Smart city technologies for apartment complexes in South Korea: expert prioritization and expected utility evaluation

This study investigates the prioritization and expected utility of smart city technologies in apartment complexes in South Korea, where more than 60% of the population resides in apartment complexes. Sixteen key technologies across four domains – smart mobility and parking, smart environment and energy, smart safety, and smart welfare – are selected based on a comprehensive literature review and apartment complex characteristics. A panel of 22 experts from academia and industry evaluates their importance and utility. An integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach is employed to determine prioritization and assess expected utility across three scenarios: asset value enhancement, high-tech housing, and residential satisfaction. Findings indicate that smart environment and energy, along with smart safety, are the most important domains for deploying smart technologies in apartment complexes in South Korea Key technologies include zero-energy buildings, disaster safety systems, smart parking control, and AI-based housing services. This study provides critical insights for architectural planners and service providers to effectively guide the deployment and management of smart city technologies in residential settings within the South Korean context and in comparable international settings.