Article

Smart Cities as a Pathway to Sustainable Urbanism in the Arab

World: A Case Analysis of Saudi Cities
Ali M. Alqahtany

Department of Urban and Regional Planning, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin
Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia; amalqahtany@iau.edu.sa

Abstract: Rapid urbanization in Saudi Arabia, fueled by economic growth and popula-
tion expansion, has created substantial challenges for urban planning, infrastructure, and
environmental sustainability. In response, smart cities have emerged as a transformative
solution, integrating technological innovation with sustainable urban development. While
the concept of smart cities has gained global traction, its practical application in Saudi Ara-
bia remains in its early stages. This study investigates the potential of smart cities to tackle
Saudi Arabia’s urban challenges, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030. Employing
a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a theoretical analysis of global smart
city frameworks with applied research, including field observations and policy analysis of
Saudi initiatives. It explores the dynamic relationship between technology, governance, and
sustainability, providing a comparative perspective that benchmarks Saudi efforts against
international best practices. A central contribution of the study is the development of a
multi-dimensional framework designed to advance sustainable smart cities in Saudi Arabia.
This framework highlights key pillars such as data-driven governance, environmental
resilience, social inclusivity, and economic innovation. By contributing to the broader
discourse on sustainable urban development, this research positions Saudi Arabia as a
potential regional leader in smart city implementation. Ultimately, the study highlights the
transformative potential of smart cities to address global urbanization challenges, fostering
resilient, equitable, and sustainable urban environments for future generations.

Keywords: smart cities; sustainability; urban development; Saudi Vision 2030; innovation;
Academic Editors: Dimitrios Tsiotas Arab region
and Serafeim Polyzos

Received: 13 January 2025

Revised: 9 February 2025
Accepted: 11 February 2025 1. Introduction
Published: 12 February 2025
Over the past five decades, the Arab world has undergone a profound transformation
Citation: Alqahtany, A.M. Smart
characterized by an extraordinary and rapid increase in urban populations. This shift has
Cities as a Pathway to Sustainable
not only reshaped the demographic landscape but also introduced a host of new challenges
Urbanism in the Arab World: A Case
Analysis of Saudi Cities. Sustainability and opportunities for cities across the region. The rise in urbanization in many Arab
2025, 17, 1525. https://doi.org/ countries is a reflection of broader global trends, yet its pace and scale in certain nations
10.3390/su17041525 have been particularly remarkable. The United Nations’ 2014 report, World Urbanization
Copyright: © 2025 by the author. Prospects, highlights that some Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. experienced urbanization rates that outpace those of even larger and more populous
This article is an open access article countries such as Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. The urbanization trends in these Gulf countries,
distributed under the terms and driven by factors such as economic development, industrialization, and migration patterns,
conditions of the Creative Commons
have led to significant shifts in their social and economic structures. As urban populations
Attribution (CC BY) license
continue to grow rapidly, the demand for infrastructure, housing, services, and employment
(https://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by/4.0/). has intensified, placing considerable pressure on governments and planners to meet these

Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041525

 Sustainability 2025, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 16

Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 2 of 16

populations continue to grow rapidly, the demand for infrastructure, housing, services,
and employment has intensified, placing considerable pressure on governments and plan-
ners to meet
evolving needsthese evolving
[1–3]. needs
The data [1–3]. The
presented data presented
in Figure instriking
1 reveal a Figure 1growth
reveal ainstriking
urban
growth in urban populations in certain Arab countries, showing the dramatic
populations in certain Arab countries, showing the dramatic rise in urbanization riselevels
in ur-
banization
from 1950 tolevels from 1950 to the present.
the present.

Figure 1. Predicted urban population growth in Arab countries [2].

Figure 1. Predicted urban population growth in Arab countries [2].
This trend is not just a product of historical shifts but reflects an ongoing process, with
This trend
projections is notthat
indicating justthea product of historical
urban population shiftsArab
in many but reflects
nations anwillongoing
continueprocess,
to rise
with
at projections pace
an accelerated indicating that2050.
well into the urban population
As urban in manycities
areas expand, Arabface
nations
newwilldemandscontinuein
to riseofatresource
terms an accelerated
management,pace well into 2050. As
environmental urban areasinfrastructure
sustainability, expand, citiesdevelopment,
face new de-
mands
and in termsservices
providing of resourcesuch management,
as healthcare, environmental
education, and sustainability, infrastructure
transportation. The rapid de-
velopment, and
urbanization providing
taking place inservices
the Arab such as healthcare,
world emphasizes education,
the urgent and transportation.
need for careful and The
rapid urbanization
strategic planning totaking address place
the in the Arab
complex world emphasizes
challenges that accompany the urgent
such need
growth. for Urban
careful
and strategicmust
development planning to addresswith
be approached the foresight
complex and challenges
innovation,that considering
accompanythe such growth.
long-term
Urban development
impacts on the environment, must be approached
social structures, with
andforesight
quality ofand lifeinnovation,
for residents. considering
This growing the
long-term impacts
urbanization on the environment,
also underscores the importance socialofstructures,
adopting new and urban
quality of life for
planning residents.
approaches
This growing urbanization
incorporating also underscores
modern technologies, the importance
sustainability initiatives, of adopting
and smartnew urban plan-
infrastructure.
ning approaches
Addressing these incorporating
challenges willmodern be criticaltechnologies,
to ensuring sustainability
that cities ininitiatives,
the Arab world and smart
can
infrastructure.
sustain their growth Addressing these challenges
while enhancing will be of
the well-being critical to ensuring and
their populations that adapting
cities in theto
future needs.can sustain their growth while enhancing the well-being of their populations
Arab world
and In recent years,
adapting to futuretheneeds.
concept of smart cities has gained significant attention in both
academic research
In recent years,andthe
international
concept of smart policycities
discussions.
has gained Thissignificant
growing interest
attention is largely
in both
due to the potential
academic research and role international
smart cities can playdiscussions.
policy in promoting sustainability,
This enhancing
growing interest the
is largely
quality
due to ofthelife, improving
potential the efficiency
role smart cities can of play
urban inservices
promoting andsustainability,
management, enhancing
and boosting the
competitiveness, all while addressing
quality of life, improving the efficiency theofneeds
urbanofservices
both present and future generations
and management, and boosting in
environmental,
competitiveness, social, and economic
all while addressing terms
the [4].
needsForofexample,
both presentKrinichansky
and future[5]generations
suggests that in
the widespread implementation
environmental, social, and economic of smart solutions
terms [4]. For in example,
urban areas could lead to
Krinichansky [5]a suggests
10–30%
improvement
that the widespreadin certain quality-of-life of
implementation indicators.
smart solutions in urban areas could lead to a 10–
30%Despite
improvementthe considerable potential and indicators.
in certain quality-of-life ambition of many Arab nations to adopt the
smartDespite
city model and integratepotential
the considerable it with the andgoal of urban
ambition sustainability,
of many several
Arab nations to obstacles
adopt the
and challenges
smart city model remain. These include
and integrate it withsignificant
the goalknowledge gaps related to
of urban sustainability, environmental
several obstacles
concerns (such as
and challenges the risk
remain. of environmental
These include significantdamage), social issues
knowledge (such astothe
gaps related lack of co-
environmen-
herent management
tal concerns (such as planning),
the risk of and economic challenges
environmental damage), (including insufficient
social issues (such asinvestment
the lack of
priorities), all of which hinder
coherent management planning),the effective
and economic implementation
challengesof smart cityinsufficient
(including concepts ininvest-most
Arab
mentcountries.
priorities),In allSaudi
of whichArabia,
hinderthethe concept
effective of implementation
smart cities is still undercity
of smart development
concepts in
and study. There is a need for a strategic framework for shifting to smart cities that can
Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 3 of 16

be applied to various cities of the Kingdom as a test case to observe its effectiveness and
productivity [6].

2. Global Literature Review

The concept of a smart city lies at the intersection of technological innovation and
sustainable urban planning. However, confining the idea of a smart city to just these
areas provides a limited perspective and can result in a weak concept. A smart city must
encompass more than just technology and urban planning, incorporating factors such
as economic, social, and ecological development, as well as political frameworks [7]. A
“smart city” goes beyond simply implementing technologies and strategies to meet current
needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It involves
understanding the city’s identity, goals, stakeholders, and priorities. Therefore, its definition
is rooted in relevance and distinctiveness, with an emphasis on improving quality of life
and fostering sustainability through technology and communication [8]. The overarching
aim of smart cities is to enhance sustainability through technological means. As a result, it
is recommended to use the term “smart sustainable cities” instead of just “smart cities”.
However, the existing gap between smart cities and sustainable cities highlights the need
to redefine the smart city concept and further refine smart city frameworks [9].
Since the 1990s, when the concept of smart cities emerged [10], numerous researchers
have sought to develop a clear and comprehensive definition of smart cities, highlighting
the core elements and key aspects of the concept. For example, Hall [11] argues that a city
can be considered smart if it improves connectivity and information flow across essential
infrastructures, can fully monitor and control the conditions of critical infrastructure (such
as water, power, communications, roads, railways, seaports, and airports), and optimizes
resources while enhancing services for its citizens. Washburn et al. [12] define a smart city
as the application of smart computing technologies to make the key infrastructure compo-
nents and services of a city—such as administration, education, healthcare, public safety,
real estate, transportation, and utilities—more intelligent, interconnected, and efficient.
Harrison et al. [13] describe a smart city as one that connects physical infrastructure, IT
infrastructure, social infrastructure, and business infrastructure to harness the collective
intelligence of the city.
Nam and Pardo [14] highlight that smart cities integrate information into their physical
infrastructure to enhance convenience, improve mobility, increase efficiency, conserve
energy, improve air and water quality, quickly identify and resolve issues, recover swiftly
from disasters, gather data for better decision-making, deploy resources effectively, and
facilitate collaboration by sharing data across various entities and sectors. Furthermore,
smart city initiatives aim to enhance urban performance by utilizing data, information,
and information technology (IT) to deliver more efficient services to citizens, monitor and
optimize existing infrastructure, foster collaboration among different economic actors, and
promote innovative business models in both the private and public sectors [15]. However,
a universally accepted definition of a smart city remains elusive, and it is challenging to
identify common global trends regarding the smart city phenomenon [5].
Albino et al. [16] discussed the concept of smart cities by describing them as “large
organic systems”, emphasizing that the integrated nature of systems and the interconnec-
tions among a city’s core components define what makes a city “smart”. A smarter city
incorporates information into its physical infrastructure to enhance convenience, improve
mobility, boost efficiency, conserve energy, improve air and water quality, identify and
quickly resolve problems, recover rapidly from disasters, gather data for better decision-
making, deploy resources effectively, and share data to foster collaboration across various
sectors. These aspects reflect key themes that highlight the link between smart cities and
Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 4 of 16

sustainability. Yao et al. [17] evaluated the eco-efficiency of 152 cities at the prefecture level
in China between 2003 and 2016 to explore the impact of smart cities on eco-efficiency. They
found that smart cities significantly improve eco-efficiency. Additionally, they discovered
that the lower a city’s level of economic development, the more significant the impact
of smart cities on promoting eco-efficiency. This has practical implications for reforming
urban governance models and achieving sustainable urban development.
The diverse range of smart city definitions presents challenges in aligning them with
the concept of sustainability [9]. However, the key distinction between smart cities and
sustainability lies in their focus areas; while smart cities prioritize education, culture,
science, innovation, and ICT, urban sustainability emphasizes environmental aspects like
the natural and built environment, water management, and more [9]. Smart cities utilize
complexity sciences to optimize strategies and simulation models that help design urban
structures and systems that enhance sustainability. The analysis of big data across various
urban sectors and its integration plays a crucial role in advancing urban development
and improving sustainability decision-making. This approach enables the monitoring and
collection of data on subsystems, covering operations, functions, strategies, designs, and
practices. It also facilitates the creation of innovation hubs, where smart functions are
developed using data science, computer science, and complexity science, which contribute
to creating advanced simulation models, optimization techniques, and various modeling
methods to support the planning and management of smart sustainable cities [18].
Estevez et al. [19], through their examination of 119 smart city initiatives, recommen-
dations from 51 think tanks, and 876 scholarly publications, concluded that smart cities
contribute to sustainable development. Similarly, Ahvenniemi et al. [9] analyzed 16 city
assessment frameworks (eight for smart cities and eight for urban sustainability), which
included 958 indicators categorized into three impact areas and 12 sectors. Their findings
revealed a shift in the 21st century from focusing on the criteria for measuring sustain-
ability to emphasizing the goals of smart cities. Ahvenniemi et al. [9] highlighted two
key observations from their analysis, namely that (1) smart city frameworks place much
greater emphasis on new technologies and “smartness” compared to urban sustainability
frameworks and (2) while urban sustainability frameworks include numerous indicators
related to environmental sustainability, smart city frameworks focus more on social and
economic aspects and lack environmental indicators. These findings confirm the connection
between smart cities as a means to achieve sustainability as a goal.
As previously mentioned, there is no global consensus on a single definition or frame-
work for the concept of a smart city. Smart city frameworks encompass a range of overlap-
ping and non-overlapping themes, highlighting the absence of a universal framework or
agreement on the essential dimensions of smart cities [20]. However, several key indicators
are commonly found in the proposed frameworks. For example, most smart city models
focus on four main attributes, which are sustainability, quality of life, urbanization, and
smartness. Each of these attributes includes several sub-attributes. For instance, sustain-
ability covers areas such as infrastructure and governance, pollution and waste, energy
and climate change, social issues, economics, and health. Quality of life is linked to the
emotional and financial well-being of urban citizens. Urbanization addresses the techno-
logical, economic, infrastructure, and governance aspects involved in the transition from
rural to urban environments. Lastly, smartness refers to efforts aimed at improving the
social, environmental, and economic conditions of the city and its residents [21].
Based on an extensive review of the scientific literature in the field of smart cities, it is
widely believed that the concept of a smart city enhances urban planning, development,
management, and service delivery. The smart city framework heavily relies on information
and communication technologies (ICTs), the Internet, cloud computing, big data, spatial
Sustainability 2025, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 16

Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 5 of 16

management, and service delivery. The smart city framework heavily relies on infor-
mation and communication technologies (ICTs), the Internet, cloud computing, big data,
geographic information
spatial geographic integration,
information and otherand
integration, emerging technologies.
other emerging These factors,
technologies. Thesealong
fac-
with others, are typically grouped into six key dimensions, which have been explored
tors, along with others, are typically grouped into six key dimensions, which have been in
various
exploredstudies [22–33].
in various These
studies six dimensions
[22–33]. These six are (1) smartare
dimensions environments, (2) smart living,
(1) smart environments, (2)
(3) smart mobility, (4) smart people, (5) smart economies, and (6) smart governments.
smart living, (3) smart mobility, (4) smart people, (5) smart economies, and (6) smart gov- The
indicators
ernments. supporting these
The indicators dimensions
supporting aredimensions
these depicted in are
Figure 2.
depicted in Figure 2.

Figure 2.
Figure 2. The six core
The six core dimensions
dimensions of
of aa smart
smart city
city framework.
framework.

In today’s world, it is crucial to understand the development of new urbanism in the

Arab world and its connection to smart cities and sustainability concepts, as it sheds light
on the challenges in managing this new urban model, particularly particularly in in key
key Arab
Arab nations.
nations.
Recently,
Recently,several
severalArab Arabgovernments
governmentshave haveaimed
aimed totosupport
support national
national economic
economic strategies by
strategies
promoting
by promoting smart cities,
smart creating
cities, an environment
creating an environment conducive to information
conducive to informationand technology,
and tech-
and using
nology, and these
using asthese
tools asto tools
fostertosustainability. There isThere
foster sustainability. also aisstrong
also a belief
stronginbelief
the role of
in the
smart
role oftechnologies
smart technologiesin boosting economic
in boosting and administrative
economic and administrative efficiency, enhancing
efficiency, social
enhancing
and security
social standards,
and security and improving
standards, and improvingthe flowtheof investment
flow fundsfunds
of investment acrossacross
borders. borders.
The research
researchgaps gapsininSaudi
SaudiArabia’s
Arabia’ssmart
smart city initiatives
city initiatives include
include thetheneed
needfor for
localized
local-
studies on methodology
ized studies on methodology adoption and integration,
adoption and integration,especially in diverse
especially urbanurban
in diverse and rural
and
contexts. ThereThere
rural contexts. is a limited exploration
is a limited of the citizen
exploration engagement,
of the citizen social equity,
engagement, socialand cultural
equity, and
adaptation of smartoftechnologies.
cultural adaptation smart technologies.Additionally, studiesstudies
Additionally, on the long-term environmental
on the long-term environ-
and socioeconomic
mental impacts of
and socioeconomic large-scale
impacts projects like
of large-scale NEOMlike
projects are NEOM
scarce, as arescarce,
are frameworks
as are
for measuring
frameworks the
for success ofthe
measuring these initiatives
success against
of these globalagainst
initiatives benchmarks.global This article makes
benchmarks. This
two key
article contributions
makes to the existingtoliterature.
two key contributions the existing First, it presents
literature. First,a ittheoretical
presents aframework
theoretical
for analyzing
framework forthe relationship
analyzing the between
relationship newbetween
urbanism andurbanism
new smart cities andwithin
smartthe context
cities withinof
sustainability.
the context of Second, it seeksSecond,
sustainability. to provide insights
it seeks for policymakers
to provide insights for and stakeholdersand
policymakers on
the opportunities,
stakeholders on the challenges,
opportunities,and limitations
challenges,associated
and limitationswith the sustainable
associated withmanagement
the sustain-
of smart
able cities in the
management Arab world,
of smart cities inwith a particular
the Arab world, focus
with aon Saudi Arabia’s
particular focus on local
Saudicontext.
Ara-
The
bia’sarticle also aims
local context. Thetoarticle
propose alsoa aims
future tovision
proposeforasustainable
future vision cities in Saudi Arabia
for sustainable citiesby
in
drawing lessons from the experiences of developed nations. As
Saudi Arabia by drawing lessons from the experiences of developed nations. As the larg- the largest Arab country,
Saudi
est Arab Arabia
country,is making significant
Saudi Arabia strides
is making toward clean
significant stridestechnology
toward clean andtechnology
sustainability and
and is actively pursuing the implementation of smart city technologies
sustainability and is actively pursuing the implementation of smart city technologies to to improve urban
planning and environmental
improve urban planning andstability through stability
environmental the effective use of
through theinformation
effective use technology
of infor-
and natural resources.
mation technology and natural resources.
The study begins with an introduction that explores the context of urbanization in
the Arab world, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s unique challenges and opportunities. It
 The study begins with an introduction that explores the context of urbanization in
Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 6 of 16
the Arab world, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s unique challenges and opportunities. It then
proceeds with a literature review that delves into the theoretical underpinnings of smart
cities, focusing on the relationship between technology, sustainability, and urban plan-
then proceeds with a literature review that delves into the theoretical underpinnings of
ning. Following
smart cities, focusingthis,
onthe
the paper discusses
relationship data technology,
between collection and analysis, explaining
sustainability, and urbanthe
methodologies
planning. Following employed,
this, theincluding theoretical,
paper discusses comparative,
data collection andand applied
analysis, approaches
explaining the to
evaluate smart city initiatives in Saudi Arabia. The study transitions
methodologies employed, including theoretical, comparative, and applied approaches to to a dedicated section
on Saudi
evaluate Arabia’s
smart smart cityininitiatives,
city initiatives providing
Saudi Arabia. an overview
The study transitions ofto
ongoing efforts
a dedicated such as
section
Vision 2030, technological investments, and strategic transformations.
on Saudi Arabia’s smart city initiatives, providing an overview of ongoing efforts such asNext, it addresses
the challenges
Vision facing smart
2030, technological city initiatives
investments, in Sauditransformations.
and strategic Arabia. The research Next,culminates
it addresses in a
the challenges facing smart city initiatives in Saudi Arabia. The research culminates in a
proposed framework for promoting sustainable smart cities in Saudi Arabia, outlining
multi-dimensional
a proposed framework strategy that aligns
for promoting with thesmart
sustainable nation’s
citiesgoals. Finally,
in Saudi the outlining
Arabia, paper con-
cludes by summarizing key insights and emphasizing the potential
a multi-dimensional strategy that aligns with the nation’s goals. Finally, the paper of smart cities as a
con-
transformative
cludes by summarizingurban model.
key insights and emphasizing the potential of smart cities as a
transformative urban model.
3. Materials and Methods
3. Materials andadopts
This study Methods
a mixed-methods approach, combining theoretical analysis and
applied research
This study to comprehensively
adopts a mixed-methods investigate
approach, thecombining
role of smart cities in promoting
theoretical analysis and sus-
tainable
applied urbanism
research in Saudi Arabia.investigate
to comprehensively The theoretical phase
the role involved
of smart aninin-depth
cities promoting review
sus-of
the literature,
tainable urbanism policy documents,
in Saudi Arabia. Theandtheoretical
global casephasestudies to establish
involved a conceptual
an in-depth review founda-
of the
tion.
literature, policy documents, and global case studies to establish a conceptual foundation.
TheThe data
data utilizedininthis
utilized thisstudy
study were
were sourced from from aavariety
varietyofofscientific
scientificplatforms
platforms and
andofficial governmental
official governmental websites,
websites,ensuring
ensuring itsits
reliability and
reliability andrelevance.
relevance. These
Thesesources pro-
sources
vided comprehensive
provided comprehensive and and authoritative information,
information, enabling
enablingaarobustrobustanalysis
analysisofof
thethe
challenges
challenges andand opportunities
opportunities associated
associated with
with urbanization
urbanization andand smart
smart citycity development
development in in
Saudi
Saudi Arabia.
Arabia. ByBy leveraging
leveraging credible
credible data,
data, thethe research
research maintains
maintains a strong
a strong foundation
foundation forfor
itsits findings
findings and
and recommendations,
recommendations, aligning
aligning withwiththethe goals
goals of of Vision
Vision 2030
2030 andand contributing
contributing
to to
thethe advancement
advancement of of sustainable
sustainable urban
urban development
development practices.
practices.
Using
Using anan inductive
inductive approach,
approach, thethe study
study analyzed
analyzed keykey components
components of of smart
smart city
city
frameworks,
frameworks, theiralignment
their alignmentwith withsustainability
sustainabilityobjectives,
objectives, and
and thethe challenges specific
specific to
to urban
urbanareas
areasininthetheArab
Arabworld.
world. Comparative
Comparative analysis
analysiswaswasemployed
employed to benchmark
to benchmark Saudi
Arabia’s
Saudi initiatives
Arabia’s initiatives against
against international
internationalbestbest practices, enabling the
practices, enabling theidentification
identificationof of
adaptable
adaptable strategies
strategies andand insights.
insights. The
The methodology
methodology followed
followed to to achieve
achieve thethe objectives
objectives is is
shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 3 below.
3 below.

Figure 3. Research methodology followed for the study.

Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 7 of 16

During the applied phase, a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and

quantitative techniques was employed to gather diverse data, including field observations
in key Saudi cities to assess the implementation of smart technologies and sustainability
practices alongside a document analysis of national strategies like Vision 2030 and the
National Transformation Program. The data were analyzed thematically and comparatively
to uncover patterns, relationships, and actionable insights, enabling a review of smart
cities from both global and local perspectives to identify challenges and distinctions. Based
on these findings, a tailored framework for sustainable smart cities in Saudi Arabia was
developed, focusing on governance, technology integration, environmental sustainability,
and social inclusion. This methodological approach not only highlights the potential of
smart cities to address urban challenges but also offers strategic guidance for policymakers
and stakeholders, ensuring the development of smarter, more inclusive, and sustainable
urban environments aligned with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals.

4. Smart Cities in Saudi Arabia: Data Assessment

Smart city strategies in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries are driven by
the region’s rapid urbanization, economic diversification goals, and the need to address
environmental challenges while enhancing the quality of life for residents. These strategies
are deeply aligned with national visions, such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the UAE’s
Vision 2021 and 2071, Qatar’s National Vision 2030, and similar frameworks in other GCC
nations [34]. Key elements of smart city strategies in the region include the integration of
advanced technologies, sustainable urban planning, and a strong focus on innovation and
digital transformation [35].
As discussed in the global overview of smart cities, Saudi Arabia has also experienced a
remarkable transformation, emerging as a rapidly developing and modern nation [36]. This
transformation is largely influenced by the involvement of global technological companies
that bring their expertise and cutting-edge innovations to reshape urban environments [37].
The country’s economic history, marked by the oil boom, has played a substantial role in the
rapid urbanization of Saudi cities, where the urban population grew from just 10% in 1950
to a striking 82% by 2015 [2,38,39]. This swift urban expansion has brought about numerous
challenges, including infrastructure overload, inefficient resource management, and a need
for sustainable urban planning [40]. To address these issues, Saudi Arabia has embraced
the concept of smart cities, recognizing the importance of technology-driven solutions to
improve the quality of life for its citizens. The concept of smart cities has emerged as an
innovative solution to the complex urban challenges the country faces, particularly those
driven by rapid urbanization and global advancements in technology.
The Saudi government has committed to supporting the smart city initiative by in-
vesting in innovative technologies, fostering public–private partnerships, and creating
an environment conducive to technological growth [41]. The country’s leadership has
recognized the potential of smart cities as a strategic tool to address pressing urban issues
while also positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in the technology and innovation
sector. In line with this vision, the government is working toward transforming the nation
from being oil-dependent to adopting smart, sustainable practices across all aspects of
development, including energy, transportation, healthcare, and education. By increasing
investments in science and technology, Saudi Arabia seeks to position itself as a competitive
force in the global market and ensure the sustainable growth of its cities [42].
As part of this ambitious vision, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs (MOMRA)
has outlined plans to develop 10 new smart cities across the country, in addition to establish-
ing new economic cities and special zones. These initiatives are aligned with Saudi Arabia’s
broader national goals outlined in Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program
Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 8 of 16

of 2020. These plans emphasize the importance of leveraging advanced technologies such
as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics to create more
efficient, sustainable, and livable urban spaces. The development of smart cities is seen as a
key step in realizing Saudi Arabia’s long-term aspirations to diversify its economy, reduce
its reliance on oil, and improve the overall quality of life for its citizens. As the country
progresses in this direction, it is expected to become a model for smart city development in
the region, attracting international investment and further advancing its global standing in
technology and innovation [37].
MOMRA has launched the “Implementation of Smart Cities Concepts” project, a
significant initiative aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Saudi cities and fostering
urban sustainability. This project focuses on improving the efficiency of city management,
raising the standard of living for residents, and creating a smarter, more responsive urban
environment. It also strives to increase citizen satisfaction, minimize negative environmen-
tal impacts, create new job opportunities, and attract both local and foreign investments [43].
This initiative aligns with the broader goals of Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the
economy and shift away from oil dependency by investing in advanced infrastructure,
technology, and sustainable urban development.
In 2015, MOMRA conducted an extensive study to evaluate the potential of 17 major
cities across Saudi Arabia for transitioning into smart cities, using global best practices as
benchmarks. The findings revealed a significant disparity in the readiness of these cities
to implement smart city technologies and infrastructure. Some cities were further along
in their digital transformation, while others faced challenges in terms of infrastructure,
governance, and citizen engagement. Despite these varying levels of readiness, the Saudi
government has committed to investing more than SAR 500 billion across 285 municipali-
ties to drive the development of smart cities [44]. This large-scale investment is intended
to improve the quality of life for citizens, making cities more livable, efficient, and sus-
tainable by integrating advanced technologies like the IoT, AI, and big data analytics into
urban management. These efforts also focus on engaging citizens in the development
process, ensuring that the future cities of Saudi Arabia reflect the needs and aspirations of
their residents.
As part of this ambitious transformation, Saudi Arabia’s smart city initiatives are
targeted in phases, with five key cities slated for transformation by 2020. The first two cities,
Riyadh and Makkah, were expected to complete their transformation by the end of 2018,
followed by Al-Madinah and Jeddah, with Al-Ahsa completing its transformation by
the end of 2020 [44]. These phased developments are intended to create model cities
that integrate sustainable practices, advanced technologies, and improved infrastructure,
which can then be replicated in other parts of the country. Each city was selected based
on its strategic importance, urban challenges, and capacity to serve as a blueprint for the
broader national vision. The transformations include implementing smart mobility systems,
enhancing energy efficiency, and leveraging data analytics to optimize urban services. By
focusing on these pioneering cities, Saudi Arabia aims to build a foundation for innovation,
economic growth, and sustainability that aligns with the objectives of Vision 2030.
Over the recent years, the concept of smart cities has garnered significant attention in
Saudi Arabia, particularly as the nation advances its ambitious Vision 2030 agenda, which
prioritizes innovation and technology as key drivers of economic and social transformation.
However, as highlighted by Aina [45], the successful implementation of smart cities in the
Kingdom extends far beyond the mere deployment of advanced technologies. The local
context—encompassing cultural, social, and economic dimensions—plays a pivotal role in
shaping the outcomes of these initiatives. While the development of robust information
and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure is undeniably essential to enable
Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 9 of 16

smart cities, it is not by itself sufficient to guarantee their success. Aina [45] emphasizes the
need for a more comprehensive and holistic approach, one that integrates technological
advancements with effective governance structures, active community participation, and
inclusive decision-making processes. This approach requires a balanced combination
of top-down strategies, driven by government policies and leadership, and bottom-up
engagement, where local communities are empowered to contribute meaningfully to the
planning and execution of smart city projects. By harmonizing these two perspectives,
Saudi Arabia can foster urban transformations that are not only technologically advanced
but also socially inclusive, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable.
Such an integrated strategy ensures that smart cities in the Kingdom are not merely
equipped with cutting-edge technologies but are also resilient, adaptable, and responsive
to the evolving needs of their diverse populations [6]. This dual focus on innovation and
inclusivity is critical to achieving the long-term goals of Vision 2030, enabling Saudi cities
to become global benchmarks for smart urban development while preserving their unique
cultural identity and addressing the specific challenges faced by their communities [46].
Ultimately, this approach underscores the importance of viewing smart cities as dynamic
ecosystems where technology, governance, and human-centric design converge to create
livable future-ready urban environments [47].
Saudi Arabia’s smart city strategy, applied in initiatives like NEOM and the Saudi
Vision 2030, emphasizes creating futuristic cities that integrate advanced technologies,
sustainability, and innovative urban design. NEOM, for instance, prioritizes renewable
energy, AI-driven infrastructure, and zero-carbon environments [48]. Unlike many global
smart city projects, which often retrofit existing urban areas with smart technologies, Saudi
Arabia builds entirely new cities to reimagine urban living from the ground up. Globally,
countries like Singapore, South Korea, and the EU focus on enhancing established urban
centers with smart grid systems, the IoT, and public service optimization. While the
global approach is often incremental and adaptive, Saudi Arabia’s strategy is bold and
transformative, aiming to position itself as a global leader in sustainable and technologically
advanced urban development.

5. Discussion
The concept of the smart city has emerged as a potential solution to address the
challenges caused by rapid population growth and urban expansion. However, this concept
is still evolving and has not been widely adopted worldwide due to various economic-,
technological-, and governance-related obstacles. The practical implementation of smart
cities presents its own set of challenges, whether during the initial stages of planning and
design, throughout the implementation process, or in the subsequent phases of operation,
monitoring, and maintenance.

5.1. Identification of Challenges Faced by Saudi Arabia

This section highlights the identified challenges associated with the realistic imple-
mentation of smart cities in Saudi Arabia. These challenges were shortlisted through an
extensive review of the literature and recent studies on smart cities, with a focus on the
specific context of Saudi Arabia. They are categorized into seven key areas, namely (1) eco-
nomic challenges; (2) social challenges; (3) environmental challenges; (4) urban challenges;
(5) technical challenges; (6) legislative challenges; and (7) political challenges.
These challenges, as shown in Figure 4, will be explored in the next sections, with
particular attention to their relevance within the local context of Saudi Arabia.
Sustainability 2025, 17, x FOR PEER REVIEW 10 of 16

Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 10 of 16

These challenges, as shown in Figure 4, will be explored in the next sections, with
particular attention to their relevance within the local context of Saudi Arabia.

Figure4.4.Identified
Figure Identifiedchallenges
challengesbeing
beingfaced
facedin
insmart
smartcity
cityinitiative
initiativein
inSaudi
SaudiArabia.
Arabia.

5.1.1.
5.1.1. Economic
Economic Challenges
Challengesof
ofSmart
SmartCities
Cities
Design
Design and and maintenance
maintenance expenses
expenses pose
pose significant
significant obstacles
obstacles to to the
the practical
practical imple-
imple-
mentation
mentationof ofsmart
smart cities.
cities. These
These costs
costs are
are divided
divided into
into design
design costs
costs and
and operational
operational costs.
Design
Designcosts
costsrefer
referto
tothe
the initial
initial financial
financial investment
investment required
requiredtoto establish
establishaa smart
smart city,
city,with
with
lower
lower design
design costs
costsincreasing
increasingthe thelikelihood
likelihoodofofsuccessful
successfulimplementation.
implementation. Operational
Operational
costs
costs arise
arise from
from the
the ongoing
ongoing operations
operations andand maintenance
maintenance of of the
the city.
city. There
There is
is aa strong
strong
demand
demand for for minimizing
minimizing these
these operational
operational costs
costs to
to ensure
ensure the
the sustainability
sustainability of
of services
services
without
withoutimposing
imposingextra
extrafinancial
financialstrain
strainon
onmunicipalities.
municipalities. However,
However,optimizing
optimizingcosts
costsover
over
the
theentire
entirelifespan
lifespanof ofaasmart
smartcity
citycontinues
continuesto
tobe
beaachallenging
challengingendeavor
endeavor[21].
[21].

5.1.2.
5.1.2. Social
Social Challenges
Challengesof ofSmart
SmartCities
Cities
Smart
Smart cities generate a vast amountof
cities generate a vast amount ofdata,
data,including
includinghighly
highlysensitive
sensitiveinformation
information
about
about society, which is susceptible to various security risks. As a result,protecting
society, which is susceptible to various security risks. As a result, protectingsocial
social
privacy is a critical aspect of any smart city framework. Citizens interact with
privacy is a critical aspect of any smart city framework. Citizens interact with essential essential
smart
smart city
city services
services using
using computers,
computers, smartphones,
smartphones, andand other
other smart
smart devices
devices [49].
[49]. Conse-
Conse-
quently, addressing privacy concerns and maintaining robust security measures
quently, addressing privacy concerns and maintaining robust security measures to protect to protect
citizen
citizendata
datahas
hasbecome
becomeboth
bothaacrucial
crucialand
andcomplex
complextask
task[49–51].
[49–51].
5.1.3. Environmental Challenges of Smart Cities
5.1.3. Environmental Challenges of Smart Cities
Protecting the city’s environment and resources for future generations by reducing
Protecting the city’s environment and resources for future generations by reducing
carbon emissions and utilizing resources efficiently is a major priority for contemporary
carbon emissions and utilizing resources efficiently is a major priority for contemporary
smart cities. As a result, these cities emphasize the use of renewable energy sources to
smart cities. As a result, these cities emphasize the use of renewable energy sources to
lower their carbon footprint while also ensuring the sustainability of urban operations and
lower their carbon footprint while also ensuring the sustainability of urban operations and
reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources [21].
reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources [21].
5.1.4. Urban Challenges of Smart Cities
5.1.4. Urban Challenges of Smart Cities
The large-scale migration of people from rural to urban areas has become a growing
concernTheforlarge-scale migrationThis
cities worldwide. of people
trend hasfromledrural
to anto increasingly
urban areas has highbecome a growing
concentration of
concern for cities worldwide. This trend has led to an increasingly high
population in urban centers, which is projected to continue rising in the coming years. As concentration of
apopulation
result, bothintraditional
urban centers, whichcities
and smart is projected to continue
face serious risingrelated
challenges in the tocoming years. As
infrastructure,
a result, both traditional and smart cities face serious challenges related
resource management, and vulnerability to various risks, such as environmental disasters, to infrastructure,
resource management,
overcrowding, and vulnerability
and economic strain [52].toInvarious risks,of
the context such as environmental
smart disasters,
cities, these challenges
overcrowding, and economic strain [52]. In the context of smart
become even more pronounced as the need for advanced technologies and innovative cities, these challenges
solutions to manage these issues intensifies.
Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 11 of 16

5.1.5. Technical Challenges of Smart Cities

Smart cities are made up of various sensors, devices, and appliances from multiple
vendors, and their effectiveness depends on the integration of these diverse elements at
the application layer. Technological advancements have led to significant transformations
in major cities globally, where technology is being used to enhance the quality of life for
residents, visitors, and businesses. However, the simultaneous growth of technology and
malicious threats has sparked considerable concern over how to protect smart cities and
their operations from potential cyberattacks [21].

5.1.6. Legislative Challenges of Smart Cities

Legislation, particularly in areas like waste management, is a crucial issue in modern
smart cities due to concerns over environmental pollution and landfills. The objective
of smart waste management is to streamline and expedite the collection and separation
processes. Additionally, failure management is an important consideration for any smart
city development project. Sustainability-focused design incorporates immediate recovery
strategies to address failures and restore city operations to normal. However, identifying
and implementing effective recovery and fault tolerance measures can increase both design
and operational costs. The challenge lies in developing failure recovery systems that are
both cost-effective and operationally efficient [21].

5.1.7. Political Challenges of Smart Cities

The shift in public policies toward adopting smart cities as a novel and unconventional
approach raises significant concerns given the potential for both success and failure. This is
especially important considering the impact of failures on decision-makers, particularly
amid the economic recession affecting many countries. Implementing this new approach
requires alignment with the state’s political initiatives. Furthermore, the lack of integration
within existing governmental frameworks and strategies hinders the effective execution of
smart city initiatives, complicating their adoption and long-term success.

5.2. Framework for Promoting Sustainable Smart City Initiative in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s ambition to transform its urban areas into sustainable smart cities
aligns closely with the national Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification, reduced de-
pendency on oil, and an enhanced quality of life for its citizens. This framework proposes a
comprehensive approach to achieving these objectives by addressing key dimensions of
smart cities, implementing effective strategies, overcoming challenges, and incorporating
robust monitoring mechanisms. The overarching vision of Saudi Arabia’s sustainable smart
cities initiative is to harmonize technological innovation with environmental sustainability
and social inclusivity. By leveraging advanced technologies, cities aim to reduce their
carbon footprints, optimize resource efficiency, and enhance urban resilience. These ef-
forts will contribute to creating urban environments that adapt effectively to economic,
environmental, and social challenges while ensuring a high quality of life for present and
future generations.
The proposed framework in this study is built on eight essential dimensions, namely
(1) vision and strategy development; (2) smart infrastructure and technology integration;
(3) data-driven governance; (4) environmental sustainability; (5) economic and social
inclusivity; (6) resilience and security; (7) resilience and security; and (8) monitoring,
evaluation, and continuous improvement, as illustrated in Figure 5.
Sustainability 2025,17,
Sustainability2025, 17,1525
x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of 16
12 of 16

Figure 5. Proposed framework for promoting sustainable smart city initiative in Saudi Arabia.
Figure 5. Proposed framework for promoting sustainable smart city initiative in Saudi Arabia.

The first
The first dimension,
dimension, vision visionand andstrategy
strategy development,
development, is foundational
is foundational for Saudi
for SaudiAra-
bia, aligning
Arabia, aligning withwiththe thecountry’s
country’sVision Vision2030.
2030.ThisThis national
national strategy already emphasizes
strategy already emphasizes
sustainability, innovation, and economic diversification. Clear long-term goalstailored
sustainability, innovation, and economic diversification. Clear long-term goals tailored to
the
to theKingdom’s
Kingdom’s ambitions
ambitions cancanintegrate
integrate sustainable
sustainable urbanization
urbanization with
with objectives
objectives likelike
re-
ducing reliance on fossil fuels. Engaging stakeholders, such as
reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Engaging stakeholders, such as municipal authorities, municipal authorities, pri-
vate sector
private sectorplayers,
players,academic
academicinstitutions,
institutions,and and local
local communities,
communities, ensures ensures inclusivity
inclusivityin in
planning. Aligning these efforts with global standards like the
planning. Aligning these efforts with global standards like the United Nations SustainableUnited Nations Sustainable
DevelopmentGoals
Development Goals(SDGs)
(SDGs)positions
positionsSaudi SaudiArabia
Arabiaasasaaleader
leaderin insustainable
sustainabledevelopment.
development.
The second focus, smart infrastructure and technology
The second focus, smart infrastructure and technology integration, revolves aroundintegration, revolves around
leveragingadvanced
leveraging advancedtechnologies
technologiesto tooptimize
optimizeurban urbansystems.
systems.This Thisinvolves
involvesdeveloping
developing
renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, integrating smart grids totoenhance
renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, integrating smart grids enhance
energyefficiency,
energy efficiency,and anddeploying
deployingsustainable
sustainabletransportation
transportationsystemssystemssuch suchas aselectric
electricandand
autonomous vehicles. Smart waste management systems also
autonomous vehicles. Smart waste management systems also play a role, enabling efficient play a role, enabling effi-
cient recycling
recycling and energy
and energy recoveryrecovery
from fromwaste. waste. Data-driven
Data-driven governance
governance is another
is another pillar
pillar of
of the framework, highlighting the role of the IoT and big data
the framework, highlighting the role of the IoT and big data in managing city operations.in managing city operations.
Bycollecting
By collectingreal-time
real-timedata, data,city
cityadministrators
administratorscan canmake
makeinformed
informeddecisions,
decisions,improve
improve
transparency, and engage citizens through participatory platforms.
transparency, and engage citizens through participatory platforms. This approach fosters This approach fosters
a
a better
better management
management of resources,
of resources, suchsuch as traffic,
as traffic, air quality,
air quality, and energy
and energy consumption,
consumption, while
while empowering
empowering residents residents to contribute
to contribute to decision-making
to decision-making processes. processes.
EnvironmentalEnvironmental
sustain-
sustainability
ability is atheme,
is a central centralfocusing
theme, focusing
on greenon green
urban urban planning,
planning, energy-efficient
energy-efficient buildings,build-
and
ings, and sustainable land use practices. Water conservation
sustainable land use practices. Water conservation through smart monitoring systems and through smart monitoring
systems and
promoting promoting
climate climate
resilience, suchresilience, such asand
as flood control flood controlinfrastructure,
adaptive and adaptive is infrastruc-
integral
ture, is integral to this effort. These measures aim to reduce
to this effort. These measures aim to reduce environmental impact and enhance the city’s environmental impact and
enhance
ability the city’s ability
to withstand to withstand
climate-related climate-related challenges.
challenges.
Theframework
The framework also also prioritizes economic
economic and andsocial
socialinclusivity,
inclusivity,advocating
advocatingfor forequi-
eq-
table access
uitable accesstotoessential
essential services
services and andaffordable
affordable housing.
housing. It encourages
It encourages the the
creation of jobs
creation of
in emerging
jobs in emerging fields likelike
fields IT and green
IT and technologies
green technologies while
whilepromoting
promoting digital inclusion
digital inclusionto en-
to
sure allallcitizens
ensure citizenscan canparticipate
participatein inthethe digital
digital transformation. Resilience
Resilience and and security
securityformform
anotherkey
another key aspect
aspect of theof framework.
the framework. This involves
This involves buildingbuilding robust cybersecurity
robust cybersecurity measures
measures
to to protect
protect critical critical infrastructure
infrastructure and data alongsideand data alongside
disaster disaster
response response
systems systems
for effective
for effective
early warning early
andwarning
recovery.and recovery. Fault-tolerant
Fault-tolerant systems aresystemsessential aretoessential
maintain toessential
maintain
essentialduring
services services during disruptions,
disruptions, ensuring the ensuring the cityoperational
city remains remains operational in crises. Col-
in crises. Collaboration
laboration and partnerships are emphasized to foster innovation and resource sharing.
Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 13 of 16

and partnerships are emphasized to foster innovation and resource sharing. Public–private
partnerships (PPPs) are vital for funding and implementing smart city projects, while learn-
ing from other cities globally helps adapt best practices. Finally, the framework emphasizes
continuous improvement through monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
By establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and creating feedback loops, cities can
refine their strategies and technologies. Transparency is critical, with regular updates and
reports ensuring public accountability.

6. Conclusions
This study highlights the transformative potential of smart cities in addressing Saudi
Arabia’s pressing urban challenges, particularly within the framework of Vision 2030.
By integrating advanced technologies, innovative planning, and sustainable practices,
smart cities provide a pathway to balance rapid urbanization with long-term resilience and
economic growth. Saudi Vision 2030’s emphasis on economic diversification, environmental
sustainability, and improved quality of life underscores the central role of smart cities in the
nation’s future. These cities aim to optimize resources, reduce environmental impacts, and
enhance urban efficiency, creating spaces that cater to present needs while safeguarding
future generations. The research highlights how Saudi Arabia’s strategic focus on smart
cities aligns with global sustainability goals, enabling the country to lead in adopting
cutting-edge urban models tailored to its unique socio-economic context.
Despite their potential, smart city initiatives in Saudi Arabia face significant challenges
that require careful strategic planning. Economic hurdles, such as the high costs of design,
implementation, and maintenance, pose barriers to wide-scale adoption. Similarly, social
and cultural considerations, including the need for inclusive urban spaces and community
engagement, complicate implementation. Governance-related obstacles, such as regulatory
gaps and fragmented policies, further hinder progress. Overcoming these challenges
demands a collaborative approach, uniting government agencies, private enterprises,
and local communities. Transparent governance, active citizen participation, and well-
coordinated policies are essential for the successful realization of smart cities. By fostering
a culture of inclusivity and innovation, Saudi Arabia can transform these challenges into
opportunities, creating urban environments that are resilient, equitable, and adaptable to
diverse needs.
The proposed framework offers a robust guide for fostering sustainable smart cities in
Saudi Arabia, focusing on key dimensions such as technological integration, environmental
sustainability, and social inclusivity. By leveraging data-driven governance and fostering
public–private partnerships, the framework emphasizes actionable strategies to address
urban challenges effectively. It outlines approaches to enhance energy efficiency, promote
green urban planning, and develop digital inclusion initiatives that ensure equitable access
to technological advancements. Additionally, it encourages economic diversification by
creating job opportunities in emerging sectors, such as renewable energy and information
technology. These strategies not only enhance urban livability and resilience but also
position Saudi Arabia as a leader in the Arab region, showcasing the global applicability of
its vision for sustainable and smart urbanism.
The success of smart city initiatives in Saudi Arabia will depend on ongoing evalua-
tions, strategic refinements, and adaptability to evolving challenges. Establishing clear key
performance indicators and integrating feedback mechanisms are crucial for maintaining
continuous improvement. Resilience will also require robust cybersecurity measures, ef-
ficient resource management, and climate adaptation strategies to ensure the long-term
viability of urban centers. Engaging diverse stakeholders in decision-making processes will
further strengthen the inclusivity and responsiveness of smart cities. By prioritizing inno-
Sustainability 2025, 17, 1525 14 of 16

vation, collaboration, and sustainability, Saudi Arabia is poised to set a regional benchmark
in sustainable urban development. Its smart cities have the potential to address global
urbanization challenges while fostering a high quality of life and economic prosperity for
future generations.
Building on this study, the proposed framework can be applied to Saudi Arabia,
encompassing both larger and smaller cities, to evaluate its effects and identify potential
advantages and drawbacks for further refinement.

Funding: This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement: Not Applicable.

Informed Consent Statement: Not Applicable.

Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are available upon request from
the author.

Conflicts of Interest: The author declares no conflicts of interest.

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