Thematic and Geographic Trends in Studying Smart Cities and PPP Projects: A Bibliometric Review

This study explores the relationship between public–private partnerships (PPPs) and smart cities in the literature that use information and communication technologies (ICTs) for sustainable urban development. This study explores, based on VOSviewer software 1.6.20, thematic and geographic patterns in academic articles (from Scopus) to identify central themes and knowledge gaps. The key findings highlight a lack of consideration of the African context in studying this subject and the prioritization of technological, governmental, and financial aspects more than social dimensions. The aim of this research is to guide policymakers, planners, and researchers by addressing these gaps to use as future recommendations.