Work

Why do cities go smart? Investigating the determinants of local engagement with smart cities technologies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The study develops and tests a theoretical framework for the determinants of local engagement with smart cities technologies (SCT). It asserts that the challenges that smart cities solve cannot be fixed by one government alone. In the U.S., all local governments are nested within states that are part of the U.S. federation, which collaboratively address subnational challenges. Using data from ICMA's 2016 Smart Cities Survey, the U.S. Census Bureau, and OLS regressions, the study reveals that horizontal collaborations with the public sector, the private sector, and peers for funding and procurement as well as larger local governments that contribute to cultural diversity and innovation, influence local engagement with SCT. The article identifies policy and managerial implications and offers recommendations for effective public management.

Source: Cities

DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2025.106036

Authors: Julius A. Nukpezah, Jubilee T. Apalowo, Sawsan Abutabenjeh

Institutions: Mississippi State University, United Arab Emirates University

Language: English

Topic: Smart Cities and Technologies

Subfield: Media Technology

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000