Diversified development paths of smart cities

Abstract This chapter makes a comparison of case studies in order to draw out similarities, differences, and contradictions. It begins by asserting that the ideological era, neoliberalism, in which smart cities are developing, has inevitably influenced their discourse. It then considers the scope of smart city projects from technological perspectives, institutional perspectives, problem-solving perspectives, including natural disasters, energy alternatives, and the Sustainable Development Goals, the comprehensive approach, planning system perspectives and finally, social issues in terms of both equity and uneven geographical outcomes.