitude of social media platforms in smart cities positively moderates the relationship between the city's technological development and tourists. • Social media act as a bridge between smart city practices and users, influencing their interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, the notion of smart cities has become increasingly popular to solve the complex problems that cities are facing. To deal with the ethical implications of smart cities, the Netherlands face a proliferation of ethical guidelines, principles, and manifests. However: To what extent are Dutch citizens' interests protected by ethical guidelines? This study answers that question using a critical discourse analysis. This exploratory analysis uncovers unnoticed themes in the ethical discourse on smart cities and offers recommendations to strengthen the protection of citizens. Together, the ethical guidelines that are selected represent at least five major cities in the Netherlands. This study finds that the ethical guidelines support the Smart City discourse in which: data is seen as a promise for the future, citizens' interests are not central and public-private governance is pre-supposed in the digital public space. Indeed, the ethical guidelines overlook how Big Data analytics transforms ways of governing, which is described as 'algorithmic governmentality'. Therefore, if guidelines want to commit to the protection of citizens' interests, this study encourages them to review their guidelines in a Big Data context. However, as ultimately only laws and regulations can ensure the protection of citizens' interests and rights, future research is encouraged to look into the restructuring of the legal system. • Ethical guidelines support the Smart City discourse; the citizen is not the priority stakeholder for municipalities • Big Data renews the logic of governance (algorithmic governmentality) targeting people's digital double • Guidelines are normative to the public-private partnership of the governance of the public space (neoliberal governance) ethical guidelines overlook how Big Data analytics transforms ways of governing, also described as 'algorithmic governmentality'. • Guidelines cannot deliver on the protection of citizens' interests as the municipality keeps the final authority • Currently, only laws and regulations can ensure the protection of citizens' interests and rights [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human mobility is of importance in supporting smart cities, urban planning and constructions of resilient environments. Previous studies on dominant mobility models (i.e., gravity and radiation models) rarely describe the refined spatiotemporal process of human mobility flow forces especially within city. To address this gap, this paper proposes a spatiotemporal flow force model (FFM) of sink/source human mobilities within city, which is derived from Navier-Stokes equation in the field of fluid mechanics. The FFM model outperforms the gravity and radiation models in modeling the refined spatiotemporal flow force process of source/sink human mobilities, in the aspect of intensity and direction of mobility flow force. Comparison results show that the gravity and radiation models in the source mobility scenario can give a rough force estimation about the total outflow from source mobility areas while without the capability of explaining the specific directions of mobility flow from source mobility areas. Pearson correlation coefficient between the intensity results of the two models and those of FFM range from 0.65 to 0.90 and direction differences between the results of the two models and FFM respectively show no clear regularity. In the sink mobility scenario, the direction of mobility flows can be estimated well by the gravity and radiation models while the intensity of mobility flow between small-scale areas within cities is susceptible to inaccuracies. Pearson correlation coefficient ranges from 0.13 to 0.59 and direction differences follow a stepped distribution from high to low within the range of 0° to 180°. In addition, the potential field of human mobility flow force provides a powerful tool for visually analyzing mobility flows within cities. This proposed model enriches human mobility models and is generalizable in supporting smart cities, urban planning, and constructions of resilient environments in terms of the refined spatiotemporal process of mobility flow force. • A spatiotemporal flow force model (FFM) of sink/source human mobilities within city is proposed. • Gravity and radiation models fail to explain specific directions of mobility flow from source mobility areas within city. • Mobility flow intensity between small-scale areas modeled by gravity and radiation models is susceptible to inaccuracies. • FFM model outperforms the gravity and radiation models in intensity and direction of mobility flow force. • The proposed model is generalizable in supporting smart cities, urban planning, and resilient environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the widespread practice of cooperation between governments and universities on smart city and smart government projects, the factors influencing this cooperation are not well known. We explore government-university collaboration to illuminate four potential determinants of success in such projects: output, institutional, relationship, and framework factors. Using mixed methods, including a theoretically informed crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis methodology and thematic analysis of interviews and secondary data, we identify the causal relationships among these determinants and perceived success of government-university collaboration on smart city and smart government projects. We find that for a collaboration to be considered successful, all of these factors must be present and positive. In contrast, a negative assessment of even one of these factors is sufficient to evaluate the collaboration as unsuccessful. • We create a framework for successful government-university collaboration in smart city and smart government projects. • Our study employs a combined approach of using QCA and conducting a thematic analysis of interview data. • Our study reveals both the necessary and sufficient conditions for the success and failure of collaborative efforts. • Our research offers insights into the reasons behind both the success and failure of such projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies the key components and estimates the economic and environmental impact of the Smart City Industry (SCI) in Greece. The main goal is to explore whether smart cities, conceptualized and proxied as an agglomeration of economic activities (industry), can be a force for sustainable growth in the Greek economy. We use an input-output framework to develop a composite industry – the SCI – and estimate its impact on four economic indicators (GDP, production output, employment, and capital formation) and a widely used environmental indicator, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in CO2-eq. We further identify the most impacted sectors through the analysis of the SCI's linkage effects and develop a sectoral classification based on their economic importance and GHG footprint. The results highlight the SCI's growth potential as a leading sector in the Greek economy, but these benefits come at an emissions-heavy cost that needs to be considered and properly addressed. • A conceptualization of the smart city as a formal economic activity (industry) based on its key elements and dimensions. • An approach to calculate the smart city industry's economic and environmental impact via a modified input-output framework. • The SCI exhibits strong production linkages within the Greek economy, with a stronger backward orientation. • SCI can significantly stimulate economic performance, but with a sizeable environmental cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chongqing has made remarkable progress in economic and social development since it was granted provincial city status in 1997. The city had become a leading economic centre for the upper part of the Yangtze River region and a focal point for an experiment in coordinated urban-rural development. How did the city accomplish such an impressive achievement in spite of the impact of the Global Financial Crisis from 2007 and the political turbulence of 2012? To answer this question, we summarise the economic and social developments in Chongqing over the last two decades and demonstrate how the Chongqing model helped the city to sustain fast economic development while achieving urban-rural integration. Given that Chongqing is set to be a critical hub in the 'One Belt, One Road' (OBOR) initiative, this article provides a comprehensive update on the 2001 version of the Chongqing city profile, which was published shortly after the city became the fourth municipality directly under the control of central government. In addition, we discuss the lessons that some Chinese cities can learn from the Chongqing model when dealing with housing affordability issues and the challenges and opportunities for Chongqing in the OBOR initiative. • update the 2001 Chongqing city profile • summarise the economic and social developments in Chongqing over the last two decades • demonstrate how the city sustained fast economic development whilst achieving urban-rural integration • discuss the lessons that some Chinese cities can learn from the Chongqing model • explore the challenges and opportunities for Chongqing in the OBOR initiative [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research applies a unique conceptual model and methodology incorporating popularity, commitment, and virality to measure the social media engagement with residents and visitors of smart cities and how they communicate 'smart' elements and their brands. Digital content analysis was applied to a sample of ten Spanish smart cities (including Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Seville and Valencia, among others), with measurable and quantifiable elements of engagement (e.g., likes, shares and comments). The smart cities analysed achieved acceptable, but rudimentary, levels of engagement via social media using Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. However, they displayed weaknesses related to their image and branding as well as the effectiveness with which they communicated their smart characteristics. The main implication of this research is that these Spanish smart cities have considerable scope to improve their use of social media to enhance their communications and branding. Greater emphasis is required on delivering emotional (affective) messages and a higher priority needs to be given to business and business event travellers and those visiting friends and relatives. • Smart cities with the most social media followers had the lowest levels of engagement via social media. • Instagram generated higher levels of user engagement for smart cities. • Most common smart city social media posts were related to information about events. • Social media is not used to offer smart services to visitors and residents. • Smart cities are failing to capitalise on possibilities offered by social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the concept of the smart city has gained growing popularity. As cities worldwide have set the aim to harness digital technologies to their development, increasing focus came to lie on the potential challenges and concerns related to data-driven urban practices. In the existing literature, these challenges and concerns have been dominantly approached from a pragmatic approach based on the a priori assumed 'goodness' of the smart city; for a small group of critics, the very notion of the smart city is questionable. This paper takes the middle-way by interrogating how municipal and civil society stakeholders problematize the challenges and concerns related to data-driven practices in five Dutch cities, and how they act on these concerns in practice. The lens of problematization posits that the ways of problematizing data-driven practices contribute to their actual enactment, and that this is an inherently political process. The case study shows that stakeholders do not only perceive practical challenges but are widely aware of and are (partly) pro-actively engaging with perceived normative-ethical and societal concerns, leading to different (sometimes inter-related) technological, legal/political, organizational, informative and participative strategies. Nonetheless, the explicit contestation of smart city policies through these strategies remains limited in scope. The paper argues that more research is needed to uncover the structural-institutional dynamics that facilitate and/or prevent the repoliticization of smart city projects. • The lens of problematization offers insights into the politics of smart city-building. • Five strategies addressing smart city-related concerns are identified. • The explicit contestation of smart city policies remains limited in scope. • Further research is needed into how context-specific factors shape smart city-building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A change in housing prices has a profound impact on households' housing equity and future moving decisions. While most previous studies focus on discussing the mobility lock-in effect due to housing price depreciation, revealing that there is a positive relationship between housing prices and migration, this study reexamines their relationship by using the panel cointegration method and city-level panel data for Taiwan during the 1994–2016 period. The empirical results reveal that migration and housing prices are cointegrated, and the influence of housing prices on migration is significantly positive in the long run. However, the influence of housing price changes on migration is not as significant as expected in the short run. To further examine their short-run relationships, we use quantile regression and the results show that the influence of housing price changes on migration is significantly negative below the 0.5 quantile, but it turns out to be significantly positive in the 0.9 quantile. The influence of housing price changes on migration is not significant between the 0.5 and 0.8 quantiles. We conclude that the influence of housing price changes on migration might be asymmetric in the short run. • Migration and housing prices are cointegrated, and the influence of housing prices on migration is significantly positive in the long run. • The influence of housing price changes on migration is not as significant as expected in the short run. • The quantile regression results show that the influence of housing price changes on migration might be asymmetric in the short run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart City is a recent concept that is gaining momentum in public opinion, and thus, it is making its way into the agendas of researchers and city authorities all over the world. However, there is no consensus of what exactly is a smart city, and academic research is, at best, building applications in numerous silos. This paper explores the computer science and information technology literature about Smart City. Using data analysis techniques, we contribute to present the domain from an objective data-based point of view, aiming to highlight its major trends, and providing a single entry point for newcomers. • Smart city concept is rapidly evolving and gaining attention worldwide. • Most smart city publications remained uncited by related literature. • Smart people and economy applications present opportunities for future research. • Identifying most influential works and discussing existing and open issues [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, due to the introduction of new solutions in transportation, environment, and urban management using information and communication technologies, the popularity of smart cities has increased. However, less attention has been paid to the fundamental role of citizens in smart cities. So far, citizen participation with a responsive approach has not been studied, and there have been few quantitative studies on self-organization in citizen participation development. Nowadays, the paradigm of the citizen's role has changed. In the past, citizens had one-sided participation, but now smart citizens must actively participate in urban affairs as well as use modern technologies. This issue depends on legal and social infrastructures to achieve smart citizen participation. One of the recent developments in information technology is the changing concept of smart cities to responsive cities. So far, the focus of smart cities has been on the capabilities that organizations provide to citizens, but in responsive cities, citizens actively participate through activities that promote participation, such as open data, online platforms, living labs, and direct interaction. Additionally, the city is self-organized and uses digital capabilities. Therefore, this study aims to develop citizen participation in a responsive city with a self-organized approach. Based on prior research, a research model was designed, and a questionnaire was distributed among Tehran residents to analyze their participation in a responsive city. Regression analysis was utilized for calculations and analyzing data. The overall evaluation of the model indicated that variables in a responsive city such as open data, online platforms, and living labs only have an impact on citizen participation if there is self-organization. According to the results, only the variable of direct interaction affects citizen participation, while open data, online platforms, and living labs do not have an impact, and their effect depends on self-organization. • This paper conceptualizes the citizen participation in the responsive city. • It shows the importance of online platform, open data, living lab, and direct interaction. • The findings show the critical role of self-organization in the responsive city. • The findings show the necessity of transition into the responsive city due to its benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key purpose of this article is to provide a nuanced understanding of the platform-city-people nexus shaped by digitally mediated mobilities. This article focuses on urban practices of walking, driving and ride-hailing with mobile technologies and their failures on an everyday basis in urban Guangzhou (a megacity in south China), based on an analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data collected from the fieldwork in 2021. It finds that digitally mediated mobilities can be seen as everyday digital practices which are simultaneously produced and reproduced through everyday encounters with platforms and their breakdowns, places, and people's knowledge, skills, and imaginations in both digital and physical spaces. Moreover, digital platforms, as well as their failures, affect daily mobilities in contradictory ways. On the one hand, digital platforms mediate and reshape the time-space of people's daily mobilities and make people adjust and adapt their practices to the logic of platforms. While on the other hand, they allow people to creatively produce valuable data for themselves and enhance their skills of re-organising their mobilities with smartphone apps efficiently. These findings can advance digital geographies' understanding of the complex, contingent and messy relations between digital platforms, urban spaces and everyday practices. • Platform urbanism contains a complex, contingent, and messy platform-city-people nexus. • Urban mobilities are interwoven into the accidental and uncertain aspects of smart cities. • The socio-technological order in China is framed by a regime of government-enterprise alliance. • Chinese people's daily mobilities are not fully subsumed by mobile technologies. • Future works must draw more attention to daily digital practices in different societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart cities have emerged to cope with economic and environmental challenges posed by modern-day complex city systems. This study hypothesized that overcoming such challenges with a smart city framework entails a systematic approach to increasing synergies and eliminating trade-offs between different smart city indicators. This study applied network analysis and used data from 33 smart cities worldwide for the period 2005–2019 to ascertain these synergies and trade-offs by introducing a modified framework of smart cities based on the community identification of interconnected smart city drivers. The findings of this study reveal that very few trade-offs exist in the network of smart city indicators compared to the identified synergies. Furthermore, the network statistics show that innovation, business sophistication, ICT infrastructure, and government effectiveness are key drivers of a smart city. • The study examins the interrelationships among the indicators of the smart city, including the potential negative externalities of its implementation. • This study applied network analysis using data from 33 smart cities worldwide for the period 2005–2019. • Previous research black-boxes the transmission mechanism between policy and outcomes. • Identifying the interlinkages can assist policymakers in strategically prioritizing drivers to achieve the intended outcome. • Innovation, business sophistication, ICT infrastructure, and government effectiveness are key drivers of a smart city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential impact of smart urban technologies used in smart city projects on three dimensions of urban sustainability (economic, environmental and social). Although the literature notes that smart urban technologies and their capabilities are potential saviours when it comes to urban and sustainability challenges in cities, there is a lack of studies exploring the impact of smart urban technologies on urban sustainability. Thus, we address this literature gap by conducting structural topic modelling on smart city projects retrieved from the Smart Territory call for projects. In these projects, city managers' report extensively on how smart urban technologies can support urban sustainability. Our results show nine groups of smart urban technologies that will support at least two urban sustainability dimensions. Smart mobility systems can support all three dimensions of urban sustainability. Technology benefits will be realised by smart urban technology capabilities and through the involvement of the city's community in the use of technology. • City managers may adopt smart urban technologies to achieve urban sustainability goals. • The results link different urban sustainability impacts to different smart urban technologies. • This paper provides a list of smart urban technologies that will support at least two urban sustainability dimensions. • Results provide a basis to measure smart urban technologies' impacts through different sustainability indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth in the international smart city market over the past decade has been tremendous. Fuelled by private vendors and consultants, adoption of smart city technology in many cities has been rapid. How well does the adoption of this technology and the overall design of smart cities align with the needs and preferences of residents? In this paper we examine this question using data from a unique survey of residents in three large Canadian cities: Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. The survey includes perceptions of both the importance and maturity of 23 policy or service areas, grouped along four dimensions (Services, Governance, Social and Economic). The results indicate that there is a misalignment in certain service and policy areas between the types of projects that cities are pursuing and the preferences of residents, indicating the need for broader and deeper engagement with the community in the design and implementation of smart city plans. • Survey results highlight disparities between residents and their municipal governments in smart city development • A gap exists between the preferences that residents place on certain smart city initiatives and where local government direct investment • Cities are aligned with technocratic institutional logic, underpinned by a close collaboration with the private sector [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on Smart Cities lacks of research on how actors understand and appropriate the Smart City. This paper questions in an innovative way their appropriations of the phenomenon. Smart City is considered as an instrument, following the theory of Lascoumes and Le Galès (2007). Is the Smart City a functional instrument: a kind of evidence and a pragmatic solution at disposal or a public policy instrument: not neutral, provoking debates and influencing policies? An empirical analysis is carried on based on a survey among 193 Belgian actors active in the domain. The results show that the Instrument theory is relevant to analyse the actors' appropriation, which do not follow a homogeneous trend. In fact, each actor follows his own logics which will be interesting to study. • The Instrument theory is relevant to study the Smart City appropriation by actors. • Statistical treatments based on a study of 193 Belgian actors confirm this approach. • Actor's appropriation follows a partition between functional and public policy instrument. • Actors do not fit into one or the other category of instrument in a monolithic way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drive towards open data aims at improving government transparency, motivating citizen participation and unlocking commercial innovation. However, various intertwining barriers hinder the adoption of open data. They are stemming from legislation and licensing, technology and operation, use level, institution and governance, as well as economic considerations. Through the use of social network analysis (SNA), this study identified 43 barriers faced by stakeholders in an open data project in Hong Kong and investigated their interdependencies. Hong Kong was selected as a representative case due to its relatively low ranking in the Global Open Data Index (24th) and poor data quality. It was found that the lack of an open data policy should be tackled as a matter of priority to provide technical guidance for the public sector, ensure data quality and achieve expected outcomes. It is also necessary to improve the IT literacy/mindset of the public sector, refine the governance structure relating to the delivery of open data initiatives, encourage engagement from private entities and provide a feedback loop for users. This study explored the interrelationships between various barriers to open data adoption and proposes practical recommendations to enhance open data development in the context of emerging "smart cities". • The adoption of open data has encountered five categories of barriers faced by different stakeholders. • A barrier which is not properly solved can predispose other barriers within the project. • The lack of open data policy should be tackled as a matter of priority in Hong Kong. • Open mindset and IT literacy within the government organizations remain to be improved. • Other practical recommendations were proposed to enhance open data development in the context of emerging "smart cities". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is focused on sustainability assessment for some of the most prominent global megacities: London, New York, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Beijing, Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo. The alternative city rankings are compared and linkages between different sustainability and smart city dimensions are explored. The paper applied ELECTRE III multi-criteria decision aid tool to a panel of twenty indicators. The proposed approach allowed considering performance under four different policy priorities: environmental, economic, social and smart, changing the focus of the sustainability assessment. The results have shown that Singapore dominates the sustainability rankings under environmental policy priorities. Tokyo leads under economic and social priorities, and London and Tokyo – under smart city priorities. The worst performing cities were Shanghai, Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro. The paper examines the innovative sustainability strategy and new governance structures that led Singapore to become the most sustainable city under environmental priorities and offers recommendations for the lower-ranking cities of Shanghai, Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro. The assessment could be a valuable tool for policy makers and investors, and could help identify linkages between different sustainability dimensions, highlighting best practices as well as strategic opportunities in cities with sustainability potential. • The article reviews analytical methods for urban sustainability assessment; • The interdisciplinary linkages among various sustainability dimensions are traced among 140+ cities with a special emphasis on megacities; • The multicriteria sustainability assessment is conducted for 14 global megacities under environmental, economic, social and smart priorities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the methodologies available in the scientific literature for measuring ongoing sustainable efforts at municipal levels are from affluent regions (Europe, US, and Canada). Due to context idiosyncrasies, the models available to measure ongoing sustainable efforts in affluent cities are not suitable for cities in Latin America. Issues related to the lack of infrastructure, the absence of primary and sustainable services, and the problems derived from economic, social, and political environment constraints, which are remarkable in some Latin American cities, have been mostly overcome in the western global north cities. A mere reproduction of successful technological solutions adopted by some cities of the Global North does not mean that the results achieved there will be equally obtained in Latin America. Latin American cities are unevenly developed and in need of different and customized solutions. In the absence of a conceptual and widely accepted methodology to evaluate the smartness of a city considering the Latin America context and in accordance to the literature, this research proposes an innovative model and indicators, levelling up the importance of dimensions less remarkable in previous models. Latin American cities must use their own model to measure their ongoing sustainable efforts that consider the idiosyncrasies of the region while not being tempted to use models from affluent regions, avoiding the risk of reiterating a top-bottom approach and thus using an inappropriate tool. • The research brings the debate of smart cities to the Latin America context. • A model to assess ongoing sustainable efforts of Latin American cities is presented. • The model considers the idiosyncrasies of the Latin American context. • Latin American cities are unevenly developed and in need of customized solutions. • The role of technology in Latin American cities must be viewed with parsimony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid proliferation of smart city (SC) projects is a response to the challenges posed by rapid urbanization such as energy shortage, economic reconstruction (the drive towards higher productivity and efficiency) and demographic increase. Ubiquitous information communication technologies (ICTs) in SCs enable people to understand and manage cities more efficiently and sustainably, thus improving their life quality. However, a number of potential pitfalls have been noted in the development of SC. This study aims at identifying potential pitfalls in the development of SCs and filling a knowledge gap in this domain. Based on an extensive literature review, four major pitfalls are categorized as system information insecurity, personal privacy leakage, information islands, and digital divide. Possible causes and adverse effects of these pitfalls are discussed with the aid of three international case reviews. In addition, this study looks into existing assessment schemes of SC performance that are mainly focused on the positive and functional capability, but sparingly evaluate the possible downsides. It is argued that a SC cannot claim to be successful by solely measuring how much it has done or what it aims to achieve. While most studies focus on the benefits of SCs, this research reveals the challenges facing city planners. It contributes to the body of knowledge in this regard and also provides an insight into the subject matter. A framework for conducting further research on mitigating potential SC pitfalls has been laid. It is intended to inform practitioners, researchers and policymakers to develop proactive solutions concerning both technological and non-technological aspects at an early stage of SC developments. • The development of smart cities might cause system insecurity, privacy leakage, information islands, and digital divide; • Both technical and non-technical issues can cause these pitfalls at the city level; • Few existing performance assessment schemes have included pitfall avoidance as an assessment criterion; • Planners of a smart city cannot rely on technology's potential alone, but should deploy a well-designed policy framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the predicted world population growth of 83 million people per year (increasing 1.09% year on year) compounded with a strong trend for migration to urban centres, there is a developing interest by academics, industry and government to the digitalisation of the built environment and its potential impact on private enterprises, public services and the broader context of society. The governments around the world and others are aiming to guide and standardise this process by developing an array of standards to support this digitalisation, most notably on Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Smart Cities Framework. Furthermore, the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) is creating a highly flexible, dynamic and accessible platform for the exchange capture and of information. There is a risk that this information on the built environment is quickly becoming unmanageable, and the value of that information is quickly becoming lost. This paper presents a smart asset alignment framework that creates an alignment between the information captured at the infrastructure asset level and citizen requirements within a Smart City framework. The framework contributes to the debate on designing and developing Smart City solutions in a way that will deliver value to the citizens. • Smart cities frameworks alone in isolation will not address the citizen requirements. • Citizens currently interact with city services in isolated transitions. • A smart cities framework, alignment of citizen requirements to infrastructure asset performance. • Classification of infrastructure assets as per the functional output provides to the city service. • Classification of citizen functions and alignment to city services [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cities are increasingly turning towards specialized technologies to address issues related to society, ecology, morphology and many others. The emerging concept of Smart Cities highly encourages this prospect by promoting the incorporation of sensors and Big Data through the Internet of Things (IoT). This surge of data brings new possibilities in the design and management of cities just as much as economic prospects. While Big Data processing through Artificial Intelligence (AI) can greatly contribute to the urban fabric, sustainability and liveability dimensions however must not be overlooked in favour of technological ones. This paper reviews the urban potential of AI and proposes a new framework binding AI technology and cities while ensuring the integration of key dimensions of Culture, Metabolism and Governance; which are known to be primordial in the successful integration of Smart Cities for the compliance to the Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda. This paper is aimed towards Policy Makers, Data Scientists and Engineers who are looking at enhancing the integration of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Smart Cities with an aim to increase the liveability of the urban fabric while boosting economic growth and opportunities. Highlights • Smart Cities are gaining popularity and the Internet of Things (IoT) is leading to the generation of massive amounts of Data. • Big Data can be better managed through Artificial Intelligence processes and render faster and more intelligent systems • Technology must however not be the sole focus of Smart Cities as we may lose in human dimensions • Technology must support liveability dimensions to ensure Resilience, Safety and Sustainability as prescribed by the SDG 11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Understanding how urban air quality depends on urban form can have important implications for improving urban air quality by optimizing urban planning and management policies. This study employed the spatial autoregressive model to explore the effect of urban form on urban air quality in 288 prefecture-level cities in China. Information on the air quality (AQI) and six criteria pollutants (PM 2.5 , PM 10 , CO, SO 2 , NO 2 , O 3) were obtained from the hourly observation data of 1333 in-situ air monitoring stations throughout 2015. Urban form is characterized by five metrics, including urban size, shape, sprawl, fragmentation and traffic accessibility, and it is calculated based on land cover data. Results show that urban shape complexity and population density have a significant negative impact on urban air quality. Large city size is strongly related to comparatively poor air quality for cities in Southern China and only shows a slight association with emissions in Northern China. In general, lower-sized, scattered, polycentric cities provide better air quality in China. It is suggested that higher air quality and fewer pollutant emissions can be achieved through urban form planning and management policies, which aim to restrict the blind expansion of urban land and encourage moderately scattered, polycentric urban development. Highlights • Single shaped and densely populated cities are related to worse air quality in China. • City size has a strong negative effect on air quality in southern China but a slight impact on emissions in northern China. • In general, lower-sized, scattered, polycentric urban forms are generally associated with better air quality in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The prevalence of Smart Energy City (SEC) has over the years been seen as a preemptive measure in dealing with many energy problems faced by cities. Like other cities, Accra faces several barriers on its way to achieve SEC. This research seeks to identify possible barriers hindering Accra as a city from becoming a SEC and prioritizing these barriers based on both importance with consideration of interactions between barriers using a two-step Decision Making, Trial and Evaluation Laboratory under fuzzy set environment i.e. two-step fuzzy DEMATEL. For Accra, the results indicate that market barriers are the most important barriers while limited access to capital has the highest global importance score in the whole SEC barriers system. Besides, technology barriers, policy barriers and market barriers are found as cause barriers and high cost of technology dispatches more impact on other barriers in technology barriers category. High interest rate and unstable currency, inadequate infrastructure requiring huge investments, insufficient legal and regulatory framework, high cost of technology and lack of information about cost and benefits of renewable energy technology are deserved to be paid more attention since they have both high important and cause indexes. The result is to enhance strategic decision making since this combination of methods deals with the possible human sentiments in decision making and also organizes barriers into cause and effect groups based on their interactions, with the cause groups been critical since their presence can give rise to effect group barriers. Highlights • The interactions between barriers to SEC are taken into consideration. • The barriers are divided into cause group barriers and effect group barriers. • Two-step fuzzy DEMATEL is proposed to prioritize the interactive barriers to SEC. • Limited access to capital is the most important barrier in the whole barriers system in Accra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]