Smart and Sustainable Cities: The Case of Amman, Jordan

In an era shaped by rapid urbanization and digital transformation, smart cities have become a global imperative for sustainable, efficient, and citizen-centric development. This article analyzes Amman’s development into a smart city, highlighting its role as a model for emerging urban areas. Leveraging recent technologies such as AI, IoT, blockchain, and big data, Amman is actively transitioning from a traditional city to a smart one enhancing mobility, energy efficiency, education, healthcare, and citizen engagement. This study examines Amman’s smart city vision and roadmap, technological infrastructure, key application domains, implemented innovation projects, and global rankings. It also explores the challenges the city faces, future research opportunities across various domains, the role of software in urban development, and the critical factors contributing to Amman’s success as a smart city. This article serves as a vital reference for researchers, policymakers, urban planners, and practitioners aiming to shape next-generation smart cities. The case of Amman underscores how strategic governance, public-private collaboration, and the effective use of emerging technologies can accelerate sustainable urban transformation.