## 2 Relevant Literature
### Challenges to Smart City Development  
Several common yet dynamic factors, including technical, societal, financial, ecological, and political factors, heavily influence smart city development and advancement [76]. Integrated and accessible foundational ICT resources, such as the internet, data centers, and cloud resources, are essential to advance the work of smart cities [77]. Indeed, real-time technological applications such as AI, IoT, and blockchain require robust foundational infrastructure to play a significant role in collecting and analyzing data to assist in decision-making processes in smart city development [78]. The level of citizen participation and knowledge of smart city projects are also essential social factors to consider in successful initiatives [78]. Public involvement in the progress of smart city programs serves as a check to ensure that the planned objectives are met [79]. Indeed, successful projects reflect diverse citizen involvement to assist in bridging the digital divide between different neighborhoods [80]. Education and awareness campaigns are common to spur public awareness and understanding of smart city initiatives. While using new technological tools in smart city initiatives has proven beneficial, it also presents challenges [81]. One major obstacle is data integration; the data come from different sources with varying formats and standards, making it challenging to combine and analyze effectively [82]. Other methods for collecting and analyzing data can also lead to inconsistent and incomparable results [83]. Another challenge is the need for a skilled workforce, including data scientists and urban planners, to utilize these tools effectively [84]. Unfortunately, many cities lack the necessary expertise, which hinders their ability to use these tools for smart city projects fully. This shortage of expertise also impedes progress in creating more efficient and sustainable urban environments. These challenges must be addressed to realize the potential of new technological tools in smart cities [85]. Recent studies have revealed the important role that economic models play in determining the financial aspects of innovative city projects. This includes aspects such as funding, costs, revenue generation, efficiency, and profitability [86]. Economic feasibility is a critical factor to consider in most smart city projects, as they often require long-term planning and assessment of factors such as ROI, business entity creation, and the potential to attract investments [79; 87]. However, it is also vital to balance economic factors, considering the demand for smart cities to reduce inequality rather than exacerbate it. Another critical aspect to consider is sustainability [88], which encompasses external factors such as energy usage, waste management, water consumption, and carbon emissions [89]. For example, smart city projects must prioritize innovative solutions that minimize environmental harm and contribute to sustainability goals. This can be achieved by implementing innovative grid technologies for energy management and using IoT sensors for efficient waste collection [90; 91], which have become notable features of smart city projects [92]. Governance is viewed as an increasingly critical role in successful smart city projects [16]. Well-crafted policy instruments and a flexible regulatory environment can either facilitate or hinder the implementation of smart city initiatives [93]. A reflection of good governance requires a coordinated management approach involving public, private, and non-governmental organizations. Large-scale smart city development projects often require significant funding frequently leveraged through joint public-private partnerships [94]. Responsive governance structures ensure that public interests are identified and that innovative city initiatives adhere to ethical and legal standards [95].