# Investigating the Key Aspects of a Smart City through Topic Modeling and Thematic Analysis
## 4 Discussion
### Addressing RQ1  
A number of themes and subthemes were extracted from the data using topic modeling and thematic analysis to address RQ1. Considering all the points mentioned above and harnessing the HC dendrograms alongside the topic heatmaps that we generated for the three datasets, we have discerned a range of themes, each tailored to a distinct perspective: city applications, technology, and socio-economic considerations. This information holds significant potential for informing smart city planning, administration, and service provision. In essence, the identified themes shed light on the specific aspects of smart cities that need to be taken into account during the design and management phases to effectively address various challenges. The findings are visualized on a thematic map in Figure 23.  
From the perspective of city applications (highlighted in green in Figure 23), we have identified the following predominant aspects of the smart city:  
Aspect 1: Mobility  
As the population grows, a host of challenges arise, including traffic congestion, heightened emissions, and both environmental and economic concerns. In light of these issues, the implementation of pertinent strategies by smart cities becomes paramount in addressing the escalating problems tied to traffic. The mobility aspect encompasses themes related to the movement of people and goods within the city. It includes topics such as traffic management, electric vehicles, parking space, public transportation, road safety, bicycles, railroad, ports, positioning, autonomous driving, and sidewalks. Aspect 2: Energy  
Energy management undoubtedly stands as a pivotal factor for every city. Any instance of power failure is untenable when considering the construction of a smart city. Consequently, a smart city must undertake the following tasks: Firstly, it augments existing power systems via cutting-edge designs, streamlined service automation, supply monitoring and control, and the inclusion of charging and discharging facilities. Secondly, it promotes energy-conscious practices among users, imparting cost-effective energy usage strategies [55] and suggesting alternative options to facilitate informed decisions. Thirdly, it unifies all energy resources [56] within a singular framework. The energy aspect pertains to electricity and energy management within the smart city. It covers themes like smart grids, renewable energy sources, carbon emissions reduction, and advanced lighting solutions. Aspect 3: Infrastructure  
The smart city infrastructure serves as the initial stride toward establishing the comprehensive framework and architecture of a smart city. The incessantly growing need for resources, propelled by economic advancement and global population growth, necessitates a continuous commitment to the endeavors associated with sustainable development. Themes in this aspect encompass water management, buildings, housing, and suburban and city architecture. Aspect 4: Environment  
The environment plays a paramount role in the sustainable development of smart cities. A clean, pollution-free, and hazard-free environment is crucial for humanity's progress and the well-being of cities. Environment addresses the smart city's integration within a sustainable ecosystem. This aspect covers themes such as air pollution, green spaces, sustainability, waste management, noise pollution, disaster management, and climate. Moving on to the technology perspective (highlighted in blue in Figure 23), we identified the following dominant aspects of the smart city:  
Aspect 5: Internet of Things (IoT)  
The internet has revolutionized our daily routines by optimizing resource utilization and enhancing our quality of life. The IoT, in turn, has transformed ordinary objects into intelligent devices capable of internet-based communication [9]. Smart city designs are replacing conventional urban planning approaches, incorporating wireless networks for smart city monitoring.