An Intuitionistic Fuzzy Approach for Smart City Development Evaluation for Developing Countries: Moroccan Context

Mohamed Hanine, Omar Boutkhoum, Fatima El Barakaz, Mohamed Lachgar, Noureddine Assad, Furqan Rustam and Imran Ashraf
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Mohamed Hanine: Department of Telecommunications, Networks, and Informatics, LTI Laboratory, ENSA, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Omar Boutkhoum: Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Fatima El Barakaz: Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Mohamed Lachgar: Department of Telecommunications, Networks, and Informatics, LTI Laboratory, ENSA, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Noureddine Assad: Department of Telecommunications, Networks, and Informatics, LTI Laboratory, ENSA, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Furqan Rustam: Department of Computer Science, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab 64200, Pakistan
Imran Ashraf: Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Korea

Mathematics, 2021, vol. 9, issue 21, 1-22

Abstract: Rapid urbanization to meet the needs of the growing population has led to several challenges such as pollution, increased and congested traffic, poor sustainability, and impact on the ecological environment. The conception of smart cities comprising intelligent convergence systems has been regarded as a potential solution to overcome these problems. Based on the information, communications, and technology (ICT), the idea of a smart city has emerged to decrease the impact of rapid urbanization. In this context, important efforts have been made for making cities smarter and more sustainable. However, the challenges associated with the implementation and evaluation of smart cities in developing countries are not examined appropriately, particularly in the Moroccan context. To analyze the efficacy and success of such efforts, the evaluation and comparisons using common frameworks are significantly important. For this purpose, the present research aims to investigate and evaluate the most influential dimensions and criteria for smart city development (SCD) in the Moroccan context. To reach this goal, this study proposes a new integrated Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model based on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (IF-AHP) and Intuitionistic Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (IF-DEMATEL). In the given context, the IF-AHP is employed to analyze the structure of the problem and calculate the weights of the qualitative and quantitative dimensions/criteria by incorporating the uncertainty values provided by the experts. Later, IF-DEMATEL is used to construct the structural correlation of dimensions/criteria in MCDM. The use of intuitionistic fuzzy set theory helps in dealing with the linguistic imprecision and the ambiguity of experts’ judgment. Results reveal that ‘Smart Living and Governance’ and ‘Smart Economy’ are major dimensions impacting the SCD in the Moroccan context. The proposed model focuses on enhancing the understanding of different dimensions/criteria and situations in smart cities compared to traditional cities and elevates their decision-making capability. Moreover, the results are discussed, as are the managerial implications, conclusions, limitations, and potential opportunities.

Keywords: smart city development; multicriteria decision making; intuitionistic fuzzy set; analytical hierarchy process; DEMATEL (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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