## 1 Introduction  
Technological innovation has long played a major role in urbanization's rapid and intense growth. Such expansion has led to increasingly complex urban infrastructure, resources, and services [1] to meet challenges such as traffic congestion, energy crises, pollution, and a growing need for security [2]. To address the demands of rapid urbanization, cities in the late 20 th century began to analyze massive volumes of data related to their growth. Los Angeles' (USA) large urban data project in the 1970s and the resulting analyses and applications were first referred to as a smart city [3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11]. Since that time, the diverse movement has evolved to a point where the smart cities of today are emphasizing the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and \"big data\" to confront the growing problems across the urban landscape [12; 13; 14]. A thorough understanding of these technologies is crucial in creating a unified and intelligent city infrastructure that can adapt and regulate itself according to the needs and standards of its citizens [3; 15; 16]. As a result, data-driven analysis has become a crucial and fundamental approach in the development and implementation of smart city initiatives. The integration of robust data collection, processing, and analytical techniques is essential for informing the planning, design, and optimization of smart city projects and solutions. By leveraging data-driven insights, city planners and stakeholders can make more informed decisions that enhance the overall functionality, sustainability, and livability of urban areas. Real-time data analysis, for instance, can help city officials reduce traffic congestion and pollution by managing and controlling the traffic flow [17]. Smart grids and energy management systems also offer effective methods for optimizing energy usage and promoting energy efficiency [18; 19; 20]. In addition, smart city techniques improve the management of water, waste, and energy, reducing waste through proper disposal and using renewable energy sources [21]. Aside from enhancing living standards, smart cities also build resilient communities equipped to face the challenges of the 21 st century [22]. Environmental considerations are highly influential in the integration processes that embrace the smart cities program [23]. As the world faces climate change and resource scarcity, governments use intelligent technologies to create more sustainable cities [24]. Over the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in research on smart city development in response to the need for advanced technological solutions to complex urban problems [25]. The focus has primarily been on theoretical perspectives of smart cities, emphasizing the deployment of information and communications technologies (ICTs). Recent studies reflect how ICTs can transform cities by improving service efficiency, promoting environmentally friendly policies, and enhancing the lives of urban residents [26; 27; 28]. However, concerns have arisen regarding the potential for technology to create digital inequality if not appropriately addressed [29]. Other concerns include privacy, with research emphasizing the need for effective measures to protect personal data as surveillance methods evolve [30]. As more people move to urban areas, the demand for efficient, sustainable, and inclusive living environments increases. In response, smart cities have emerged as a promising solution to address these challenges. By leveraging advanced technologies, smart cities aim to optimize resource management, improve public services, and enhance the quality of life for citizens. As a result, there has been a rise in reports and rankings to evaluate cities' performances in terms of their smart city initiatives. While these rankings provide valuable insights, they often fail to identify the specific factors contributing to a city's top ranking.