Evaluating road network infrastructure as a catalyst for sustainable and smart city development in Douala III and IV Municipalities Cameroon

This study investigates the role of road network development in promoting sustainable development in Douala III and IV municipalities, Littoral Region of Cameroon. Using a mixedmethods approach including interviews, questionnaires, GPS data, and simulations it employed beta index analysis to assess road connectivity and Spearman’s rank-order correlation to explorethe relationship between road infrastructure and sustainable urban growth. Results show high public awareness of the smart city concept and general agreement that road transport is central to sustainable urban development. Road network improvements were seen as key to enhancing mobility, access to services, socioeconomic growth, and reducing carbon emissions. However, major challenges persist: roads are poorly maintained, overcrowded, and plagued by potholes, congestion, and inadequate signage. Beta index values below one indicate low road interconnectivity. This is linked to weak policy implementation, urban sprawl, and limited public transport systems. A moderate negative correlation (rs = −0.296, p < 0.01) was found between road development and sustainability, suggesting a trade-off between infrastructure expansion and environmental goals. The study recommends government investments in smart technologies, traffic control systems, and road upgrades to foster efficient, low-emission urban mobility andensure more inclusive and sustainable development.