Constructing smarter and more sustainable urban ecosystems: a dynamic analysis of challenges and initiatives

Maria I. R. P. R. Rodrigues (), Fernando A. F. Ferreira () and Neuza C. M. Q. F. Ferreira ()
Additional contact information
Maria I. R. P. R. Rodrigues: University Institute of Lisbon
Fernando A. F. Ferreira: University Institute of Lisbon
Neuza C. M. Q. F. Ferreira: University of Beira Interior

Annals of Operations Research, 2025, vol. 347, issue 1, No 7, 171 pages

Abstract: Abstract Cities’ weaknesses have been revealed by their struggle to respond to current challenges (e.g., pandemic crises and population and urbanization exponential growth). Urban planners are thus increasingly concerned about implementing initiatives in their metropolises that favor a better present and future quality of life. In this context, cities need to become enablers of economic and social development and increased prosperity through the integration of technologies into projects promoting smarter and more sustainable urban ecosystems. These ecosystems are, however, highly complex due to their specificities and multifaceted nature, which makes analyzing them a difficult endeavor. Based on a constructivist and complementarity logic, this study sought to develop a multicriteria analysis model to support relevant decision-making processes in this study context. A panel of experts was recruited to create the analysis system using a combination of cognitive mapping and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory technique in an neutrosophic context. This approach overcomes various flaws identified in previous related research. The entire procedure focused on enhancing the experts’ learning through participation not only to structure the problem under analysis but also to identify and prioritize the factors and/or determinants of smartness and urban sustainability. The model provides a holistic, solid, and clear vision of the decision problem that fosters appropriate choices when creating and evaluating smart, sustainable urban ecosystems.

Keywords: Cognitive mapping; Decision support; Decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL); Neutrosophic logic; Sustainability; Urban ecosystem; Smart city (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10479-023-05406-2 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:annopr:v:347:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10479-023-05406-2

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/journal/10479

DOI: 10.1007/s10479-023-05406-2

Access Statistics for this article

Annals of Operations Research is currently edited by Endre Boros

More articles in Annals of Operations Research from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().