Sustainable Development and Artificial Intelligence in Smart Cities

Dear Colleagues, 

The intense urban expansion witnessed in 21st century has made the demand for advanced and effective solutions for sustainable urban development even stronger. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a powerful technology for solving intricate urban problems of resource utilization, mobility management, environmental surveillance, and public service provision. Methods such as smart cities, AI-based real-time data processing, predictive analysis and adaptive governance can play an important role in improving urban sustainability. This Topic is a good opportunity to closely examine what happens when sustainability meets artificial intelligence in the smart city. Theoretical, methodological and empirical contributions focusing on the implications of AI technologies such as machine learning, big data analytics, digital twins, and intelligent transportation systems on the advancement of more efficient, resilient, and inclusive cities are invited. Emphasis will be on studies about Artificial Intelligence and sustainable mobility, energy management and environmental surveillance. We are looking at planning and governance that puts citizens first. This area welcomes articles from fields like urban studies, economics, data science, environmental sciences and public policy. We especially welcome articles that use advanced numbers techniques, combined indicators and detailed sustainability checks. By combining technological innovation with sustainability imperatives, this Topic intends to contribute to a better understanding of AI-enabled transition in smart and sustainable cities.

The Topic welcomes interdisciplinary contributions from fields such as urban studies, economics, data science, environmental sciences, and public policy. Papers employing advanced quantitative methods, composite indicators, and multidimensional sustainability assessments are especially encouraged. By integrating technological innovation with sustainability goals, this Topic seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of how AI can support the transition toward smarter and more sustainable cities.

Dr. Enrico Ivaldi
Dr. Tiziano Pavanini
Prof. Dr. Claudia Burlando
Topic Editors