# A Comprehensive Survey on the Societal Aspects of Smart Cities
## 5 Discussion  
Due to the demanding requirement of smart cities, academia and industry continue to develop and improve a wide range of technological solutions, as was presented in this review. However, in addition to technological developments, other challenges must be duly considered. One of the main challenges is the lack of consensus on what constitutes a smart city, due to the youth of the field. Different entities have different views and objectives regarding the application of smart technologies to cities. This results in the implementation of local projects, which are often ad hoc and therefore difficult to upgrade, replicate in other locations, and integrate with other local projects. Even if a smart city is developed in a structured manner that addresses these concerns, the absence of agreed-upon standardized technologies, protocols, architectures, and methods means that the implementation in one city may not be suitable for another city due to various factors (e.g., lack of infrastructure, geography, or climate) or may face difficulties in connecting with other cities that have different implementations. This presents significant challenges when implementing smart technologies and their associated benefits in more large-scale projects (e.g., smart national energy grids, environmental controls, or international trade). Middleware platforms are needed to bridge the gap, as demonstrated by the global parking project, which was implemented in the cities of Santander and Busan, which used different standards--FIWARE and oneM2m, respectively--and thus required a mediation framework [307]. Research projects still constitute a significant percentage of smart city implementations. Due to the lack of consensus, research projects may have varying objectives based on the subjective aims of their researchers or immediate needs for a solution. This has unfortunately led to researchers often failing to share their knowledge and not build upon the work of their peers, instead pursuing their own directions and solving the same problems in different ways. Additionally, many research projects fail to transition from the theoretical realm to practical applications [308; 309]. This is one reason why there are multiple technical and non-technical standards, and thus collaborative efforts and research are necessary for the growth of the field of smart cities and for real-world implementation to reach its full potential. Currently, no technical standard holds supremacy over another, and many projects do not use them or even acknowledge their existence for use. Those that do use them should avoid locking themselves into one, as it makes integration and sharing of data difficult and future-proofing harder [11]. Another challenge in smart cities is the potential neglect of the human element. While smart cities offer numerous benefits (e.g., economic or efficiency), it is important not to overlook or ignore the needs of the people. To fully access the benefits of smart cities, individuals require a minimum level of education and digital literacy, as well as access to necessary equipment and infrastructure. When planning a smart city, it is necessary to guarantee that the planned infrastructure is equitably distributed and accessible to all members of the population, especially those who are economically disadvantaged. Additionally, educational programs should be included to address the needs of the population. It is important to plan for projects that enhance the quality of life for citizens even if they have no apparent economic benefits (e.g., cultural programs, urban renewal, or public spaces). Additionally, it is crucial to involve the population in decision-making processes and provide opportunities for them to share their ideas and concerns. Furthermore, it is crucial to prioritize the respect of individuals' data security and privacy in any smart city implementation.