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Smart Cities and Transportation: Reviewing the Scientific Character of the Theories

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  • Mihai Burlacu

    (Department of Social and Communication Sciences, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500036 Brasov, Romania)

  • Răzvan Gabriel Boboc

    (Automotive and Transport Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500036 Brasov, Romania)

  • Eugen Valentin Butilă

    (Automotive and Transport Engineering, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500036 Brasov, Romania)

Abstract

The concept “smart city” nowadays designates a plethora of things. The multiple meanings associated with the smart city, and its imperfect synonym the “robotic city”, continue to provide a topic of debate. In this paper we aim to present an epistemologically grounded review of articles focused on the concept of “smart city” and its correlatives. The goal of this article is to ascertain whether the scientific character of the theories employed in such articles is discussed and/or ascertained. For this purpose, we used Popper’s method of falsification: a theory’s scientific character is determined by its falsifiability and eventual falsification. Papers from the literature were extracted using the PRISMA method, and 15 studies were assessed as eligible for analysis. Most conclusions and results expounded in the articles reviewed that claim to be scientific are arguably based on the unsound logic of verification and confirmation rather than falsification. This has the detrimental effect of reducing to the category of logically false universal instantiations the majority of conclusions about (a) smart city services and infrastructures, (b) intelligent transportation systems and (c) blockchain/Internet of Things.

Suggested Citation

  • Mihai Burlacu & Răzvan Gabriel Boboc & Eugen Valentin Butilă, 2022. "Smart Cities and Transportation: Reviewing the Scientific Character of the Theories," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:8109-:d:854562
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adriano Tanda & Alberto De Marco, 2021. "The value propositions of Smart City Mobility projects," Transportation Planning and Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(8), pages 860-886, November.
    2. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    3. Miguel Leiva-Brondo & Natalia Lajara-Camilleri & Anna Vidal-Meló & Alejandro Atarés & Cristina Lull, 2022. "Spanish University Students’ Awareness and Perception of Sustainable Development Goals and Sustainability Literacy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-26, April.
    4. Liang Zheng, 2016. "What city amenities matter in attracting smart people?," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(2), pages 309-327, June.
    5. Lorena BATAGAN, 2011. "Smart Cities and Sustainability Models," Informatica Economica, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(3), pages 80-87.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fernando Almeida, 2023. "Prospects of Cybersecurity in Smart Cities," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, August.

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