Environmentally sustainable smart cities and their converging AI, IoT, and big data technologies and solutions: an integrated approach to an extensive literature review

May combine two claims.

Review studies on environmentally sustainable smart cities had tended to be limited until more recently compared to environmentally smart sustainable cities, which have gained popularity and become widely accepted since the mid-2010s.

“Indeed, they had tended to be limited until more recently compared to environmentally smart sustainable cities, which have gained popularity and become widely accepted since the mid-2010s.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

There is a scarcity of evidence of the convergence of AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies and solutions for environmental sustainability and climate change in the context of smart cities.

“adding to the scarcity of evidence of the convergence of AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies and solutions for environmental sustainability and climate change in the context of smart cities.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Web of Science database and the developed search string comprehensively capture the relevant scholarly literature on environmentally sustainable smart cities.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Bibliometric publication counts and term co-occurrence patterns validly indicate research trends and thematic evolution in the field.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Research on the knowledge structure and trends of environmentally sustainable smart cities over different time periods remains very scant.

“In addition, research on the knowledge structure and trends of environmentally sustainable smart cities over different time periods remains very scant”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Web of Science database and the developed search string comprehensively capture the relevant scholarly literature on environmentally sustainable smart cities.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Bibliometric publication counts and term co-occurrence patterns validly indicate research trends and thematic evolution in the field.

May combine two claims.

The second period (2016-2019) marked the widespread popularization of the notion of smart sustainable/sustainable smart cities and subsequently the emergence of the early practical initiatives of both paradigms of urbanism in light of the merger of the landscapes of smart cities and sustainable cities.

“the second period (2016–2019) marked the widespread popularization of the notion of smart sustainable/sustainable smart cities and subsequently the emergence of the early practical initiatives of both paradigms of urbanism in light of the merger of the landscapes of smart cities and sustainable cities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

There was an unprecedented upsurge in research in the field of smart cities and their advanced technologies, namely IoT, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, sensor, and WSN.

“there was an unprecedented upsurge in research in the field of smart cities and their advanced technologies, namely IoT, Big Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, sensor, and WSN.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The number of publications on smart sustainable cities skyrocketed between 2015 and 2021.

“the number of publications that skyrocket between 2015 and 2021”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The period 1991-2015 marked the launch of many different specialized and interdisciplinary international journals on the topic of smart cities and their scientific, technological, and environmental research strands.

“This period marked the launch of many different specialized and interdisciplinary international journals on the topic of smart cities and their scientific, technological, and environmental research strands.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The publications are categorized into four distinct clusters: Green (environmental impacts and sustainability), Red (data-driven technologies and solutions for environmental sustainability), Yellow (technological infrastructures and systems), and Blue (broad issues of smart and sustainable cities).

“The Green cluster comprises publications focusing on issues related to environmental impacts, environmental sustainability, climate change, air pollution and quality, water resources, green infrastructure, ecosystem services, urbanization, land use, and so on.”

• Also stated in: § Thematic focus areas and their transition toward environmentally sustainable smart cities · hedged

  “The Red cluster consists of publications targeting the implementation of the data-driven technologies and solutions of smart cities that could have positive impacts on environmental sustainability”

• Also stated in: § Thematic focus areas and their transition toward environmentally sustainable smart cities · plain

  “The Yellow cluster represents publications covering the underlying technological infrastructures, architectures, platforms, systems, models, and networks of smart cities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The third period (2020-2021) coincided with the outbreak of COVID-19.

“Figure 6 depicts the findings for the third period (2020–2021), which coincided with the outbreak of COVID-19.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The notion of sustainable development has, since the early 1990s, motivated scholars and practitioners to devise more integrated and holistic frameworks for urban development that can address environmental sustainability challenges through enhancing performance of urban systems, connecting urban infrastructures, coordinating urban domains, and revitalizing underdeveloped areas.

“In particular, the notion of sustainable development has, since the early 1990s, motivated scholars and practitioners to device more integrated and holistic frameworks for urban development that can rise up to the challenges of environmental sustainability head on through enhancing the performance of urban systems, connecting urban infrastructures, coordinating urban domains, and revitalizing unde”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

There is ambiguity on how AI may specifically contribute to environmental sustainability in the realm of smart cities.

“In fact, there is ambiguity on how AI may specifically contribute to environmental sustainability in the realm of smart cities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The second period marked the materialization of sustainable smart cities and a few related integrated models of urbanism in light of the advancement of IoT and Big Data technologies and solutions.

“The second period marked the materialization of sustainable smart cities and a few related integrated models of urbanism in light of the advancement of the IoT and Big Data technologies and solutions.”

May combine two claims.

The third period (2020-2021) witnessed a marked intensification of the adoption of AI or AIoT technologies and solutions in smart cities and the emergence of several integrated models under the umbrella term of environmentally sustainable smart cities.

“The third period witnessed a marked intensification of the adoption of AI or AIoT technologies and solutions in smart cities and thus the emergence of several integrated models under the umbrella term of environmentally sustainable smart cities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The digital transformation of urban societies intensified by COVID-19 and accelerated by the adoption of AI or AIoT solutions for environmental sustainability and climate change during the third period was largely perceived to dramatically change how natural resources could be regulated and managed to prevent environmental problems in the context of smart cities.

“Concerning the environment, the digital transformation of urban societies intensified by COVID-19 and accelerated by the adoption of AI or AIoT solutions for environmental sustainability and climate change during the third period were largely perceived to dramatically change how natural resources could be regulated and managed to prevent environmental problems in the context of smart cities.”

May combine two claims.

ANN, Deep Neural Network (DNN), SVM, GA, LR, and DT are among the prominent AI techniques that gained strong traction in recent years, as are ML, DL, and cognitive AI models in relation to the planning and development of smart cities.

“As consistent with the findings for the second and third periods, ANN, Deep Neural Network (DNN), SVM, GA, LR, and DT are among the prominent AI techniques that gained strong traction in recent years (Şerban and Lytras 2020; Shrestha and Mahmood 2019), so are ML, DL, and cognitive AI models in relation to the planning and development of smart cities (Kamrowska-Załuska 2021; Şerban and Lytras 2020”

• cites Şerban and Lytras 2020 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Shrestha and Mahmood 2019 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Kamrowska-Załuska 2021 sourceNot checked yet

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May combine two claims.

The third period heralded the emergence of environmentally sustainable smart cities and several related integrated models of urbanism under different labels due mainly to the convergence of AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies and its consequential datafied, algorithmized, and platformized penetrative patterns.

“The third period heralded the emergence of environmentally sustainable smart cities and several related integrated models of urbanism under different labels—due mainly to the convergence of AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies and its consequential datafied, algorithmized, and platformized penetrative patterns.”

May combine two claims.

The research areas include energy conservation and renewable energy, sustainable transportation, water resources conservation, waste management, biodiversity and ecosystem services, pollution control, climate mitigation and scenario analysis, and disaster resilience and management.

“The research areas include energy conservation and renewable energy, sustainable transportation, water resources conservation, waste management, biodiversity and ecosystem services, pollution control, climate mitigation and scenario analysis, and disaster resilience and management.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Academic interest in the topic of smart sustainable cities started to increase around 2014 to 2016, grew exponentially in 2017, and evolved rapidly afterwards.

“Academic interest in the topic of smart sustainable cities started to increase around 2014 to 2016, grew exponentially in 2017, and evolved rapidly afterwards.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

AI or AIoT systems were massively deployed across smart cities to trial new modus operandi for learning, adaptation, and network effect purposes, as well as to test and institute new public health and environmental reforms through knowledge and policy networks.

“In parallel, AI or AIoT systems were massively deployed across smart cities to trial new modus operandi for learning, adaptation, and network effect purposes, as well as to test and institute new public health and environmental reforms through knowledge and policy networks.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Smart cities and sustainable cities graphically moved closer to one another compared to the second period, signalizing the materializing patterns of environmentally sustainable smart cities.

“smart cities and sustainable cities graphically moved closer to one another compared to the second period, signalizing the materializing patterns of environmentally sustainable smart cities.”

May combine two claims.

The increasing criticism of the fragmentation of smart cities and sustainable cities, the diffusion of the SDGs agenda, and the recent dominance of advanced ICT have significantly impacted the materialization of environmentally sustainable smart cities, thereby influencing the landscape and dynamics of smart cities.

“The evidence synthesized indicated that the increasing criticism of the fragmentation of smart cities and sustainable cities, the diffusion of the SDGs agenda, and the recent dominance of advanced ICT have significantly impacted the materialization of environmentally sustainable smart cities, thereby influencing the landscape and dynamics of smart cities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The world has recently experienced unprecedented challenges and increased uncertainties, making it more challenging for smart cities to improve their environmental efficiency and to contribute to actual progress toward reaching the environmental targets of the SDG 11.

“The world has recently experienced unprecedented challenges and increased uncertainties, making it more challenging for smart cities to improve their environmental efficiency and to contribute to actual progress toward reaching the environmental targets of the SDG 11.”

May combine two claims.

Data privacy has been long and extensively debated in legislatures, resulting in data protection oversight agencies and a modest level of jurisprudence, while provisions facilitating all forms of digital surveillance are voluminous.

“Data privacy has been long and extensively debated in legislatures, resulting in “data protection oversight agencies and a modest level of jurisprudence,” while provisions facilitating all forms of digital surveillance are voluminous (Clarke and Greenleaf 2017).”

• cites Clarke and Greenleaf 2017 sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The converging data-driven technologies involve environmental costs and pose ethical risks and special regulatory conundrums.

“However, the converging data-driven technologies involve environmental costs and pose ethical risks and special regulatory conundrums.”

May combine two claims.

The ethical risks of AI include privacy, security, trust, bias, unfairness, lack of transparency, and social inequality.

“They include privacy, security, trust, bias, unfairness, lack of transparency, and social inequality (Ahmad et al. 2020; Chen et al. 2020; Hoffmann 2019; Larsson and Heintz 2020; Yigitcanlar et al. 2020).”

• cites Ahmad et al. 2020Not checked yet

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• cites Chen et al. 2020 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Hoffmann 2019 sourceNot checked yet

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May combine two claims.

While the overall priority research topics have been dynamic over time, some AI models and techniques and environmental sustainability areas have received more attention than others.

“The analysis also revealed that while the overall priority research topics have been dynamic over time—some AI models and techniques and environmental sustainability areas have received more attention than others.”

May combine two claims.

Privacy, cybersecurity, and trust issues have been extensively debated in relation to IoT, and most of the technological safeguards developed to mitigate them have failed and are likely to continue to fail due to inherent flaws.

“Moreover, privacy, cybersecurity, and trust issues have been extensively debated in relation to IoT, and most of the technological safeguards developed to mitigate them have failed (Bibri 2015)and are likely to continue to fail due to inherent flaws.”

• cites Bibri 2015Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Most of these ethical issues are at the core of Explainable AI (XAI), which is one of the most heavily debated topics when it comes to application of AI in smart cities.

“Most of these issues are at the core of Explainable AI (XAI), which is one of the most heavily debated topics when it comes to the application of AI in smart cities.”

May combine two claims.

Environmentally sustainable smart cities are a rapidly growing trend that markedly escalated during the second and third periods due to the acceleration of digitalization and decarbonization agendas, thanks to COVID-19 and the rapid advancement of data-driven technologies.

“The results showed that environmentally sustainable smart cities are a rapidly growing trend that markedly escalated during the second and third periods—due to the acceleration of the digitalization and decarbonization agendas—thanks to COVID-19 and the rapid advancement of data-driven technologies.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Those factors have influenced the landscape and dynamics of smart cities.

“thereby influencing the landscape and dynamics of smart cities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

AI is enshrined in public discourses as having positive connotations, while its environmental costs are often overlooked.

“However, AI is enshrined in public discourses as having positive connotations, while its environmental costs are often overlooked.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The Web of Science is reputable and has a track record of indexing high-quality peer-reviewed studies related to the topic and comprehensive bibliographic data.

“The rationale for selecting WoS among the available pool of academic research databases lies in its reputability in regard to its track record of indexing high-quality peer-reviewed studies related to the topic on focus and related comprehensive bibliographic data.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Emerging sustainable smart cities are increasingly leveraging collective expertise in AI, IoT, and Big Data under AIoT in developing innovative, immediate, and powerful solutions in the pursuit of environmental sustainability.

“emerging sustainable smart cities are increasingly leveraging the collective expertise in AI, IoT, and Big Data—under AIoT—in developing innovative, immediate, and powerful solutions in the pursuit of environmental sustainability.”

• cites IPCC 2021Not checked yet

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• cites UNFCCC 2021Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Smart sustainable/sustainable smart cities are relatively new urban phenomena whose emergence has resulted from the convergence of intertwined societal factors and technological trends, notably the rise of urbanization, the diffusion of sustainability, the dominance of ICT, and the shift in science and technology (big data science and analytics).

“Smart sustainable/sustainable smart cities are relatively new urban phenomena whose emergence has resulted from the convergence of a set of intertwined societal factors and technological trends, notably the rise of urbanization, the diffusion of sustainability, the dominance of ICT, and the shift in science and technology (big data science and analytics).”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The integration of bibliometric analysis and evidence synthesis is the main added value of this work.

“In terms of contribution, the integration of bibliometric analysis and evidence synthesis is the main added value of this work”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

These forces shape and reshape the insertion, functioning, expansion, and continuation of smart sustainable/sustainable smart cities as currently predominant paradigms of urbanism.

“These congeries of forces also shape and reshape their insertion, functioning, expansion, and continuation as currently predominant paradigms of urbanism.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Combining bibliometric analysis and evidence synthesis produces a synergistic effect and an enhanced outcome greater than the sum otherwise achieved by each method if applied separately.

“The latter informs and expends on the former, which in turn frames and guides the latter, thereby producing a synergistic effect and an enhanced outcome—greater than the sum otherwise achieved by each of these methods if applied separately.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies involve environmental costs and pose ethical risks and regulatory conundrums.

“However, these technologies involve environmental costs and pose ethical risks and regulatory conundrums.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The evidence synthesis of heterogeneous studies can produce valid conclusions about the field.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

This comprehensive interdisciplinary review is the first of its kind with respect to combining smart cities, sustainable cities, environmental sustainability, and data-driven technologies as advanced forms of ICT.

“This comprehensive interdisciplinary review is the first of its kind with respect to combining smart cities, sustainable cities, environmental sustainability, and data-driven technologies as advanced forms of ICT.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The Web of Science database and the developed search string comprehensively capture the relevant scholarly literature on environmentally sustainable smart cities.
• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Bibliometric publication counts and term co-occurrence patterns validly indicate research trends and thematic evolution in the field.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Sustainable cities, especially eco-cities, have over the last four decades been the central paradigm of sustainable urban development.

“This is justified by the fact that sustainable cities (especially eco-cities) have, over the last four decades, been the central paradigm of sustainable urban development (Bibri 2021a, 2021b).”

• cites Bibri 2021aNot checked yet

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• cites Bibri 2021bNot checked yet

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The paradigm of environmentally sustainable smart cities is gaining momentum and evolving into a scholarly enterprise thanks to the integration of the core enabling technologies of smart cities, namely AI, IoT, Big Data, and Blockchain, as well as WSN, Edge Computing, Digital Twins, and cyber-physical systems.

“This paradigm of urbanism is gaining momentum and hence evolving into a scholarly enterprise thanks to the integration of the core enabling technologies of smart cities, namely AI, IoT, Big Data, and Blockchain, as well as Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), Edge Computing, Digital Twins (DT), and cyber-physical systems.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

More advanced AI models and techniques are needed to augment existing ICT solutions with new capabilities for environmental sustainability.

“Indeed, the more advanced AI models and techniques are needed to augment existing ICTs solutions with new capabilities in this regard.”

May combine two claims.

Data-driven smart cities are a new phenomenon where urban data are mostly collected via connected IoT devices and analyzed using advanced AI models and techniques.

“This has given rise to a new phenomenon known as data-driven smart cities (Dornhöfer et al. 2019; Kaluarachchi 2022; Kühne and Heidel 2021; Nelson and Neguriță, 2020; Sutherland and Cook 2017), where urban data are mostly collected via the connected IoT devices and analyzed using advanced AI models and techniques.”

• cites Dornhöfer et al. 2019Not checked yet

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• cites Kaluarachchi 2022 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Kühne and Heidel 2021Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Environmental sustainability will come to the fore in smart cities in the upcoming years.

“As regards smart cities, (Stübinger and Schneider 2020) reveal in a data-driven systemic review that environmental sustainability will come to the fore in smart cities in the upcoming years”

• cites Stübinger and Schneider 2020 sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

The highest number of publications in 2016-2017 was due to the global response to the SDGs agenda and especially SDG 11, increasing criticisms of the fragmentation of smart cities and sustainable cities, and rapid advancement of ICT (especially AI/ML, IoT, and Big Data).

“These include the global response to the SDGs agenda and especially the SDG 11, the increasing criticisms of the fragmentation of smart cities and sustainable cities, and the rapid advancement of ICT (especially AI/ML, IoT, and Big Data).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The slight decrease in the number of publications during 2020-2021 could be attributed to the effects of COVID-19 on scholarly research activities in the field.

“The slight decrease in the number of publications during the period 2020–2021 could be attributed to the effects of COVID-19 on the scholarly research activities in the field and thus the published works.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The increasing importance of minimizing the required input of energy, waste, and water, as well as the heat and air pollution output, confirms the current trend of environmental sustainability coming to the fore in smart cities.

“confirming the current trend due to the increasing importance of minimizing the required input of energy, waste, and water, as well as the heat and air pollution output.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The convergence under AIoT entails that AI-based models and IoT devices collect colossal amounts of data from heterogeneous sources, which are analyzed using AI-based data analytics techniques to predict patterns and make decisions.

“Their convergence under AIoT entails that AI-based models and IoT devices collect colossal amounts of data from heterogenous sources, which are analyzed using AI-based data analytics techniques to predict patterns and make decisions.”

May combine two claims.

Existing smart cities remain disproportionately driven by economic interests and motives and thus lack the ability to address environmental (and social) concerns.

“existing smart cities remain disproportionately driven by economic interests and motives and thus lack the ability to address environmental (and social) concerns”

• cites Bina et al. 2020 sourceNot checked yet

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• cites Cugurullo 2018Not checked yet

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• cites Datta 2018 sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The essence of environmentally sustainable smart cities lies in increasing and sustaining the contribution of smart cities to the goals of environmental sustainability thanks to the convergence of their IoT, Big Data, and AI technologies and solutions.

“The essence of this paradigm of urbanism lies in increasing and sustaining the contribution of smart cities to the goals of environmental sustainability thanks to the convergence of their IoT, Big Data, and AI technologies and solutions.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The transformative processes enabled by sustainable cities have impacted the development of smart cities, including the incorporation of environmental indicators, targets, and goals in their development strategies and the integration of green technologies and sustainable design strategies with their digital and physical infrastructures.

“The transformative processes enabled by sustainable cities have impacted the development of smart cities in a variety of ways. One of which is the incorporation of environmental indicators, targets, and goals in their development strategies and the integration of green technologies and sustainable design strategies with their digital and physical infrastructures.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Urban monitoring started in the early 1990s after the development of many indicators taken from sustainable cities to address smart city initiatives.

“(Marsal-Llacuna et al. 2015) note that urban monitoring started in the early 1990s after the development of the many indicators taken from sustainable cities to address smart city initiatives.”

• cites Marsal-Llacuna et al. 2015 sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Smart cities may fail to contribute to the agenda of environmental sustainability due to the incongruence of smart city policies and CO2 emissions.

“smart cities may fail to contribute to the agenda of environmental sustainability due to the incongruence of smart city policies and CO2 emissions.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The link between advanced ICT and increasing urbanization became widely recognized in light of the report published by the United Nations on the SDGs in 2015 and its updated versions afterwards, especially SDG 11.

“Shortly afterwards, the link between advanced ICT and increasing urbanization became widely recognized in light of the report published by the United Nations on the SDGs in 2015 and its updated versions afterwards, especially SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Urban growth and ICT development are a form of symbiosis.

“(Townsend 2013) portrays urban growth and ICT development as a form of symbiosis.”

• cites Townsend 2013Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The U4SSC initiative aims to guide sustainable cities and communities to become smarter and more sustainable while accelerating their digital transformation toward achieving the SDGs.

“a global UN initiative called “the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC),” which is coordinated by UN-habitat, UNECE, and ITU and supported by a number of UN agencies and other international organizations, aim to guide sustainable cities and communities “to become smarter and more sustainable while accelerating their digital transformation” toward achieving the SDGs”

• cites ITU 2022Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

Smart cities can only badge themselves as such if there are intelligence functions that are able to integrate and synthesize data to some purpose, ways of improving the efficiency, equity, sustainability, and the quality of life in cities.

“smart cities can only badge themselves as such, “if there are intelligence functions that are able to integrate and synthesize data to some purpose, ways of improving the efficiency, equity, sustainability, and the quality of life in cities,””

• cites Batty et al. 2012 sourceNot checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The concept of smart cities was introduced in 1994.

“the concept of smart cities was introduced in 1994”

• cites Dameri and Cocchia 2013Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Current trends show that AIoT will become the predominant paradigm of urban computing and intelligence in the near future.

“Current trends show that AIoT will become the predominant paradigm of urban computing and intelligence in the near future.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The prospect that AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies will instigate massive changes in smart cities is fast becoming the new reality due to the acceleration of their digitalization and digitization.

“The prospect that AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies will instigate massive changes in smart cities is fast becoming the new reality due to the acceleration of their digitalization and digitization.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The essence of environmentally sustainable smart cities lies in leveraging the collective power and multifaceted potential of advanced technologies in making progress toward achieving the goals of environmental sustainability.

“The essence of this new paradigm of urbanism lies in leveraging the collective power and multifaceted potential of these advanced technologies in making progress toward achieving the goals of environmental sustainability.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

This shift is attributed to the unexpected changes in the research activities of scholars and scientists and the funding priorities of grant agencies-triggered by COVID-19.

“This is attributed to the unexpected changes in the research activities of scholars and scientists and the funding priorities of grant agencies—triggered by COVID-19.”

May combine two claims.

There is a risk of a mismatch between the environmental targets of smart cities and the opportunities offered by AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies, and therefore their green growth and eco-friendly design are of critical importance to mitigate such risk.

“In more detail, there is a risk of a mismatch between the environmental targets of smart cities and the opportunities offered by AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies, and therefore, their green growth and eco-friendly design are of critical importance to mitigate such risk (Bibri et al. 2023).”

• cites Bibri et al. 2023Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

AI systems can serve either to assist or replace human decision makers.

“AI systems can serve either to assist or replace the human decision makers (Duan et al. 2019).”

• cites Duan et al. 2019 sourceNot checked yet

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May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

Empirical AI research on environmental sustainability included water resources conservation based on ML using ANN, SVM, FL, ANFIS, LR, and KNN; energy conservation and renewable energy based on ML using ANN, FL, SVM, DT, ES, EC, BN, ANFIS, and pattern recognition; sustainable transportation based on ML using SVM, ANN, DT, LR, and time series models; biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services

“Empirical AI research on environmental sustainability included water resources conservation based on ML using ANN, SVM, FL, Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), LR, and Key-Nearest Neighbors (KNN); energy conservation and renewable energy based on ML using ANN, FL, SVM, DT, Evolution Strategies (ES), Evolutionary Computing (EC), Batch-Normalization (BN), ANFIS, and pattern recognition;”

• cites Bibri et al. 2023Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

AI is reshaping how IoT infrastructure operates in terms of data collection and aggregation, how big data analytics functions in terms of data management and processing, and how decision-making is performed in terms of support, automation, and autonomization.

“Being at the core of advanced analytical systems, AI is also reshaping how the IoT infrastructure operates in terms of data collection and aggregation, big data analytics functions in terms of data management and processing, and decision-making is performed in terms of support, automation, and autonomization.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

While research on the relationship between smart cities, sustainable cities, environmental sustainability, and data-driven technologies is still in its infancy, the convergence of these interlinked developments is rapidly gaining traction as a strategic approach to sustainable urban development.

“While research on the relationship between smart cities, sustainable cities, environmental sustainability, and data-driven technologies is still in its infancy, the convergence of these interlinked developments is rapidly gaining traction as a strategic approach to sustainable urban development.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

AI has empowered the analysis of vast troves of data generated via IoT infrastructure in smart cities.

“Similarly, AI has empowered the analysis of the vast troves of data generated via the IoT infrastructure in smart cities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

In recent years, ICT-based innovations have become pivotal in facilitating practical endeavors of urban sustainability and its transformative changes.

“In recent years, ICT-based innovations have undeniably become pivotal in facilitating the practical endeavors of urban sustainability and its transformative changes.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The availability of huge amounts of data in smart cities thanks to IoT offers prospects of advancing environmental sustainability through enhanced decision-making processes thanks to AI pertaining to optimal use of natural resources.

“Accordingly, the availability of huge amounts of data in smart cities thanks to IoT offers prospects of advancing environmental sustainability through enhanced decision-making processes thanks to AI pertaining to the optimal use of natural resources.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The development and implementation of environmentally sustainable smart cities will require continuous innovations in cutting-edge technologies based on projected trends for the next generation of AI, IoT, and Big Data.

“However, the development and implementation of environmentally sustainable smart cities will require continuous innovations in the so-called cutting-edge technologies based on the projected trends for the next generation of AI, IoT, and Big Data.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

During the period 2020-2021, COVID-19-related publications received 20% of all citations, and 98 of the 100 most-cited publication were associated with COVID-19.

“(Cowen 2022)found that, during the period 2020–2021, COVID-19–related publications received 20% of all citations, and 98 of the 100 most-cited publication were associated with COVID-19.”

• cites Cowen 2022Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

IoT can make use and leverage the power of AI via connectivity of devices and intelligence of data by rendering their collection more dynamic for efficient analysis.

“However, IoT can make use and leverage the power of AI via the connectivity of devices and the intelligence of data by rendering their collection more dynamic for efficient analysis.”

May combine two claims.

While advanced technologies provide new and largely expanded opportunities to better understand, handle, and prevent environmental problems, they are challenged by their environmental risks that need to be addressed and overcome.

“According to a recent review study conducted by (Bibri et al. 2023), while these advanced technologies provide new and largely expand opportunities to better understand, handle, and prevent environmental problems, they are challenged by their environmental risks that need to be addressed and overcome.”

• cites Bibri et al. 2023Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The slight difference in applied AI models and techniques between Fig. 6 and Fig. 5 could be attributed to the third period involving only two years compared to the second period which includes 4 years.

“The slight difference graphically shown in Fig. 6 regarding the applied AI models and techniques compared to Fig. 5 could be attributed to the third period involving only two years compared to the second period which includes 4 years.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

One of the main factors behind the knowledge growth in smart sustainable cities is the rapid advancement of AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies and their novel applications, in addition to the general consensus on the urgency to tackle environmental sustainability and climate change challenges.

“One of the main factors behind the knowledge growth in this area is the rapid advancement of AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies and their novel applications, in addition to the general consensus on the urgency to tackle the challenges of environmental sustainability and climate change.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The digital transformation generated by the convergence of AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies holds great potential to tackle the problematicity surrounding the planning and development of smart cities in response to decarbonization and climate change emergencies.

“The digital transformation being generated by the convergence of these innovative technologies is seen to hold great potential to tackle the problematicity surrounding the planning and development of smart cities in response to the decabornization and climate change emergencies.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The combination of data-driven IoT and AI brings new improvements to the efficiency of IoT operations and data management and analytics models, which in turn enhance decision making and how humans and machines can interact toward structuring urban computing and intelligence systems for environmentally sustainable smart cities.

“The combination of data-driven IoT and AI brings new improvements to the efficiency of IoT operations and data management and analytics models, which in turn enhance decision making and how humans and machines can interact toward structuring urban computing and intelligence systems for environmentally sustainable smart cities.”

May combine two claims.

The systems, machines, and infrastructures associated with AI deplete scarce resources in their production, consumption, and disposal, thus increasing the amounts of energy in their use, and exacerbate problems of waste and pollution.

“The systems, machines, and infrastructures associated with AI “deplete scarce resources in their production, consumption, and disposal, thus increasing the amounts of energy in their use, and exacerbate problems of waste and pollution” (Brevini 2020).”

• cites Brevini 2020 sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

AI has been enshrined in dominant narratives as the battleground for global dominance and progress, hailed as the key marker of victory, and the opportunity of the future, thereby selling it as a virtue and a public good.

“AI has been enshrined in dominant narratives as “the battleground for global dominance and progress…hailed as the key marker of victory…and the opportunity of the future—and thereby selling it as a virtue and a public good” (Brevini 2020).”

• cites Brevini 2020 sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One key limitation of the study is that it is based solely on peer-reviewed literature.

“One key limitation lies in the current study being based solely on peer-reviewed literature.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Ensuring that AI is human centered requires government interventions, and ethical standard and regular auditing are key to maintain compliance with regulatory frameworks governing the use and adoption of AI.

“Ensuring that AI is human centered requires government interventions (Mhlanga 2022), and ethical standard and regular auditing are key to maintain compliance with regulatory frameworks governing the use and adoption of AI (Truby 2020).”

• cites Mhlanga 2022 sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites Truby 2020 sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

This has, together with other global and technological factors, led to the materialization of environmentally sustainable smart cities as an umbrella term for several models of urbanism focusing mainly on the environmental dimension of sustainability.

“This has, together with other global and technological factors, led to the materialization of environmentally sustainable smart cities as an umbrella term for several models of urbanism focusing mainly on the environmental dimension of sustainability.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

This new paradigm of sustainable urban development entails integrating the data-driven technologies and solutions of smart cities and the green technologies and strategies of sustainable cities.

“This new paradigm of sustainable urban development entails integrating the data-driven technologies and solutions of smart cities and the green technologies and strategies of sustainable cities.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The field of environmentally sustainable smart cities is in its infancy and early stages of development.

“this area is in infancy research and the early stages of its development”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The field of environmentally sustainable smart cities has great potential to bring about meaningful urban transformations based on the responsible development and implementation of AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies and solutions.

“with great potential to bring about meaningful urban transformations based on the responsible development and implementation of the AI, IoT, and Big Data technologies and solutions of smart cities”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The technologies and solutions of smart cities are creating many new opportunities for better understanding, preventing, and handling environmental problems as well as enhancing decision-making processes.

“The technologies and solutions of smart cities are creating many new opportunities for better understanding, preventing, and handling environmental problems as well as enhancing decision-making processes.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

This convergence is of crucial importance to make critical urban infrastructure resource-efficient, low-emission, and resilient by making progress toward reaching the environmental targets of the SDG 11 related to energy, transport, waste, water, biodiversity, and climate.

“This convergence is of crucial importance to make critical urban infrastructure resource-efficient, low-emission, and resilient by making progress toward reaching the environmental targets of the SDG 11 related to energy, transport, waste, water, biodiversity, and climate.”