Dialectics of the interaction between smart infrastructure, smart city, and sustainable development: conceptual municipal-legal and institutional aspects

The article explores the conceptual municipal-legal and institutional aspects of the interaction between smart infrastructure, smart cities, and sustainable development within the context of transforming modern urban spaces. The dialectical relationship among these three categories is examined, highlighting their particular relevance for Ukraine under martial law and in the context of post-war recovery. It is argued that smart infrastructure provides the institutional and functional basis for implementing the smart city concept, which, in turn, serves as an instrument for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level. Based on the analysis of German municipal-legal doctrine and practice, as well as relevant models from other European countries, the study identifies current trends and key directions for the modernization of Ukraine’s municipal law. It demonstrates that the integration of digitalization with sustainability principles requires comprehensive adaptation of national legislation, especially at the municipal level, along with the development of effective legal mechanisms for balanced urban governance. Emphasis is placed on the importance of a human-centered approach, digital inclusion, personal data protection, cybersecurity, and the promotion of civic participation in local decision-making through digital tools. The article offers practical recommendations for addressing the regulatory gap in the field of local self-government. In this context, the development and implementation of a national framework program, «Ukrainian City of the Future» – inspired by Germany’s «Zukunftsstadt» – is identified as a priority. This program should provide a conceptual and systemic foundation for local strategies and municipal regulatory acts focused on upgrading urban infrastructure based on the principles of smartness, energy efficiency, and sustainability. The study emphasizes the need to develop a doctrine of smart-oriented municipal law as a legal foundation for the innovative and sustainable development of Ukrainian cities and communities.