Understanding big data and data protection measures in smart city strategies: An analysis of 28 cities

The Smart City concept aims to improve urban governance and optimize public services, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for citizens. As data generation and processing grow rapidly in volume, velocity, and variety, Smart Cities must integrate secure big data considerations into their strategic frameworks and project implementations. This paper explores how big data and data protection measures are represented in the strategies of 28 cities worldwide. To achieve this, we employed a three-phase research methodology: 1) identifying resources, 2) conducting content analysis, and 3) using the Delphi method. Our findings indicate that only half of the cities explicitly address big data in their strategies, and most lack adequate data protection measures. Additionally, the paper presents a list of recommendations for big data management and data protection, derived from measures found in Smart City strategies and validated by domain experts through the Delphi method. These recommendations aim to enhance understanding of how to effectively incorporate big data and its protection into urban planning and Smart City projects. However, it is important to note that these insights primarily apply to larger urban areas with abundant resources.