Reassessing smart city development and personal data protection: A regulatory framework

Smart cities are rapidly transforming urban development worldwide, yet their advancement presents a critical tension with personal data protection requirements. Through examining Ordos City as a case study, this paper addresses three key challenges: the balance between macro data efficiency and privacy dignity, conflicts between meso liberal smart city policies and strict data protection regulations, and the micro- level lack of coordination between these domains. While various solutions such as open data initiatives and data exchanges have emerged globally, significant challenges persist. This paper proposes a “data utilization regulatory framework” that establishes clear data ownership classifications and governance mechanisms, consisting of promotional and protective components. This dual approach aims to facilitate data flow while maintaining robust privacy safeguards, ultimately offering a balanced solution that supports both smart city innovation and personal data protection.