Extended Abstract
Introduction
Smart cities have emerged as an innovative solution for optimal resource management and improving the quality of life. They leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and 5G networks to optimize urban services, enhance efficiency, and ensure more equitable resource distribution, thereby reducing spatial inequalities.
The main objective of this study was to identify and prioritize the most significant emerging technologies affecting smart city development and to analyze the level of expert consensus regarding their importance and adoption feasibility in urban management.
Materials and Methods
 This research is applied in nature and follows a descriptive-analytical approach. A two-round fuzzy Delphi method was implemented: initially, questionnaires were distributed to 30 experts in urban technologies, and the collected data were analyzed. Subsequently, the coefficient of variation and fuzzy techniques were used to assess and consolidate the level of expert agreement.
Findings and Discussion
The findings indicate that AI and big data achieved the highest consensus and positive impact on improving urban decision-making, optimizing energy consumption, and enhancing service quality. Although IoT has high potential, it faces challenges due to the lack of unified technical standards and insufficient security infrastructure, which placed some IoT-related indicators at the threshold of acceptance. Meanwhile, 5G, as a key communication infrastructure, plays a crucial role in crisis management, intelligent transportation, and remote healthcare services.
Conclusion
These results highlight that realizing smart cities requires the standardization of IoT, the development of 5G infrastructure, and strategic investment in emerging technologies. Future research is recommended to adopt a systematic and comparative approach, focusing on technology localization, tailored policy frameworks, and exploring the social and cultural dimensions of technology implementation in diverse urban contexts.