Sectoral Interconnectedness: insights from five sectors in ‘smart’ urban planning (Energy, Transport, Waste Management, Buildings, and Cities)
Keywords:
Smart urban planning, Sectoral interconnectedness, Smart energy, Smart transport, Smart waste management, Smart buildings, Smart cities
Abstract
‘Smart’ urban planning has become essential for addressing contemporary urban challenges, with sectoral interconnectedness at its core for achieving sustainable, efficient, and resilient cities. Yet it remains unknown to what extent the elements of smart are interlinked across the sectors. Therefore, this paper examines the degree of interconnectedness across five smart sectors: Energy, Transport, Waste management, Buildings, and Smart cities, covering site to city-wide scale. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining qualitative thematic coding and quantitative correlation analysis using NVivo's suite of cluster analysis tools. Strong interconnectedness was identified between the Energy and Transport sectors, driven by digital transformation and data-driven decision-making. In contrast, weak interconnectedness was observed between transformative cross-sectoral (CS) goals such as climate adaptation and sustainability. Smart Cities was the most interconnected sector, acting as a central platform where CS goals like sustainability, digital transformation, and real-time data utilization converge. Nevertheless, sectoral silos and inconsistent interoperability threaten the realization of holistic smart urban outcomes. This highlights the urgent need for cohesive frameworks that systematically align CS goals across sectors, ensuring that technological innovations contribute meaningfully to long-term environmental and social objectives. The paper’s insights can help policymakers and practitioners strengthen cross-sector collaboration, optimize urban systems, and promote integrated, adaptive, and sustainable smart urban planning.
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26. Haydari, A., & Yilmaz, Y. (2022). Deep Reinforcement Learning for Intelligent Transportation Systems: A Survey. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 23(1), 11–32. https://doi.org/10.1109/TITS.2020.3008612
27. Hurlimann, A., Moosavi, S., & Browne, G. R. (2021). Urban planning policy must do more to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation actions. Land Use Policy, 101, 105188. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.LANDUSEPOL.2020.105188
28. Javed, A. R., Shahzad, F., Rehman, S. ur, Zikria, Y. Bin, Razzak, I., Jalil, Z., & Xu, G. (2022). Future smart cities requirements, emerging technologies, applications, challenges, and future aspects. Cities, 129. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CITIES.2022.103794
29. Jiang, H. (2021). Smart urban governance in the ‘smart’ era: Why is it urgently needed? Cities, 111, 103004. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CITIES.2020.103004
30. Kondiba, V., & Kothalanka, A. (2023). Smart City Sustainability Based on IoT Technologies and Applications. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, 363, 323–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4717-1_30
31. Lee, J., Babcock, J., Pham, T. S., Bui, T. H., & Kang, M. (2023). Smart city as a social transition towards inclusive development through technology: a tale of four smart cities. International Journal of Urban Sciences, 27(S1), 75–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/12265934.2022.2074076
32. Meng, X., & Zhu, L. (2024). Augmenting cybersecurity in smart urban energy systems through IoT and blockchain technology within the Digital Twin framework. Sustainable Cities and Society, 106, 105336. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCS.2024.105336
33. Onyango, V., Forghaniallahabadi, M., & Gazzola, P. (2025). Singing from the Same Hymn Sheet? A Semantic and Convergence Analysis of the Extent to Which ‘Smart’ is Similarly Understood and Applied Across Energy, Transport, and Waste Management Sectors of Urban Planning. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 21(8), 120–120. https://doi.org/10.19044/ESJ.2025.V21N8P120
34. Pacheco, J., & Hariri, S. (2016). IoT security framework for smart cyber infrastructures. Proceedings - IEEE 1st International Workshops on Foundations and Applications of Self-Systems, FAS-W 2016, 242–247. https://doi.org/10.1109/FAS-W.2016.58
35. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., & Moher, D. (2020). Mapping of reporting guidance for systematic reviews and meta-analyses generated a comprehensive item bank for future reporting guidelines. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 118, 60–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLINEPI.2019.11.010
36. Russo, A. (2025). Towards Nature-Positive Smart Cities: Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Ecology. Smart Cities 2025, Vol. 8, Page 26, 8(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/SMARTCITIES8010026
2. Almalki, F. A., Alsamhi, S. H., Sahal, R., Hassan, J., Hawbani, A., Rajput, N. S., Saif, A., Morgan, J., & Breslin, J. (2021). Green IoT for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Smart Cities: Future Directions and Opportunities. Mobile Networks and Applications 2021 28:1, 28(1), 178–202. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11036-021-01790-W
3. Alrashed, S. (2020). Key performance indicators for Smart Campus and Microgrid. Sustainable Cities and Society, 60, 102264. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCS.2020.102264
4. Andronie, M., Lăzăroiu, G., Ștefănescu, R., Uță, C., & Dijmărescu, I. (2021). Sustainable, Smart, and Sensing Technologies for Cyber-Physical Manufacturing Systems: A Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability 2021, Vol. 13, Page 5495, 13(10), 5495. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU13105495
5. Anthopoulos, L. G. (2015). Understanding the Smart City Domain: A Literature Review. Public Administration and Information Technology, 8, 9–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03167-5_2/TABLES/4
6. Babapourdijojin, M., Corazza, M. V., & Gentile, G. (2024). Systematic Analysis of Commuting Behavior in Italy Using K-Means Clustering and Spatial Analysis: Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Transport Solutions. Future Transportation 2024, Vol. 4, Pages 1430-1456, 4(4), 1430–1456. https://doi.org/10.3390/FUTURETRANSP4040069
7. Balica, R. Ștefania, & Cuțitoi, A. C. (2022). Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Smart Mobility Technologies: Autonomous Driving Algorithms, Geospatial Data Mining Tools, and Ambient Sound Recognition Software. Contemporary Readings in Law and Social Justice, 14(2), 64–81. https://doi.org/10.22381/CRLSJ14220224
8. Batty, M. (2013). The New Science of Cities. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, USA.
9. Borhani, A., Borhani, A., Dossick, C. S., & Jupp, J. (2022). Smart Building Conceptualization: A Comparative Analysis of Literature and Standards. Construction Research Congress 2022: Infrastructure Sustainability and Resilience - Selected Papers from Construction Research Congress 2022, 1-A, 310–318. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483954.032
10. Braun, T., Fung, B. C. M., Iqbal, F., & Shah, B. (2018). Security and privacy challenges in smart cities. Sustainable Cities and Society, 39, 499–507. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCS.2018.02.039
11. Brčić, D., Slavulj, M., Šojat, D., & Jurak, J. (2018). The Role of Smart Mobility in Smart Cities. Road and Rail Infrastructure V, 5, 1601–1606. https://doi.org/10.5592/co/cetra.2018.812
12. Bruzzone, M., Dameri, R. P., & Demartini, P. (2021). Resilience Reporting for Sustainable Development in Cities. Sustainability 2021, Vol. 13, Page 7824, 13(14), 7824. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU13147824
13. Cai, M., Kassens-Noor, E., Zhao, Z., & Colbry, D. (2023). Are smart cities more sustainable? An exploratory study of 103 U.S. cities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 416, 137986. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2023.137986
14. Cavada, M., Hunt, D. V. L., & Rogers, C. D. F. (2016). Do smart cities realise their potential for lower carbon dioxide emissions? Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Engineering Sustainability, 169(6), 243–252. https://doi.org/10.1680/JENSU.15.00032
15. De Bem Machado, A., Dos Santos, J. R., Sacavém, A., & Sousa, M. J. (2023). Digital transformation: Management of smart cities. In Smart Cities and Digital Transformation: Empowering Communities, Limitless Innovation, Sustainable Development and the Next Generation (pp. 59–83). Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80455-994-920231004
16. De Jong, M., Joss, S., Schraven, D., Zhan, C., & Weijnen, M. (2015). Sustainable–smart–resilient–low carbon–eco–knowledge cities; making sense of a multitude of concepts promoting sustainable urbanization. Journal of Cleaner Production, 109, 25–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2015.02.004
17. Eldafrawi, M., Varghese, K. K., Afsari, M., Babapourdijojin, M., & Gentile, G. (2024). Machine Learning-Enhanced Conformal Prediction Approach for Road Traffic Accident Severity Assessment: A Case Study of Rome. https://doi.org/10.2139/SSRN.4679159
18. Esfandi, S., Tayebi, S., Byrne, J., Taminiau, J., Giyahchi, G., & Alavi, S. A. (2024). Smart Cities and Urban Energy Planning: An Advanced Review of Promises and Challenges. In Smart Cities (Vol. 7, Issue 1, pp. 414–444). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities7010016
19. Gazzola, P., Del Campo, A. G., & Onyango, V. (2019). Going green vs going smart for sustainable development: Quo vadis? Journal of Cleaner Production, 214, 881–892. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2018.12.234
20. Gehl, J. (2013). Cities for People. Island Press, Washington DC, USA.
21. Gjorgievski, V. Z., Markovska, N., Mathiesen, B. V., & Duić, N. (2022). Smart energy demand for the sustainable development of energy, water and environment systems. Smart Energy, 8, 100091. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SEGY.2022.100091
22. Gonzalez Venegas, F., Petit, M., & Perez, Y. (2021). Active integration of electric vehicles into distribution grids: Barriers and frameworks for flexibility services. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 145, 111060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111060
23. Govada, S. S., Spruijt, W., & Rodgers, T. (2017). Smart City Concept and Framework. Advances in 21st Century Human Settlements, 187–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1610-3_7
24. Gürdür Broo, D., Bravo-Haro, M., & Schooling, J. (2022). Design and implementation of a smart infrastructure digital twin. Automation in Construction, 136, 104171. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AUTCON.2022.104171
25. Han, M. J. N., & Kim, M. J. (2024). A systematic review of smart city research from an urban context perspective. Cities, 150, 105027. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CITIES.2024.105027
26. Haydari, A., & Yilmaz, Y. (2022). Deep Reinforcement Learning for Intelligent Transportation Systems: A Survey. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 23(1), 11–32. https://doi.org/10.1109/TITS.2020.3008612
27. Hurlimann, A., Moosavi, S., & Browne, G. R. (2021). Urban planning policy must do more to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation actions. Land Use Policy, 101, 105188. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.LANDUSEPOL.2020.105188
28. Javed, A. R., Shahzad, F., Rehman, S. ur, Zikria, Y. Bin, Razzak, I., Jalil, Z., & Xu, G. (2022). Future smart cities requirements, emerging technologies, applications, challenges, and future aspects. Cities, 129. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CITIES.2022.103794
29. Jiang, H. (2021). Smart urban governance in the ‘smart’ era: Why is it urgently needed? Cities, 111, 103004. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CITIES.2020.103004
30. Kondiba, V., & Kothalanka, A. (2023). Smart City Sustainability Based on IoT Technologies and Applications. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, 363, 323–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4717-1_30
31. Lee, J., Babcock, J., Pham, T. S., Bui, T. H., & Kang, M. (2023). Smart city as a social transition towards inclusive development through technology: a tale of four smart cities. International Journal of Urban Sciences, 27(S1), 75–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/12265934.2022.2074076
32. Meng, X., & Zhu, L. (2024). Augmenting cybersecurity in smart urban energy systems through IoT and blockchain technology within the Digital Twin framework. Sustainable Cities and Society, 106, 105336. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SCS.2024.105336
33. Onyango, V., Forghaniallahabadi, M., & Gazzola, P. (2025). Singing from the Same Hymn Sheet? A Semantic and Convergence Analysis of the Extent to Which ‘Smart’ is Similarly Understood and Applied Across Energy, Transport, and Waste Management Sectors of Urban Planning. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 21(8), 120–120. https://doi.org/10.19044/ESJ.2025.V21N8P120
34. Pacheco, J., & Hariri, S. (2016). IoT security framework for smart cyber infrastructures. Proceedings - IEEE 1st International Workshops on Foundations and Applications of Self-Systems, FAS-W 2016, 242–247. https://doi.org/10.1109/FAS-W.2016.58
35. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., & Moher, D. (2020). Mapping of reporting guidance for systematic reviews and meta-analyses generated a comprehensive item bank for future reporting guidelines. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 118, 60–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLINEPI.2019.11.010
36. Russo, A. (2025). Towards Nature-Positive Smart Cities: Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Ecology. Smart Cities 2025, Vol. 8, Page 26, 8(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/SMARTCITIES8010026
Published
2025-05-31
How to Cite
Onyango, V., Forghaniallahabadi, M., Costa Santos, S., & Gazzola, P. (2025). Sectoral Interconnectedness: insights from five sectors in ‘smart’ urban planning (Energy, Transport, Waste Management, Buildings, and Cities). European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 21(13), 23. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2025.v21n13p23
Section
ESJ Social Sciences
Copyright (c) 2025 Vincent Onyango, Maryam Forghaniallahabadi, Sandra Costa Santos, Paola Gazzola
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
