• *Data Management*

High: Cities with strong data management practices have clear policies and procedures for collecting, storing, and using data. They also have robust security measures in place to protect data from unauthorized access or disclosure.

Medium: Cities with medium-level data management practices have some policies and procedures in place, but they may not be as comprehensive or well-enforced as in high-level cities. They may also have some security measures in place, but they may not be as robust as in high-level cities.

Low: Cities with low-level data management practices have few or no policies and procedures in place for collecting, storing, and using data. They may also have very few security measures in place.

• *Privacy*

High: Cities with high levels of privacy protection have strong laws and regulations that protect the privacy of citizens. They also have transparent data collection and use practices, and they give citizens the ability to control their personal data.

Medium: Cities with medium levels of privacy protection have some laws and regulations in place, but they may not be as comprehensive or well-enforced as in high-level cities. They may also have some transparent data collection and use practices, but they may not give citizens as much control over their personal data.

Low: Cities with low levels of privacy protection have few or no laws and regulations in place to protect the privacy of citizens. They may also have opaque data collection and use practices, and they may not give citizens any control over their personal data.

8. Quality of Life (QoL)

Assess the overall impact of smart city initiatives on the quality of life for residents. Consider factors such as improved access to healthcare, education, safety, public amenities, and cultural opportunities [234] as it Table 9. Evaluate the level of inclusion and equity in the implementation of smart technologies to ensure that benefits are accessible to all sectors of the population [237,238]. The QoL score is based on a number of factors, including:



**Table 9.** Quality of Life (QoL) Metric [218].

#### 9. Economic Development

Evaluate the impact of smart city initiatives on economic growth, job creation, and innovation. Look for evidence of attracting investment, supporting local businesses, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating a favorable environment for technology startups [237,238].

As depicted in Table 10, Singapore [239] has the highest GDP per capita of all the cities listed. NEOM has a 0% growth rate, while NAC has a negative growth rate. It is important to note that GDP growth rate is not the only factor that contributes to economic development. Other factors such as unemployment rate, inflation rate, and QoL also play a role [200].


**Table 10.** Economic Development Metric [200].

Overall, the economic development of the smart cities listed above is promising. These cities are all working to improve their infrastructure and to become more attractive to foreign investment. As a result, they have the potential to become major economic hubs in the years to come [200].

Consider whether the city has established appropriate metrics and indicators to measure the performance and effectiveness of smart city initiatives [237]. Assess the availability of data-driven feedback loops that allow continuous monitoring, evaluation, and iterative improvement of smart city projects [238]. It is important to note that assessing smart city performance is a complex task, and the evaluation criteria may vary depending on the specific goals, context, and priorities of each city [243].

#### *5.2. Smart Cities' Evaluation*

1. Singapore is a leading smart city in terms of its use of technology to improve the lives of its citizens. It has a well-developed smart transportation system, including a metro system, bus network, and public bike sharing program. The city also has a number of smart buildings and homes that are equipped with sensors and other technology to monitor energy use and provide residents with information about their surroundings.


### *5.3. Smart Cities' Implementation Challenges*

Smart cities are urban areas that use digital technologies and data to enhance the quality of life [218], efficiency, and sustainability [198,199] of their residents and stakeholders. However, there are a number of challenges to implementing smart city [244] solutions, including:

#### 5.3.1. Funding

Smart city projects can be expensive, and funding can be a challenge [244], especially in developing countries.
