Strategic Resource Challenges in the Development of Smart Cities

Smart cities have an essential role in fostering social, environmental, and economic sustainable advancements. By promoting high-technology and digital solutions, they have the potential to enhance the living conditions in urban areas while using in an efficient and environmentally friendly way the available resources. Companies utilize critical raw materials for manufacturing several key constituents of smart cities (such as renewable energy converters, electric vehicles, and digital systems). Their supply can be hazardous because of diverse political, economic, and technological reasons. The paper goes through these materials and investigates the key reasons for their supply shortages. It also examines the main strategies to address these deficiencies, with a specific focus on the European context.