  Smart cities that make broad use of digital technologies have been touted as
possible solutions for the population pressures faced by many cities in
developing countries and may help meet the rising demand for services and
infrastructure. Nevertheless, the high financial cost involved in
infrastructure maintenance, the substantial size of the informal economies, and
various governance challenges are curtailing government idealism regarding
smart cities. This review examines the state of smart city development in
developing countries, which includes understanding the conceptualisations,
motivations, and unique drivers behind (and barriers to) smarty city
development. A total of 56 studies were identified from a systematic literature
review from an initial pool of 3928 social sciences literature identified from
two academic databases. Data were analysed using thematic synthesis and
thematic analysis. The review found that technology-enabled smart cities in
developing countries can only be realised when concurrent socioeconomic, human,
legal, and regulatory reforms are instituted. Governments need to step up their
efforts to fulfil the basic infrastructure needs of citizens, raise more
revenue, construct clear regulatory frameworks to mitigate the technological
risks involved, develop human capital, ensure digital inclusivity, and promote
environmental sustainability. A supportive ecosystem that encourages citizen
participation, nurtures start-ups, and promotes public-private partnerships
needs to be created to realise their smart city vision.
