Introduction

In the 21st century, urban environments face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Rapid technological advancements, coupled with the increasing pressures of climate change, population growth, and the need for sustainable development, spurred the emergence of a new urban paradigm – the smart city. Smart cities, powered by technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data, are reshaping how cities operate, interact with citizens, and address complex urban challenges (Harrison et al., 2010; Kitchin, 2014). These cities promise increased efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and improved quality of life, creating a new model for sustainable urban development in the digital age (Caragliu et al., 2011). However, while smart cities hold great potential, they also raise critical questions about privacy, inequality, and governance that must be addressed for these innovations to truly benefit all urban residents.