Internet of things and smart cities: technological transformation, sustainability, and challenges in intelligent urban ecosystems

Authors

Keywords:

Internet of Things, smart cities, urban sustainability, digital governance, artificial intelligence

Abstract

The accelerated growth of urbanization, digital transformation, and intelligent connectivity technologies has positioned the Internet of Things (IoT) as one of the fundamental pillars in the development of smart cities. This study analyzes the role of IoT in transforming contemporary urban environments, emphasizing its impact on sustainability, digital governance, infrastructure management, and intelligent public service delivery. The research employed a qualitative documentary methodology supported by a systematic analytical approach based on the critical review of scientific literature published between 2018 and 2026. The analyzed sources included peer-reviewed scientific articles, systematic reviews, bibliometric studies, and institutional reports related to smart cities, artificial intelligence, urban digitalization, and IoT-enabled infrastructures. The findings demonstrate that IoT technologies contribute significantly to improving operational efficiency, optimizing resource management, strengthening environmental sustainability, and enhancing real-time urban decision-making through interconnected sensors, predictive analytics, and intelligent communication systems. Furthermore, the study reveals that the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital twins is accelerating the evolution of autonomous and data-centric urban ecosystems capable of adapting dynamically to complex social and environmental conditions. However, the analysis also identifies important challenges associated with cybersecurity vulnerabilities, digital privacy, technological inequalities, interoperability limitations, and governance deficiencies that continue to hinder the sustainable implementation of intelligent urban systems. The study concludes that the future of smart cities will depend on inclusive governance models capable of integrating technological innovation, ethical regulation, environmental sustainability, and citizen participation to achieve resilient and sustainable urban transformation.

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References

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Published

2026-06-30

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 3 (2026): Educación, salud e innovación para el desarrollo sostenible: perspectivas desde la investigación aplicada (julio-septiembre)

Section

Artículos

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Copyright (c) 2026 Parvin Houshyari Ajirlo, Rasol Samadzadeh, Mohammad Taqi Masuomi

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