Abstract

This chapter explores the conceptual evolution and multidimensional implementation of smart cities as socio-technical systems. It investigates how the integration of digital technologies—including the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—reshapes urban governance, service delivery, and participatory planning. Emphasis is placed on the triadic framework of technology, community, and nature, offering a holistic analytical lens for sustainability and inclusivity. Through global case studies (e.g., Singapore, Barcelona, New York), the chapter critically evaluates governance models, data ethics, infrastructural innovation, and policy design. Emerging challenges—cybersecurity, digital inequality, and environmental impacts—are addressed alongside future trajectories in generative AI, biophilic urbanism, and autonomous mobility. Ultimately, the chapter argues that smart cities must transcend technocentric paradigms, fostering equitable, resilient, and democratically governed urban futures.