Development potential of Chinese smart cities and its spatio‐temporal pattern: A new hybrid MADM method using combination weight

Abstract

Taking advantage of information communication technology, a smart city is a city that has its critical urban infrastructure upgraded to optimise resources allocation and maintenance activities. It serves as a new technology‐based solution to mitigate urban diseases and to improve urban development in China. However, unbalanced and uncoordinated smart city development potential (SCDP) would impede the future construction of the smart city. Consequently, this study aims to measure SCDP and further examine the equality of its spatial distribution in China. In this regard, a brand‐new hybrid multiple attribute decision‐making (MADM) model is proposed to evaluate SCDP. Subsequently, a series of spatial analyses are introduced to uncover the spatial differentiation of SCDP. The results suggest that (a) overall SCDP in China has a continuous upward tendency, and the SCDP compositions of six subsystems contribute variously; (b) over time high‐SCDP cities agglomerated in the east, whereas most of the low‐SCDP cities clustered in the west. This feature indicates that SCDP in China is unevenly distributed; (c) high‐SCDP cities preferred to cooperate in coordinated efforts rather than develop independently. This study makes new contributions to smart city development research in terms of methodology and empirical evidence.

Smart innovations for sustainable cities: Insights from a public‐private innovation ecosystem

“…The smart approach goes beyond focusing on ICTs to, necessarily, adapt to the needs and expectations of individual citizens and the urban community as a whole (Cambra-Fierro & Pérez, 2022;Carvalho et al, 2018;Chu et al, 2022). A genuine concern for the quality of life of residents in terms of opportunities and social/economic/environmental development should also be present (Carvalho et al, 2019).…”

“…Urban concentration can boost the efficiency of certain public services like education and healthcare, while serving as a focal point for attracting talent and public/private investment. Yet, concentration also poses mobility, pollution and marginality challenges-generating social inequality and negatively impacting urban areas (Chu et al, 2022). This situation underscores the need for city planners and managers to reflect on which economic/social/environmental policies and implementation strategies are most effective toward guaranteeing sustainability-hence, in terms of fostering quality of life for citizens (Carvalho et al, 2019); in other words, the need for CSR of public administrations and authorities.…”

“…In such a context, the smart city concept is gaining prominence in academic and public/private management spheres alike (e.g., Carvalho et al, 2018; Chu et al, 2022; Doherty et al, 2018; Javed et al, 2022; Silva et al, 2018). The literature traces the term back to the 1990s—used to refer to cities harnessing new technologies to streamline infrastructure design and management (Hamalainen, 2019).…”

“…The literature traces the term back to the 1990s—used to refer to cities harnessing new technologies to streamline infrastructure design and management (Hamalainen, 2019). The evolution of the concept, however, suggests that smart approaches should go beyond focusing on ICTs to necessarily include tailoring to the needs/expectations of citizens and other stakeholders like firms and institutions (Cambra‐Fierro & Pérez, 2022; Carvalho et al, 2018; Chu et al, 2022; Riggieri et al, 2021). One key aspect acquiring greater relevance in the smartization process, therefore, is concern for the quality of life and well‐being of citizens in terms of opportunities and economic, social, and environmental development (Carvalho et al, 2019).…”

Does real estate bubble affect corporate innovation? Evidence from China

“…In contrast, a combined evaluation model is considered a workable solution to address this issue. Therefore, this study proposes a new combination evaluation model based on closeness degree -GWA operator combination measurement model based on closeness, to improve the scientific rationality of the evaluation [28][29][30][31].…”