Can smart cities really deliver urban sustainability? Governance networks, sensor-based big data applications, and the citizen-driven internet of things

Abstract

Empirical research provides mixed results regarding whether smart cities really deliver urban sustainability. Using and replicating data from Black & Veatch, ESI ThoughtLab, Grand View Research, PwC, and Statista, I performed analyses and made estimates regarding the most effective financing model for smart city initiatives (%), the global smart city market (US$ bn, 2018–2025), Internet of Things connected devices installed base worldwide (2015–2025, in billions), installed base of connected things within smart cities (2015–2020, in billions), and installed base of connected things within the public service sector of smart cities (2015–2020, in millions). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.