Policy frameworks for emerging economies sustainable smart city development: The adoption of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things for the revolutionisation of urban infrastructure

African Journal of Career Development

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Policy frameworks for emerging economies sustainable smart city development: The adoption of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things for the revolutionisation of urban infrastructure
 
Creator Mukhithi, Avrill Malungana, Lario Phahlane, Mampilo
 
Subject Governance artificial intelligence; emerging economies; governance; Internet of Things; smart cities
Description Background: Innovative urban development techniques are required in emerging economies because of the increased urbanisation, infrastructure deficiencies and environmental difficulties they face. With artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) support, smart cities may improve governance and optimise resource use, all of which contribute to sustainable growth.Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine how policy frameworks driven by AI and IoT may facilitate adaptive and sustainable urban infrastructure in developing nations such as South Africa.Methods: In this study, a range of articles from the Science Direct, Scopus and Sabinet databases were consulted using the systematic literature review approach. Additionally, the inclusion and exclusion criteria are based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses framework.Results: Findings suggest that developing countries should create integrated frameworks for smart cities that match local implementation capabilities with national vision, to fill financial shortfalls, creative financing methods like technology-specific Public Private Partnership models and municipal funding need to be expanded.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that successful integration of AI and IoT into urban planning requires a fundamental change requiring strong, flexible policy frameworks rather than just a technology advancement. Such frameworks are crucial for emerging economies to use these technologies for sustainable and equitable infrastructure, guaranteeing that the development of smart cities promotes inclusive growth and long-term resilience.Contribution: This article adds to the conversation on sustainable urban development by putting out a thorough policy framework that uses both applications to improve adaptable infrastructure in smart cities in emerging economies.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor UNISA
Date 2026-01-22
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Systematic literature review
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/ajcd.v8i1.181
 
Source African Journal of Career Development; Vol 8, No 1 (2026); 9 pages 2617-7471 2709-7420
 
Language eng
 
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The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://ajcd.africa/index.php/ajcd/article/view/181/774 https://ajcd.africa/index.php/ajcd/article/view/181/775 https://ajcd.africa/index.php/ajcd/article/view/181/776 https://ajcd.africa/index.php/ajcd/article/view/181/777
 
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Rights Copyright (c) 2026 Avrill Mukhithi, Lario Malungana, Mampilo Phahlane https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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