1. Introduction
Sustainable smart cities are presented as an integrated response to the complex challenges of twenty-first century urbanization, combining advanced information and communication technologies with economic, social, and environmental sustainability principles. In Iran, despite initial efforts toward smart city development, the absence of a localized, coherent, and context-sensitive framework has hindered effective and sustainable progress. This study aims to assess the current situation and develop a localized framework for a sustainable smart city in Iran, focusing on Shiraz as a case study.
2. Methods and Material
The research adopts a mixed-methods (qualitative–quantitative) approach. Data were collected through expert questionnaires for the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), public questionnaires administered to citizens, and semi-structured interviews. The statistical population included academic experts, urban managers, and citizens of Shiraz.
3. Results and Discussion
Findings indicate that, within the Iranian context, the dimensions of “smart economy” and “smart mobility” are the most critical, with weights of 0.23 and 0.20 respectively, while “smart environment” and “smart living” occupy lower priority levels. The SWOT–TOWS analysis identified institutional, cultural, and technological challenges and formulated four categories of strategies to advance a sustainable smart city.
4. Conclusion
Ultimately, a localized three-layer framework was designed, consisting of: (1) an infrastructural–institutional layer, (2) a functional six-dimensional layer, and (3) an enabling layer. This framework emphasizes the synergy between technology, data-driven governance, and citizen participation. It can serve as an operational model for other Iranian cities seeking to implement sustainable smart city initiatives.
5. References
(References are available upon request.)