A Review of the Theory and Practice of Smart City Construction in China

Abstract

The construction of smart cities is an imperative trend for high-quality urban development and represents a crucial solution to various problems that afflict urbanization, such as population growth pressure, resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and economic frailty. To create a smart city, it is essential to gain a profound understanding of the evolution and experiences of urban development and have a clear grasp of the concept, emphasis, and developmental trajectory of smart cities. However, previous research and theoretical frameworks have mainly focused on the digital transformation of cities, the application of new generation information technologies, and the comprehensive intelligence of cities, neglecting the fundamental positioning and value of cities, which is the people’s central position and pursuit of happiness. This has led to many situations where intelligence is pursued for the sake of intelligence, resulting in inefficient use and allocation of resources. This paper puts forth a framework for the three generations of smart city construction and their meanings at the conceptual level, conducts an in-depth analysis of the development process and challenges of smart cities in China, and provides suggestions for improvement.