International promotion patterns in the smart city literature: Exploring the role of geography in affecting local drivers and smart cities' outcomes

TL;DR

This paper systematically reviews how geographic factors influence the international promotion and outcomes of smart cities, highlighting global patterns and drivers in the academic literature from 2008 to 2021.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive analysis of international promotion patterns in smart city research, emphasizing the role of geography in shaping local drivers and outcomes.

Findings

Geographic location affects smart city promotion strategies.

Global recognition of smart cities varies by region.

Research trends show increasing international focus on smart city development.

Abstract

The rise of smart cities represents a significant trend in urban development. However, only in recent years has attention shifted toward the international promotion of these cities. Despite ongoing academic discussions on the impact of smart city development on urban environments, the global recognition of smart cities remains uncertain due to their multidisciplinary nature. To address this, we conducted a systematic literature review of articles published in top-tier peer-reviewed journals from 2008 to December 2021, offering a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature.