The contemporary discourse on urban development is increasingly dominated by the concept of the ‘smart city’. Initially, this term was largely synonymous with the technological augmentation of urban infrastructure—cities where ubiquitous sensors and data analytics optimise everything from traffic flow to energy consumption. However, a critical paradigm shift is underway, moving beyond this techno-centric viewpoint. The emerging consensus asserts that for a smart city to be truly intelligent, it must be foundationally sustainable. This involves a holistic approach where technological innovation serves as a tool to achieve broader environmental, social, and economic goals, rather than being the end in itself. Sustainable urban planning for future smart cities, therefore, represents a synergistic integration of data-driven efficiency with long-term ecological stewardship and social equity. The technological backbone of a smart city is undeniably powerful. The Internet of Things (IoT) facilitates a network of interconnected devices that collect real-time data on a granular level. For instance, smart grids can dynamically adjust energy distribution to reduce waste, while intelligent tr…
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