Quality of life and overtourism in Budapest: resident experiences and smart solutions

Purpose The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between smart cities and quality of life, identifying the indicators that can be used to measure these domains. It analyses how residents experience various aspects of urban life, particularly in terms of leisure, culture and tourism. Their attitudes to smart city developments and tools are also measured, considering the implications for managing overtourism and developing special interest tourism. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on questionnaire data collected from a representative sample of 453 residents in Budapest in 2024. It was distributed online via city district resident forums as well as being distributed face-to-face in various locations throughout the city. Findings The findings reveal that respondents have a positive image of Budapest and find the city relatively safe. Statements about public transport were ranked highly, including efficiency, reliability and affordability. Respondents had mixed feelings about friendliness and cleanliness. Respondents are very positive about cultural and tourist attractions, sports provision, as well as availability of green spaces. Respondents seem to be mainly positive about the impacts of tourism, but further analysis shows that this depends on the district that people are living in. Respondents want Budapest to become a smarter city and seem curious about using smart tools, particularly for transport, parking and ticketing. Recommendations are subsequently made for developing smarter systems for managing overtourism, developing special interest tourism and improving resident quality of life. Originality/value The data provides new insights into under-researched domains of smart cities and their relevance for quality of life, namely leisure, culture and tourism. It captures the perceptions and opinions of residents, whose voices were often not heard in previous top-down studies of smart cities. It focuses on social and quality of life dimensions rather than an economic or technological perspective, filling another gap in smart city research.