# Decoding Urban Intelligence: Clustering and Feature Importance in Smart Cities
## Experiments  
### Dataset Description  
The considered dataset is derived from IMD Smart City Index (SCI, [[https://www.imd.org/smart-city-observatory/home/](https://www.imd.org/smart-city-observatory/home/)]([https://www.imd.org/smart-city-observatory/home/](https://www.imd.org/smart-city-observatory/home/)), available at [[https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/magdamonteiro/smart-cities-index-datasets/data](https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/magdamonteiro/smart-cities-index-datasets/data)]([https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/magdamonteiro/smart-cities-index-datasets/data](https://www.kaggle.com/datasets/magdamonteiro/smart-cities-index-datasets/data)) accessed on 1 September 2024), and it refers to 2020. It is composed of 102 observations and 11 features. The most relevant ones are introduced in the following.  
Smart mobility measures the efficiency and effectiveness of transportation systems within a city. It evaluates aspects such as public transportation availability, traffic management, and the integration of technology to facilitate the smooth and sustainable movement of people and goods. A high score in smart mobility indicates a city's capability to offer efficient, accessible, and environmentally friendly transportation options.  
Smart environment assesses the city's commitment to environmental sustainability and its efforts to reduce pollution and manage natural resources responsibly. This index includes metrics related to air quality, waste management, renewable energy usage, and green spaces. A higher score in smart environment reflects a city's proactive approach to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for its residents.  
Smart government evaluates the effectiveness, transparency, and responsiveness of a city's government. It looks at how well the city uses technology to provide public services, engage with citizens, and ensure accountability. High scores in smart government indicate a city that leverages digital platforms to enhance governance and foster civic participation.  
Smart economy measures the economic dynamism and innovation capacity of a city. This index considers factors such as the presence of high-tech industries, startup ecosystem, economic growth, and employment rates. A city with a high smart economy score is one that promotes innovation, supports business development, and maintains a vibrant economic environment.  
Smart people assesses the human and social capital within a city. It includes metrics related to education, lifelong learning opportunities, social inclusiveness, and the ability of citizens to adapt to new technologies. A higher score in smart people indicates a city that invests in its residents' skills and knowledge, fostering a community that is educated, engaged, and adaptable.  
Smart living evaluates the quality of life in a city, focusing on factors such as housing, healthcare, safety, and cultural and leisure activities. This index measures how well a city ensures the well-being and happiness of its residents. High scores in smart living reflect a city's success in providing a safe, healthy, and enjoyable living environment.  
The Smart City Index is a composite score that aggregates the evaluations from the various dimensions of a smart city, providing an overall assessment of how smart a city is. This index gives a holistic view of a city's performance across mobility, environment, governance, economy, people, and living conditions.  
Finally, the Smart City Index relative to Edmonton compares each city's overall smart city Index to that of Edmonton, serving as a benchmark. This relative index highlights how each city stands compared to Edmonton's performance as a smart city, providing a contextual understanding of a city's ranking and achievements.