Prioritizing Core Data Sets for Smart City Governance: Evidence from Thirty-Six Cities in Thailand

Smart city initiatives increasingly rely on interoperable and high-quality urban data, yet many cities lack systematic methods for prioritizing which datasets should be developed first. This study proposes an evidence-based framework for smart city data prioritization that integrates data need, data availability, and policy urgency into a unified decision-support model. Using standardized data elements across seven nationally defined smart city domains, the framework was applied to thirty-six certified smart cities in Thailand. Data were collected from municipal authorities and national platforms and structured using ISO-based data element and metadata principles. For each data element, a Need Priority Index, Coverage score, and Policy Readiness indicator were computed to assess governance-relevant data readiness. The results reveal a persistent imbalance between high data demand and low data availability across all domains, with Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Energy, and Smart Economy showing the highest urgency. A Core Common Data Set representing 6.7% of assessed properties was identified, centered on population data, geospatial infrastructure, and plans and performance indicators. The framework provides a scalable approach for guiding investments in interoperable smart city data systems.