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, Started on 2025 -
Completed on 2025
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The convergence of digital innovation and sustainable urban development has become a central theme in
contemporary urban discourse. Smart cities are increasingly seen as strategic responses to urbanization
challenges, warranting a systematic understanding of the evolving research landscape. This study aims to
map the intellectual and thematic development of scholarly work at the intersection of smart cities and
sustainable development. A scientometric analysis was conducted on publications from 2015 to 2018, with
scientometric data retrieved from the Scopus database. Data were processed using Biblioshiny, the
graphical interface of the Bibliometrix R-package. The analysis focused on key performance indicators
including annual scientific production, citation metrics, leading source journals, most globally cited
documents, and thematic structures derived from keyword co-occurrence and multiple correspondence
analysis. A total of 2,998 peer-reviewed publications were analyzed. The findings indicate a steady increase
in scientific output, demonstrating heightened scholarly and policy interest in the field. Core publications
are concentrated in interdisciplinary journals covering sustainability science, information technology, and
urban studies. Frequently cited articles emphasize enabling technologies such as the Internet of Things
(IoT), big data, and 5G networks. Thematic mapping revealed four dominant research clusters:
sustainability, urban governance, smart infrastructure, and environmental monitoring—signaling a shift
from conceptual exploration toward practical implementation and equity-oriented outcomes. This study
provides a comprehensive overview of the knowledge structure and trajectory of research on smart cities
and sustainable development. The observed thematic maturation and increasing policy relevance suggest
a dynamic and interdisciplinary field with growing impact. These insights can inform future academic
inquiries, strategic policymaking, and the design of inclusive, tech-driven urban solutions.