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IoT-Enabled Applications for Smart Cities

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Internet of Things".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 1030

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Computer Science, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
Interests: IoT; network security and privacy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Computer Science, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
Interests: Internet of Things; cyber-physical systems; wireless networks; embedded systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid urbanization of modern cities has led to increasing demands for efficient infrastructure, sustainable resource management, and enhanced quality of life. Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled applications are playing a pivotal role in transforming urban centers into smart cities by integrating connected devices, real-time data analytics, and intelligent automation. IoT technology enables seamless communication between sensors, networks, and cloud platforms, allowing cities to optimize transportation, energy consumption, waste management, and public safety.

In smart cities, IoT applications facilitate real-time monitoring of traffic flow, air quality, and energy usage, helping authorities make data-driven decisions. For instance, smart grids improve electricity distribution, while intelligent transportation systems reduce congestion through adaptive traffic signals and connected vehicles. Additionally, IoT-driven smart waste management ensures efficient collection routes, minimizing operational costs and environmental impact.

However, challenges such as data security, interoperability, and scalability must be addressed to ensure robust and sustainable IoT deployments. Edge computing and AI-driven analytics further enhance IoT systems by enabling faster processing and predictive maintenance. As cities continue to evolve, IoT-enabled solutions will be critical in fostering sustainable urbanization, improving citizen engagement, and creating resilient, future-ready urban ecosystems.

Prof. Dr. Ye Zhu
Dr. Zicheng Chi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • smart infrastructure
  • edge computing
  • sustainable urbanization
  • IoT
  • urban sensing
  • data security and privacy

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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30 pages, 5077 KB  
Systematic Review
Ontology-Driven and Human-Centric Digital Twins in Hospitality: A Survey and Research Agenda
by Desiree Manzano-Farray, Moises Segura-Cedres, Carmen Lidia Aguiar-Castillo, Victor Guerra-Yanez and Rafael Perez-Jimenez
Sensors 2026, 26(9), 2764; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26092764 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 657
Abstract
Digital Twins (DTs) are increasingly explored in tourism and hospitality as enabling technologies for smart destinations, service optimization, and data-driven decision-making. Yet these environments are inherently human-centered. Existing DT implementations, however, are largely technology-driven and focus mostly on infrastructures and operational processes. This [...] Read more.
Digital Twins (DTs) are increasingly explored in tourism and hospitality as enabling technologies for smart destinations, service optimization, and data-driven decision-making. Yet these environments are inherently human-centered. Existing DT implementations, however, are largely technology-driven and focus mostly on infrastructures and operational processes. This study presents a systematic literature review of DT applications in tourism and hospitality. It combines a comparative taxonomy with a technological and data-oriented analysis to examine how these systems are currently conceptualized, implemented, and integrated. The review analyzes 42 studies, classifying them by application level, twin focus, architectural approach, and human integration. The results show a strong dominance of destination- and facility-level DTs, limited human-centered models, and a prevalent use of varied sensing technologies. There is limited attention to interoperability and semantic integration. Governance, socio-technical aspects, and real-time synchronization mechanisms are also mostly underexplored. Based on these findings, this study identifies key research gaps and calls for a shift towards Social Digital Twins (SDTs). SDTs integrate human actors, social interactions, and governance within unified modelling frameworks. This transition will require advances in semantic and ontology-driven architectures. Greater attention to privacy, trust, and user acceptance in data-intensive service environments is also needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue IoT-Enabled Applications for Smart Cities)
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