Search Results (736)

Smart city initiatives aim to enhance urban domains such as healthcare, transportation, energy, education, environment, and logistics by leveraging advanced information and communication technologies, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT). While IoT integration offers significant benefits, it also introduces unique challenges. This paper provides a comprehensive review of IoT-based management in smart cities. It includes a discussion of a generalized architecture for IoT in smart cities, evaluates various metrics to assess the success of smart city projects, explores standards pertinent to these initiatives, and delves into the challenges encountered in implementing smart cities. Furthermore, the paper examines real-world applications of IoT in urban management, highlighting their advantages, practical impacts, and associated challenges. The research methodology involves addressing six key questions to explore IoT architecture, impacts on efficiency and sustainability, insights from global examples, critical standards, success metrics, and major deployment challenges. These findings offer valuable guidance for practitioners and policymakers in developing effective and sustainable smart city initiatives. The study significantly contributes to academia by enhancing knowledge, offering practical insights, and highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research for urban innovation and sustainability, guiding future initiatives towards more effective smart city solutions. Full article

This paper explores participatory design methods for the interconnection of digital recording techniques, like digital photogrammetry and Gaussian splatting, with emerging domains such as the metaverse and blockchain technology. The focus lies in community engagement and the economic growth of urban and rural areas through blockchain integration, utilizing low-cost digitalization methods to create Web3 environments mirroring real settlements. Through a case study of an Italian village, the potential of participatory design and community-led development strategies in revitalizing neglected areas are explored, and the use of low-cost drone-based photogrammetry and Gaussian splatting in digitization are compared, highlighting their advantages and drawbacks considering the aim of this work, i.e., the creation of an interactive metaverse space. Ultimately, the study underscores the transformative role of digital technologies in reshaping design processes and fostering community development through a workflow, stressing collaborative decision-making and blockchain-driven economy, manufacturing, and maintenance through self-ownership models and performance-based smart contracts. Full article

Incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) technology into indoor kale cultivation holds significant promise for revolutionizing organic farming methodologies. While numerous studies have investigated the impact of environmental factors on kale growth in IoT-based smart agricultural systems, such as temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels, indoor ultraviolet (UV) LED light’s operational efficiencies and advantages in organic farming still need to be explored. This study assessed the efficacy of 15 UV light-controlling indoor experiments in three distinct lighting groups: kale cultivated using conventional household LED lights, kale cultivated using specialized indoor UV lights designed for plant cultivation, and kale cultivated using hybrid household and LED grow lights. The real-time IoT-based monitoring of light, soil, humidity, and air conditions, as well as automated irrigation using a water droplet system, was employed throughout the experiment. The experimental setup for air conditioning maintained temperatures at a constant 26 degrees Celsius over the 45-day study period. The results revealed that a combination of daylight household lights and indoor 4000 K grow lights scored the highest, indicating optimal growth conditions. The second group exposed to warm white household and indoor grow red light exhibited slightly lower scores but larger leaf size than the third group grown under indoor grow red light, likely attributable to reduced light intensity or suboptimal nutrient levels. This study highlights the potential of indoor UV LED light farming to address challenges posed by urbanization and climate change, thereby contributing to efforts to mitigate agricultural carbon emissions and enhance food security in urban environments. This research contributes to positioning kale as a sustainable organic superfood by optimizing kale cultivation. Full article

The development of sustainable smart cities (SSCs) is pivotal for contemporary urban expansion, as highlighted by numerous international frameworks and scholarly studies. This study focused on Saudi Arabia to identify and assess the key challenges impeding the evolution of intelligent and sustainable urban environments. By categorizing and hierarchically analyzing these impediments, the research isolates the most significant barriers to SSC advancement. A total of 18 obstacles were identified, organized into four categories, and reviewed using existing scholarly literature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders engaged in executing SSC initiatives, enriching the research from a practical perspective. Additionally, a survey ranked these barriers, revealing that social and economic factors pose the most significant challenges, followed by governance and legal, technology, and environment. The findings of this study offer critical insights for policymakers and governments to mitigate the barriers to SSC development efforts. Full article

In response to the intensification of urbanization, characterized by increasingly dense land use, the proliferation of high-rise residences has emerged as a predominant housing solution, particularly evident in developed cities like those in China. With a primary aim of enhancing the residential living environment within high-rise structures, this study advocates for a comprehensive whole life cycle perspective. By employing digital technology and conducting experiments centered on a representative case study, this paper focuses on optimizing the functional layout of public activity spaces within high-rise residential projects. Specifically, this article aims to address challenges such as the inadequate configuration and articulation of various public spaces, along with the underutilization of peripheral activity areas. Central to the optimization efforts is the utilization of the Kruskal algorithm, which enables the analysis of flow lines and functions, ultimately leading to the derivation of optimal solutions. Through a detailed analysis of our case study, this paper provides actionable insights into enhancing the feasibility and effectiveness of public spaces within high-rise residential projects. Recognizing the pivotal role of public space layout in shaping residents’ living experiences, the importance of addressing this issue early in the design phase was emphasized. By integrating scientifically driven digital technology solutions, smart, inclusive, and convenient communities that cater to the diverse needs of their inhabitants are aspired to be created. Full article

This paper delves into the integration of Factories of the Future (FoF) and digital twin technologies within urban contexts, marking a significant leap in Smart Cities development. We present a thorough exploration of the principles and a scientifically grounded framework designed for seamlessly blending advanced manufacturing systems with the urban environment’s digital and physical aspects. Our detailed analysis has identified core principles crucial for this integration, focusing on interoperability, sustainability, adaptability, stakeholder collaboration, and strong data governance. We propose a structured framework that puts these principles into action, outlining strategic routes for incorporating digital twin and Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies into FoF, establishing public-private partnerships, enhancing education and workforce development, and setting up mechanisms for ongoing evaluation and enhancement. The potential of this integration to transform urban development is vast, providing a model for boosting operational efficiency, driving economic growth, and enhancing urban livability. Although challenges exist in realizing this vision, our research offers practical insights and strategies for cities and industries to effectively navigate the complexities of the digital era. This contribution enriches the growing field of urban science, advocating for a harmonious integration of industrial production with urban development in the Smart Cities framework. Full article

Cities worldwide are attempting to be labelled as smart, but truly classifying as such remains a great challenge. This study aims to use artificial intelligence (AI) to classify the performance of smart cities and identify the factors linked to their smartness. Based on residents’ perceptions of urban structures and technological applications, this study included 200 cities globally. For 147 cities, we gathered the perceptions of 120 residents per city through a survey of 39 questions covering two main pillars: ‘Structures’, referring to the existing infrastructure of the city, and the ‘Technology’ pillar that describes the technological provisions and services available to the inhabitants. These pillars were evaluated across five key areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance. For the remaining 53 cities, scores were derived by analyzing pertinent data collected from various online resources. Multiple machine learning algorithms, including Random Forest, Artificial Neural Network, Support Vector Machine, and Gradient Boost, were tested and compared in order to select the best one. The results showed that Random Forest and the Artificial Neural Network are the best trained models that achieved the highest levels of accuracy. This study provides a robust framework for using machine learning to identify and assess smart cities, offering valuable insights for future research and urban planning. Full article

Existing smart farming technology faces sustainability challenges due to high costs and environmental pollution. This study introduces a novel, sealed smart farming system utilizing misting technology to address these limitations. The system is designed to efficiently use water and nutrients, making it particularly suitable for high-value crop cultivation in urban environments with architectural constraints. Over a one-month experimental period, we monitored the system’s performance in a controlled environment. The methodology included setting up the system and regularly measuring water usage, nutrient delivery, and plant growth metrics. The experimental results showed a significant reduction in water usage compared to traditional methods, with precise control of micronutrient delivery. Additionally, the system’s ability to maintain a consistent sealed environment was demonstrated, which is crucial for optimal plant growth. The system’s portability and space utilization efficiency were also highlighted as major advantages. Furthermore, the system demonstrated potential for cultivation in extreme environments, such as water-scarce regions, by maintaining optimal indoor conditions for crop growth. Challenges such as nozzle clogging and uneven mist distribution were identified, indicating the need for further research in cartridge design and misting methods. Overall, this smart farming technology shows significant promise for enhancing global food security and contributing to sustainable agricultural development by minimizing water usage and optimizing nutrient management. Full article

This study explores the complexities of urban planning and addresses major issues by carefully weighing four options for smart city technology, community-based development, green infrastructure investment, and transit-oriented development. Unlike traditional evaluations, our study applies the novel SWARA-WASPAS model to spherical fuzzy sets (SFSs), thus identifying and navigating the uncertainty present in decision making. This methodological approach improves the accuracy of our assessment by providing detailed information about the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Our study offers useful insights for urban policymakers and planners using carefully weighted criteria and employing a methodical ranking procedure. The aim is to provide insights for decisions that promote equity, environmental consciousness, resilience, and symmetry in urban environments. The application of the SWARA-WASPAS approach not only advances the field but also provides a strong basis for informed decision making. This improves the accuracy of our evaluations and provides detailed insights into each option’s pros and cons. Our study uses weighted criteria and systematic ranking to advise urban policymakers and planners. Our main goal is to help urban populations make resilient, environmentally responsible, equitable, and symmetrical decisions. Our research aims to further the conversation on sustainable urban development by offering a framework based on data that addresses the difficulties associated with dynamic urban environments. In the end, we want our humanized viewpoint to speak to a wider audience and inspire a shared dedication to creating cities that flourish in the face of changing urban environments. Full article

Urbanization exacerbates climate change impacts, making it crucial to develop innovative strategies for adaptation and mitigation. In this context, the “smartness” concept must be seen as the technical capability to forecast and adapt to changing conditions while maintaining livability and safety. This paper investigates the use of Vertical Green Structures (VGSs) as a mitigation strategy. Through a critical review of technology-driven applications, this research identifies key motivations and challenges in VGSs’ technological integration and implementation, governance frameworks, and community engagement. Methodologically, it employs a critical case analysis and categorizes the technologies based on multicriteria; it also explores the potential to implement smart green infrastructure (GI) in cities and the GI urban governance that was developed in previous decades to adopt these systems at an urban scale and increase the community’s awareness of them. The findings reveal diverse motivations driving technology and VGS integration, ranging from economic incentives to environmental sustainability. Additionally, this contribution explores possible future directions for VGSs and highlights three scenarios derived after the multidimensional impacts of climate change with their pros and cons in future cities. Multidisciplinary collaboration emerges as a crucial factor in optimizing technology implementations in VGSs and fostering a transition from nature-based solutions to technology-based solutions in urban sustainability initiatives. Full article

The design and performance of a shallow geothermal system is influenced by the geological and hydrogeological context, environmental conditions and thermal demand loads. In order to preserve the natural thermal resource, it is crucial to have a balance between the supply and the demand for the renewable energy. In this context, this article presents a case study where an innovative system is created for the storage of seasonal solar thermal energy underground, exploiting geotechnical micropiles technology. The new geoprobes system (energy micropile; EmP) consists of the installation of coaxial geothermal probes within existing micropiles realized for the seismic requalification of buildings. The underground geothermal system has been realized, starting from the basement of an existing holiday home Condominium, and was installed in dry subsoil, 20 m-deep below the parking floor. The building consists of 140 apartments, with a total area of 5553 m², and is located at an altitude of about 1490 m above sea level. Within the framework of a circular economy, energy saving and the use of renewable sources, the design of the geothermal system was based on geological, hydrogeological and thermophysical analytical studies, in situ measurements (e.g., Lefranc and Lugeon test during drilling; Rock Quality Designation index; thermal response tests; acquisition of temperature data along the borehole), numerical modelling and long-term simulations. Due to the strong energy imbalance of the demand from the building (heating only), and in order to optimize the underground annual balance, both solar thermal storage and geothermal heat extraction/injection to/from a field of 380 EmPs, with a relative distance varying from 1 to 2 m, were adopted. The integrated solution, resulting from this investigation, allowed us to overcome the standard barriers of similar geological settings, such as the lack of groundwater for shallow geothermal energy exploitation, the lack of space for borehole heat exchanger drilling, the waste of solar heat during the warm season, etc., and it can pave the way for similar renewable and low carbon emission hybrid applications as well as contribute to the creation of smart buildings/urban areas. Full article

The increasing degree of urbanization of the world community is creating several multidimensional challenges for modern cities in terms of the need to provide adequate living and working conditions for their residents. An opportunity to ensure optimal conditions and quality of life are smart sustainable cities, which integrate various resources for their sustainable development using modern and smart technological solutions. This paper addresses these issues by presenting the results of a study of the level and quality of living conditions in the 29 largest cities in Poland, an EU member state. This study used 35 indicators characterizing the six main areas of activity of the cities to assess the living conditions and quality of life in these cities. To achieve this purpose, an original research methodology was developed, in which the EDAS and WASPAS methods and the Laplace criterion were applied. The application of a multi-criteria approach to the issue under study made it possible to determine the levels of quality of life and living conditions in the studied cities for each dimension, as well as the final index of this assessment (Smart Sustainable Cities Assessment Scores). On this basis, a ranking of these cities was made. In addition, relationships between living conditions and quality of life and the levels of wealth and population of the cities were also assessed. The results showed a wide variation in the levels of living conditions and quality of life in the cities studied, as well as their independence from geographic location. Cities with higher GDP levels that were investing in innovation and knowledge-based development fared much better. Full article

Smart Cities have emerged as a promising approach for transforming urban living into more sustainable and resilient systems through technology-driven innovations and data-driven governance. Despite its growing implementation and diffusion around the globe, many questions surrounding this topic have emerged. Many critics have emerged since its first conceptualization in the first decade of the current century. Smart Cities have been criticized for their utopian objectives and the security, safety, people’s freedom, and privacy within these systems. There are also capitalistic and neoliberalism-related critiques. Other critiques also highlight the current climate cost of Smart City initiatives. In the context of those critiques, bioclimatic and passive strategies might provide an interesting evolution of the concept but seem to be left in the background. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the linkages between environmental design approaches and the Smart City discourse. The contribution will explore to which extent bioclimatic and environmental design principles are present in the Smart City discourse and what the patterns are inside the current literature. The methodology of the research included a quali-quantitative analysis of the body of literature in Scopus and a bibliometric analysis using the VOS Viewer tool. Full article

There is a growing interest in sustainable urban transport solutions in cities around the world. These changes, known as “smart urban mobility”, aim to reduce the negative effects of transport on the natural environment and enhance the standard of living for urban dwellers. It should be noted that in addition to this transformation’s technological aspects, modifying the city’s structure and architecture also has a social dimension. The transformation of urban mobility has a significant impact on social relations. Introducing new modes of transport, such as city bikes and electric scooters, creates new ways of moving around the city and can impact social interactions. This can increase social integration and a community’s sense of belonging. At the same time, it is necessary to consider the differences between social groups to ensure equal access to the benefits of these changes in addition to deeper social elements, such as changing the habits and expectations of residents and adapting solutions to the specific needs of each city. This paper aims to look at the social aspects of smart urban mobility, including the impact of these changes on the lives and relationships of city residents. Full article

The construction industry, business models, and smart cities are recognized as pivotal domains with profound implications for fostering sustainability, prompting extensive research endeavors. However, there remains a dearth of interdisciplinary integration within this sphere aimed at fostering sustainable development. Nevertheless, current studies suggest that research in this area could provide theoretical and practical guidance for the sustainable transformation of society and make a positive contribution to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, this paper aims to utilize an innovative mixed research approach combining macro-quantitative bibliometric analysis with subsequent micro-qualitative content examination based on the SDGs to explore the relationship between BIM and smart cities in promoting a sustainability-oriented business model, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the overall situation and development of research topics in the field and contributes to the improvement of the SDGs. The results show that, during the last 13 years (from the year 2011 to 2023), the period from the year 2011 to 2016 was the initial stage of the field, followed by a rapid growth after the year 2018, of which “BIM”, “Smart City”, “Business Model”, “Building Life Cycle”, “Urban Management”, and “Business Model Innovation” are the keywords representing the current research hotspots. The circular economy model that has been developed since 2021 has contributed to life cycle stages, including “briefing stages” and “procurement stages”. As such, the “whole life cycle”, “strategic urban planning frameworks”, and “sustainable business models” have become future research trends, whilst real-world applications such as “smart tourism”, “e-government”, and “green building” have emerged. Further, the key partnerships of “city managers”, “corporate enterprises”, and “public participation” for smart cities contribute to the achievement of SDGs 8 and 17 in terms of integrating urban information technology and urban infrastructure, policy regulation, knowledge-sharing, improving economic efficiency, and promoting sustainable economic growth. Full article