# An Investigation of the Policies and Crucial Sectors of Smart Cities Based on IoT Application
## 1 Introduction  
While old, crowded cities are under pressure from many issues such as population explosion and improper infrastructure, the rise of smart cities (SCs) has provided a good solution for solving many of the existing problems and overcoming urban challenges [1]. Therefore, the rapid development of SCs in recent years reflects their importance [2]. In fact, SCs with greater opportunities for citizens and proper services are becoming anattractive choice for people and communities, and they can be a place for fostering success in health and businesses across the world with the help of smart infrastructure [3]. On the other hand, achieving SC development requires detailed and specific planning and the proper implementation and establishment of policies. Thus, identifying obstacles can grant us a deeper understanding of how to determine the best solutions with less difficulty [4]. Since, in developing SCs, we are faced with numerous barriers and problems in various areas, such as roadways, environment, utilities, parking, public safety, waste management, and public transport, it is pertinent to enhance these sectors through accurate investigation and practical actions [5]. To overcome such barriers, SC governments must implement appropriate strategies and present proper solutions to mitigate or eliminate these barriers [6]. In this regard, the role of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the utilization of these systems is an essential and beneficial strategy to appropriately develop SCs [7]. In fact, with the appearance of new technologies such as the IoT, the concept of SCs has changed and continues to evolve for the better, subsequently improving and accelerating urban management across various sectors [8]. This means that the utilization of the IoT leads to the development of smart cities [9]. In recent years, many types of research have been conducted on SC development [10]. For instance, the importance of the IoT for SC development was also reviewed by [PERSON] et al., who demonstrated that a higher level of interaction between SCs and IoT development is essential, as it can integrate electronic devices. However, the safety risks and privacy issues of participating individuals, companies, and organizations should be considered carefully in such cases [11]. [PERSON] et al., investigated efficient energy management for the IoT in the context of SCs and observed that such management is a key paradigm to monitoring complex energy systems. They also showed that efficient energy management can support wireless energy transfer for IoT devices and energy-efficient planning in smart homes [12]. [PERSON] et al. investigated the growth of the IoT markets across energy systems of SCs. Regarding the importance of smart grid technology innovations in supporting smart energy systems in SCs, the study showed that investment in these systems has increased in recent years. Based on the literature, the IoT of the global energy market exceeded USD 6.8 billion in 2015 and is anticipated to reach USD 26.5 billion by 2023, which portrays an annual growth rate of 15.5% between 2016 and 2023 [13]. [PERSON] et al., investigated the IoT in terms of organizations, in order to innovate and implement it in everyday business activities. The results from the 43 IoT SC project alliances across Italian cities they investigated demonstrated that multinational enterprises are building alliances for exploring new technologies for cities as well as exploiting new IoT-based devices to gain economic profit. The study proved that for companies to achieve the desired results, they must integrate different types of knowledge to ensure efficient management and effective support [14]. [PERSON] et al., analyzed the effects of smart governance on the quality of life in SCs in the three well-known cities of Palo Alto, Nice, and Stockholm. This research emphasized the importance of innovative approaches across SCs, which should be implemented based on the IoT, and consequently, many services should be promptly digitalized.