Associated Information and Communication Technologies Challenges of Smart City Development

Mohammed Balfaqih () and Soltan Abed Alharbi ()
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Mohammed Balfaqih: Department of Computer and Network Engineering, College of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23890, Saudi Arabia
Soltan Abed Alharbi: Department of Computer and Network Engineering, College of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23890, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-27

Abstract: Smart cities development relies on information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve all urban aspects, including governance, economy, mobility, and environment. The development is usually associated with several challenges and negative effects. This study relies on revealing ICTs challenges by firstly conducting a comprehensive literature review to identify the challenges that are most associated with ICTs. Then, a questionnaire survey was distributed among the Saudi population to study their expectations, perceptions, and concerns on the smart city concept and services. The questionnaire also investigated ICTs challenges identified from the literature review, including information security risks, privacy violation, incompatibility, and digital skill gaps. Consequently, semi-structured interviews were conducted to perceive the reasons for the incompatibility between different systems and digital skill gaps between the public. The findings show that the most likely challenges are information security risks and privacy violations, which are due to the increase in vulnerability, potential attacks, and lack of public awareness regarding personal data protection. The incompatibility between different systems and services in smart cities arouses worries among the public due to the expected high cost and difficulty of adaptation and utilization. Moreover, digital skill gaps arises between members of the population that have a low education level or are elderly persons.

Keywords: smart city; ICT challenges; information insecurity; privacy; compatibility; technology skills (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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