Developing a sustainable smart city framework for developing economies: An Indian context

Abstract The present research work is one of initial effort to develop a sustainable smart city (SSC) structural framework in developing economies especially in Indian context. To accomplish this objective, the present work employs a hybrid Best Worst Method (BWM) – Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) approach. In this work, various key enablers influencing SSC development are extracted through literature. The BWM technique is utilised to identify their intensity of influence and ISM is used to develop a structural framework for successfully executing the SSC development projects. Several major categories of enablers, such as energy and environmental, infrastructural, strategy and policy oriented, informational and technological, social and personal, and mobility possess strong influence on SSC development agenda. The results reveals that sustainable resources management, development of smart buildings, advanced research and development system, and intelligent transportation are the key enablers of the developed framework. The fuzzy MICMAC analysis further assists in computing the driving power and dependence of the enablers. This research work will be beneficial for policy makers and practitioners in understanding of smart city development and would certainly help to grow nations’ economy by generating higher employment, foreign investments, and developing superior technological advancements.