The rapid expansion of urban populations has intensified the demand for smarter cities that can ensure efficient infrastructure, effective governance, and improved quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors. This demand is increasingly addressed through the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and the Internet of Things (IoT), which together enable real-time monitoring, analysis, and decision-making for urban management 7, 8. IoT technologies, in particular, provide a cyber-physical framework that links physical infrastructure with digital intelligence. Such a framework typically involves four core layers: sensory data acquisition through distributed devices, seamless network integration, cloud-based storage and computing, and intelligent system management for optimized operations. To demonstrate its practical relevance, the paper highlights a case study on noise mapping, where IoT sensors collect environmental data to enhance urban service delivery and inform evidence-based policy measures 3. This example illustrates the transformative capability of IoT in addressing pressing urban issues and ensuring more adaptive service provision. However, with the number of connected devices projected to exceed 50 billion globally, the rise of IoT-powered smart cities introduces not only opportunities but also critical challenges. Key concerns include data privacy, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, system interoperability, and the sustainability of large-scale deployments 9, 10. The paper reviews contemporary trends, underlying motivations, and emerging IoT technologies within the context of smart cities, while also analyzing their practical applications across domains such as transportation, energy, environment, and public safety. Emphasis is placed on developing resilient, secure, and sustainable IoT solutions that can balance rapid urbanization with long-term global development goals 6, 12.
Mehrotra et al. (Fri,) studied this question.