Evaluation of the Smart City and Analysis of Its Spatial–Temporal Characteristics in China: A Case Study of 26 Cities in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration

Tiantian Gu (), Shuyu Liu, Xuefan Liu, Yujia Shan, Enyang Hao and Miaomiao Niu
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Tiantian Gu: School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Shuyu Liu: School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Xuefan Liu: School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Yujia Shan: School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Enyang Hao: School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Miaomiao Niu: School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-23

Abstract: The smart city is recognized as a potent instrument for creating efficient urban environments and improving the quality of life of urban residents. However, there is an absence of research establishing a comprehensive evaluation model for the smart cities (SCs) and focusing on their spatiotemporal analysis. Thus, a comprehensive evaluation framework was developed and applied to 26 cities in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA) in China from 2017 to 2020 to assess the smart city level (SCL) in China and analyze these cities’ spatial–temporal characteristics. The results indicated the following: (1) The overall SCL in the YRDUA has exhibited sustainable improvement, and the gap between cities is gradually narrowing. (2) The SCL of the YRDUA exhibits a higher SCL in the east and a lower SCL in the west of the YRDUA. The global spatial correlation of the SCL was random. Nantong, Hefei, Jiaxing, Zhoushan, Chizhou, Tongling, and Wuhu showed significant local spatial correlation. (3) The comprehensive evaluation framework is applicable for analyzing the SCs in China, and this framework can also be extended to other countries. Pertinent recommendations are put forth to enhance the SCL through the formulation of policies and fostering intercity collaboration. This research not only enriches the theoretical research on smart city evaluation but also clarifies the spatial–temporal characteristics of the SCs in China, thereby providing valuable insights that can foster sustainable smart city development.

Keywords: smart city; Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration; evaluation model; spatial–temporal characteristic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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