Research trends on sustainable development in smart cities

Sustainable development in smart cities involves the integration of advanced technologies and efficient urban management to address challenges such as population growth and resource optimization. These cities leverage information technologies to improve quality of life and promote more sustainable urban governance. Although scientific production in this field has grown significantly, important gaps remain that require in-depth analysis. This study aims to examine research trends on the topic through a bibliometric analysis of 427 publications retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The results reveal growing interest, with significant publication peaks in 2021 and 2023. China (28.1%), the United States (16.6%), and India (9.4%) emerge as the most productive countries. Among the most influential institutions are Tongji University and Tsinghua University, while Sustainability leads as the most prolific journal (18.5%). These findings reflect Asia’s leadership in generating knowledge in this area. Thematic evolution reveals a shift toward emerging topics such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and resilience, forming key conceptual clusters. The emergence of keywords such as “energy efficiency” and “smart mobility” points to promising areas for future research. Key authors like Bibri, Yigitcanlar, and Krogstie provide solid theoretical frameworks to guide upcoming studies. Overall, the findings underscore the need for global collaboration to address sustainability challenges in increasingly urbanized and technologically driven societies.