Defining the Dimensions and Influential Components of Smart Cities with an Emphasis on Energy Efficiency

Document Type : Articles extracted from Thesis

Authors

Department of Urban Design & Planning, Art Faculty, University of Bojnord, Bojnord, Iran

10.22034/future.2026.24526.1034

Abstract

A B S T R A C T
The energy issue is one of the most critical challenges and controversial topics of the current century worldwide. Given the current situation, the need for cities to seek smart and sustainable solutions to address these challenges is imperative. Despite the growing body of literature on the role of smart cities in energy management, a conspicuous research gap remains in developing a comprehensive framework that elucidates the dimensions and components affecting energy efficiency. Therefore, aiming to bridge this theoretical gap, the present study identifies the key dimensions and components of energy efficiency and, for the first time, classifies and presents them within a comprehensive conceptual framework across three spatial scales: macro, meso, and micro. To achieve the research objective, a qualitative methodology based on a literature review was employed. Data regarding the dimensions and components of energy efficiency in smart cities were extracted from selected articles; alongside the literature review, domestic and international experiences were also examined. The findings indicate that the effective dimensions of smart cities regarding energy efficiency include: at the macro scale (energy structure, investment bodies, spatial, social, economic, environmental, political, technological, innovation, and physical-spatial); at the meso scale (technical, functional, physical-spatial, mobility, environmental quality, energy, lighting, urban vitality, and urban regeneration); and at the micro scale (modeling, environmental sustainability, energy, lighting, materials, smart environment, and physical form). The final outcome of this research is a conceptual framework of smart city dimensions and components emphasizing energy efficiency.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Given that cities account for a significant portion of global primary energy consumption, optimal energy management and a transition to renewable sources have become vital imperatives for ensuring environmental sustainability and the well-being of future generations. Within this framework, the concept of smart cities has emerged as a key strategy to confront energy challenges and promote sustainable development. By leveraging advanced technologies, smart cities possess the potential to enhance energy efficiency, improve citizens’ quality of life, and prevent environmental and social disruptions. Although substantial progress has been made in recent years concerning smart cities and energy efficiency solutions, a significant research gap persists regarding the precise identification and clarification of the dimensions and components that influence achieving energy efficiency in this context. The absence of a comprehensive understanding of these dimensions and components represents a major barrier to designing, developing, and implementing effective strategies for attaining energy-efficient and sustainable smart cities. This study aims to fill this theoretical gap by identifying the key dimensions and components affecting energy efficiency and, for the first time, classifying and presenting them within a comprehensive three-level conceptual framework comprising macro, meso, and micro scales. This three-tiered framework facilitates a deeper understanding and more targeted policy-making to enhance energy efficiency in smart cities.
 
Methodology
This study employs a qualitative literature review methodology, during which relevant sources were collected from reputable global databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, Elsevier, Google Scholar, as well as domestic databases including MagIran, the Scientific Information Database of Jahad Daneshgahi, IranDoc, and ElmNet. The study population comprises articles published between 2015 and 2025 in English and between 1394 and 1404 (2015–2025 Gregorian calendar) in Persian. These articles were then evaluated based on criteria including topical relevance, publication quality in scientific-research journals, availability of full text, and conformity with the specified time frame.
 
Results and Discussion
Emphasizing the criteria outlined in the PRISMA standard checklist, a total of 19 selected articles (16 English and 3 Persian) were ultimately included for analysis. Beyond the literature review, to enrich the research and better understand practical applications, relevant national and international field studies and experiences were also evaluated. The integration of these reviews with the analysis of practical experiences of smart cities worldwide resulted in the development of the final conceptual framework for energy efficiency in smart cities, which is hierarchically organized into three levels: macro, meso, and micro. At the macro level, a variety of dimensions including energy structure, institutional and investment dimensions, spatial, social, economic, environmental, political, technological, innovation, and physical-spatial aspects are considered, which play a fundamental role in shaping policies, high-level decision-making, and strategic orientations of smart cities. This level determines the quality of governance, technological capacities, and institutional-investment infrastructures that form the foundation for sustainable development. The meso level encompasses dimensions such as technical, functional, physical-spatial, transportation, environmental quality, energy, lighting, vitality, and urban regeneration, acting as a bridge between macro policies and micro-level actions. This level often faces challenges related to institutional coordination and urban management and plays a vital role in translating overarching goals into actionable programs. At the micro level, components such as energy consumption modeling, environmental sustainability, energy, lighting, materials, smart environment, and physical form directly influence energy consumption behavior and cover the domains of design, construction, operation, and management of micro-urban equipment and spaces.
 
Conclusion
The study’s findings indicate that enhancing energy efficiency in smart cities requires simultaneous interaction and synergy among technological, social, institutional, and physical dimensions across all three levels, and cannot be limited merely to the deployment of smart technologies. These findings align with previous studies and emphasize the importance of effective governance, active citizen participation, and targeted investments within a coherent policy framework. Moreover, identifying multidimensional components and integrating them into urban planning and management processes will serve as the primary pathway toward significantly improving energy efficiency. Among the main limitations of this study are the lack of comprehensive empirical data and restricted access to some key sources, challenges that have reduced the precision of comparative analyses. Accordingly, future research is recommended to expand the scope of the study and utilize applied modeling and scenario analysis to test and validate the proposed framework, thereby enhancing its practical applicability across different geographical and managerial levels. The significance of the proposed three-level framework lies not only in highlighting the interdisciplinary and multidimensional nature of the energy efficiency issue but also in providing scientifically grounded and practical guidance for researchers, urban managers, and planners to design targeted strategies, interventions, and projects aimed at sustainable urban development. This framework can serve as a solid foundation for future research and policymaking related to energy-oriented smart cities.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
The research design, data collection, analysis of findings, and writing of all parts of this article were carried out by Salvi Beheshti Asl, and Javad Imanishamlou was responsible for scientific guidance and supervision of all stages of the research.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.

Keywords

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Future City, Indigenous Thought
Volume 1, Issue 2
November 2025
Pages 177-194

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