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Sustainable Local Development: AI and Digital Innovations in Urban Smart Cities

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Urban and Rural Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2026) | Viewed by 1844

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Mechatronics and Robotics, University of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
Interests: computers and information technology; robotics; computer vision; artificial intelligence

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechatronics and Robotics, University of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
Interests: computers and information technology; robotics; computer vision; artificial intelligence

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovations in urban environments, focusing on enhancing sustainability in smart cities. By bridging the gap between current urban development practices and cutting-edge technology, this issue seeks to advance research in sustainable urban planning and smart city solutions.

This issue focuses on practical applications of and theoretical advancements in AI and digital tools in smart city frameworks. It encompasses case studies, empirical research, and theoretical models that demonstrate how digital technologies can foster environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially equitable urban environments. To provide a platform for interdisciplinary dialog and innovation that drives local and global sustainable development goals, this issue will build on existing research by offering novel insights into how technology can be harnessed to address urban sustainability challenges. It aims to fill the gaps in the current literature, particularly in the implementation of AI and digital strategies in real-world scenarios.

This Special Issue will highlight innovative approaches that leverage technology for sustainable urban development, offering solutions that reduce environmental impact, promote economic growth, and enhance social well-being. By showcasing successful models and forward-thinking research, it contributes to shaping sustainable urban landscapes in the future.

Dr. Dorian Cojocaru
Dr. Liviu Florin Manta
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable digital infrastructures
  • digital transformation of businesses
  • digitalization of public services
  • digital transformations for local authorities
  • socially and environmentally sustainable cities
  • smarter cities
  • people-oriented cities
  • robotization
  • smart city strategies

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 324 KB  
Article
Smart Culture in a Smart City and Its Manifestations in the Public Spaces of Vilnius
by Eugenijus Krikščiūnas and Jaroslav Dvorak
Sustainability 2026, 18(8), 3925; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18083925 - 15 Apr 2026
Viewed by 576
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to conceptualize smart culture as an important yet under-researched dimension of smart cities, and to empirically demonstrate the extent to which cultural events in Vilnius’ public spaces align with the key principles of smart culture. The theoretical [...] Read more.
The aim of this paper is to conceptualize smart culture as an important yet under-researched dimension of smart cities, and to empirically demonstrate the extent to which cultural events in Vilnius’ public spaces align with the key principles of smart culture. The theoretical section of the article provides a definition of smart culture in a smart city, based on which four categories of analysis are identified: accessibility, the integration of technology into the cultural experience, engagement of the population, and promotion of community building. The methodology consists of an instrumental case study, analysis of secondary sources, and directed content analysis. The research findings reveal that Culture Night festival events in Vilnius not only reduce social and geographical barriers to culture but also create spaces for active participation of the population, fostering community and the application of technological solutions in cultural activities. Culture Night represents a clear example of smart culture, highlighting the importance of this dimension in smart city policies. The study shows that the identified characteristics of smart culture may support inclusive and sustainable urban development trends associated with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Full article
25 pages, 502 KB  
Article
Digitalising Social Value for Sustainable Urban Regeneration: Governance, Co-Production Gaps and Delivery Burdens in London
by Maria Christina Georgiadou and Jade Rochelle Julien
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3303; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073303 - 28 Mar 2026
Viewed by 496
Abstract
This paper investigates how social value is operationalised in urban regeneration and how digital reporting platforms shape the measurement and governance of social sustainability. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with UK social value professionals and a resident survey conducted within the Elephant and Castle [...] Read more.
This paper investigates how social value is operationalised in urban regeneration and how digital reporting platforms shape the measurement and governance of social sustainability. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with UK social value professionals and a resident survey conducted within the Elephant and Castle regeneration programme in London, the study examines how platform-based systems translate procurement commitments into auditable performance categories. These systems embed predefined classification schemas, proxy valuation metrics and rule-based validation procedures that structure how outcomes become visible and comparable across projects. The findings indicate that digital reporting platforms enhance oversight and inter-project benchmarking but prioritise outcomes that align with measurable procurement indicators. Employment generation, apprenticeships and local procurement expenditure dominate reported performance, while relational and place-based outcomes, such as trust, belonging and neighbourhood continuity, remain marginal. Reporting requirements generate substantial evidencing burdens across supply chains, may introduce data distortions through proxy-based and threshold-led reporting, and can concentrate engagement at early project stages, limiting sustained community influence and creating technical barriers to participation. The analysis highlights how digital reporting platforms can operate as governance infrastructures within smart city environments, shaping what is prioritised, funded and recognised as credible impact. The findings provide practical insights for the design of more inclusive and proportionate digital accountability systems for sustainable local development. Full article
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