**5. Smart City Evaluation Metrics**

#### *5.1. Evaluation Metrics*

Assessing smart city performance requires evaluating various aspects of the city's implementation of smart technologies and their impact on the quality of life, sustainability, and efficiency forecast in 2025 [237,238]. As depicted in Figure 5, the evaluation metrics may include:

1. Infrastructure

Evaluate the quality and coverage of the city's digital infrastructure, such as broadband connectivity, sensors, data centers, and communication networks. A robust infrastructure is essential for supporting smart city services [237,238].

As illustrated in Table 2, all of these cities have made significant investments in smart infrastructure. They have all implemented modern transportation systems, switched

to renewable energy sources, and developed innovative waste management and water treatment systems. They have also made significant investments in healthcare, education, and security.

**Figure 5.** Smart City Evaluation Metrics.



It is difficult to say which city has the best infrastructure, as they all have their own strengths and weaknesses. However, Singapore [239], Barcelona [193], Amsterdam [212], Copenhagen [217], and Tokyo are all leading the way in terms of smart city development. NEOM [231] and the NAC [236] are also promising new developments, but they are still under construction.

Overall, these eight cities are setting the standard for smart city infrastructure in 2025. They are all investing in technologies that will help them become more sustainable, efficient, and livable [240,241].

2. Governance and Policy

Examine the city's governance structure and policies related to smart city development. Assess the level of collaboration between different stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and the public. Search for evidence of effective planning, coordination, and regulation of smart programs [237,238].

As depicted in Table 3, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to smart city governance and policy. Each city has its own unique set of challenges and opportunities, and its government must tailor its approach accordingly [230].


**Table 3.** Government and Policy Metric [214].

Another common theme is the focus on sustainability [213,214]. Many smart cities are using technology to reduce their environmental impact [225]. For example, they are using smart transportation systems [214] to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and they are using smart water systems to conserve water [225].

Overall, the governance and policy frameworks of these smart cities are well-established and ambitious [230]. These cities are all working to develop and implement policies that will support their smart city visions. However, there is still some work to be done in terms of data sharing and cybersecurity [211].

#### 3. Energy Efficiency

Assess the city's efforts to optimize energy consumption through smart grids, smart buildings, and energy management systems. Look for proposals that reduce energy waste, promote renewable energy sources, and improve overall energy efficiency [237,238].

The energy efficiency score is a measure of how efficiently a city uses energy by 2025. It is calculated by considering factors such as the city's energy consumption, its renewable energy production, and its energy efficiency policies [215].

As shown in Table 4, Singapore [239] has the highest energy efficiency score, followed by Barcelona and Amsterdam [212]. These cities are all leading the way in terms of sustainable urban development. They have implemented a number of policies and initiatives to reduce their energy consumption and increase their reliance on renewable energy [215].

Dubai and NEOM are also making significant progress in terms of energy efficiency. These cities are investing heavily in renewable energy projects and are developing new technologies to improve energy efficiency [215,231].

The new administrative city in Egypt is still in its early stages of development, but it has ambitious plans to become a sustainable city. The city is targeting an energy efficiency score of 70 by 2030 [236].

Overall, the energy efficiency of smart cities is improving. These cities are leading the way in terms of sustainable urban development and are setting an example for other cities around the world [242].


**Table 4.** Energy Efficiency Metric [199].

4. Mobility and Transportation

Evaluate the city's transportation infrastructure, including smart traffic management systems, public transportation networks, and integration of emerging technologies like electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles, as illustrated in Table 5. Propose smart solutions to reduce traffic congestion, promote sustainable transportation alternatives, and improve mobility for residents [237,238].

**Table 5.** Mobility and Transportation Metric [198].


Overall, these cities are all making great strides in smart mobility [214]. They are investing in a variety of projects, such as autonomous vehicles, shared mobility, and sustainable transportation. These investments are helping to make these cities more livable and sustainable [225].

#### 5. Environment and Sustainability

Assess the city's initiatives aimed at preserving the environment and promoting sustainability. Look for programs that focus on waste management, air quality monitoring, water conservation, green spaces, and the utilization of renewable energy sources. Consider the city's overall carbon footprint and its efforts to mitigate climate change [237,238].

As illustrated in Table 6, all of the cities have made significant progress in terms of environmental sustainability. However, there are some clear leaders, such as Singapore, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam. These cities have achieved high scores in all categories, and they are well-positioned to continue their progress in the years to come [78,218].


**Table 6.** Environment and Sustainability Metric [208].
