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Smart Cities in comparison: An analysis of the best Smart Cities

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  • Stefano CARBONI

    (University of Sassari, Italy)

Abstract

This research paper aims to identify the best Smart City in the world, by investigating the rankings of Smart Cities, based on its main characteristics and implemented policies. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of what makes a city “Smart” and to highlight the successful strategies employed by the top-ranked Smart Cities. The research employs a qualitative analysis approach, utilizing thematic maps created with the QGIS software. This methodology allows for a detailed examination of various factors contributing to a Smart City’s status, including but not limited to, technological integration, sustainable practices, and citizen participation. The expected results of this study is to report and analyze the best smart cities, according to the Smart City rankings, and also to shed light on the key elements and policies that contribute to their success. These findings could serve as a benchmark for other cities striving to achieve ‘Smart’ status. Furthermore, the thematic maps will visually represent the distribution and implementation of Smart policies, providing a clear and comprehensive overview of the Smart landscape in the top-ranked cities. This research has the potential to contribute to the field of urban development and planning, particularly in the context of Smart Cities. It could guide policymakers and city planners in designing and implementing effective strategies to transform their cities into more sustainable, efficient, and livable spaces

Suggested Citation

  • Stefano CARBONI, 2024. "Smart Cities in comparison: An analysis of the best Smart Cities," Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Journal, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 8(3), pages 65-78, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:pop:journl:v:8:y:2024:i:3:p:65-78
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.25019/fh5e2408
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rasa Apanaviciene & Andrius Vanagas & Paris A. Fokaides, 2020. "Smart Building Integration into a Smart City (SBISC): Development of a New Evaluation Framework," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-19, May.
    2. Carboni STEFANO, 2022. "The new advanced Cities. From the Green and Digital to the Smart Cities," Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Journal, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 6(3), pages 109-122, June.
    3. Al Fauzi RAHMAT & Catalin VRABIE & Galih Bagas SOESILO, 2023. "Exploring the Cybercrime Prevention Campaign on Twitter Evidence from the Indonesian Government," Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Journal, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 7(2), pages 9-24, June.
    4. Tronchin, Lamberto & Manfren, Massimiliano & Nastasi, Benedetto, 2018. "Energy efficiency, demand side management and energy storage technologies – A critical analysis of possible paths of integration in the built environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 341-353.
    5. Stefano CARBONI, 2021. "Smart City - A new concept of green and technological city - A survey will explain the differences between two countries with a different vision of these cities," Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Journal, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 5(1), pages 53-68, February.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Alexandru CRĂCEA, 2024. "The influence of edge computing on the development of smart cities," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 12, pages 297-304, september.
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    5. Andra Paula AVASILOAIE & Augustin SEMENESCU & Eduard Cristian POPOVICI & Razvan CRACIUNESCU & Ionut Cosmin CHIVA, 2024. "AI-driven decision support for SCRUM team selection in smart city software development projects," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 12, pages 453-464, september.
    6. Ioana-Andreea DOGEANU, 2024. "Designing with purpose: The advocacy for sustainable and resilient architecture," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 12, pages 175-190, september.
    7. Tetiana Kolodizieva & Elina Zhelezniakova & Mykola Lakhyzha & Ihor Krupka & Markiian Zaplatynskyi & Vladyslav Andarak & Yaroslav Donets, 2025. "Identification and Assessment of Barriers to the Implementation of Smart Infrastructure Logistics Projects," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 7, pages 168-198.
    8. Ioana PETCU & Ionuț PETRE, 2024. "The next level of the urban innovation: from the 15 minute city to the synergic smart city," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 12, pages 561-668, september.
    9. Horia-Daniel ȘTEFĂNESCU & Ligia NICULAE, 2024. "sVTOL and eVTOL technologies in Romania: Assessing awareness, concerns, and adoption potential in smart urban mobility," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 12, pages 191-217, september.
    10. Laura-Diana RADU & Daniela POPESCU, 2024. "Educational Challenges and Opportunities in the Era of AI-Driven Smart Cities," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 12, pages 549-660, september.
    11. Andra Paula AVASILOAIE & Augustin SEMENESCU & Eduard Cristian POPOVICI & Razvan CRACIUNESCU & Ionut Cosmin CHIVA, 2024. "Leveraging NVIDIA AI technologies in the development of REQAPP: a machine learning platform for gathering and defining requirements for smart cities applications," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 12, pages 465-480, september.
    12. Irina-Ana DROBOT, 2024. "Bucharest: Engaging with history in a smart city," Smart Cities International Conference (SCIC) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 12, pages 229-242, september.
    13. Adnan EL BOUAZZAOUY & Nissrine KHOUNA & Mostapha AMRI, 2025. "Smart supply chains and digital security: Integrating AI into hospital construction in Morocco in the era of smart cities," International Conference on Machine Intelligence & Security for Smart Cities (TRUST) Proceedings, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 2, pages 181-191, december.
    14. Nataliia FEDIRKO, 2026. "Leveraging smart governance for Ukraine's macroeconomic recovery and stabilisation," Smart Cities and Regional Development (SCRD) Journal, Smart-EDU Hub, Faculty of Public Administration, National University of Political Studies & Public Administration, vol. 10(1), pages 109-128, february.

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