Smart Cities Development in the Context of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected urban communities, generating the need for various strategies offered by the governments. This paper aims to explore the situation of smart cities in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, focusing on COVID-19 nonpharmaceutical interventions and COVID-19 impact on smart city development. The research is based on an exploratory study and analysis without setting a systematic literature review. The suggested findings are based on expertise in collecting, processing, and analyzing data from different sources. They emphasize the importance of advanced technology, innovation, and collaboration between citizens, public and private entities. Some smart cities adapted their advanced technology and non-pharmaceutical interventions for an efficient response against the COVID-19 pandemic, while others presented a slow response. Smart city projects involve collective learning processes and innovation for a long-term horizon for urban growth. The critical factors in the development of the smart cities market include the growth of urbanization to generate the adoption of various solutions referring to efficient management, demand for fast transport, public safety, a healthy environment, and efficient energy consumption. The paper represents a good source of information for governments, scholars, and researchers. By reviewing the paper, solutions to improve citizens’ quality of life could be taken.