Bridging the gap: Strategies for smart city development in Al-Kharj to improve healthcare, education and employment

This study examines strategies to transform Al-Kharj region in Saudi Arabia into a smart city, specifically in the healthcare, education and employment (HEE) sectors. Employing a dynamic panel model from 2010 to 2023, encompassing 121 organizations and firms, we examine the influence of investments in infrastructure, technology adoption, sustainability initiatives and citizen engagement on implementing innovative practices in HEE. Our findings underscore the significant impact of these four factors. Additionally, we conducted surveys among policy-makers and residents to pinpoint the challenges hindering the adoption of these strategies. Based on the surveys’ outcomes, we formulate policy implications and recommendations to assist the Al-Kharj region in transitioning to an intelligent city status.