Challenges for sustainable smart city development: A conceptual framework

Abstract Sustainable smart city development experience various challenges, such as legislation and policies, funding, infrastructure, and technological aspects. Numerous studies have highlighted the importance of sustainability concepts in smart cities' development. However, there is scarce research focusing on the challenges faced for the development of sustainable smart cities. This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework that provides critical challenges faced by private and government organisations, and the respective solutions of the challenges for the development of sustainable smart cities. Pakistan has been chosen as a case study that yields a total of 17 respondents from the executive, managerial, and operational levels of private enterprises and government organisations involved in smart city development. This research is a preliminary step towards providing insights and significance of infusing sustainability in the development of smart cities. The proposed conceptual framework can act as a practise guideline for practitioners to prepare themselves for sustainable smart city development.