Information System and Smart City

Smart technologies have become increasingly integral to modern society, bringing many benefits and opportunities. However, they also raise important questions about their impacts on individuals, organisations, and society and how everyone can move forward smoothly in integrating and adopting technology. Therefore, this study analysed and reviewed the literature to address the questions. The study provides an overview of the potential benefits and challenges of smart technologies and applications, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, and the Internet of Things. The review also explores the key entities involved in a smart technology ecosystem, including governments, businesses, and international communities, and each entity’s unique role in developing and implementing smart technologies. Additionally, the review highlights the importance of ensuring a smooth transition to smart technologies, including the need for effective policies, regulations, and ethical considerations. The key takeaways from this review are the need to balance the benefits and opportunities of smart technologies with the challenges and risks they pose. Individuals, society, businesses and governments must play their respective roles in ensuring that smart technologies are developed, implemented, and used in ways that are responsible, ethical, and sustainable.

In the era of rapid urbanization and technological progress, smart cities offer a promising solution to multifaceted global challenges, leveraging advanced technologies to optimize resources and enhance the quality of life; however, this interconnectedness also exposes them to novel vulnerabilities, particularly in the face of natural and man-made disasters, necessitating inventive strategies to ensure resilience against cyber threats and extreme weather events. This article delves into the exploration of smart cities’ diverse aspects and the categories of disasters they face, followed by an analysis of strategic mitigation approaches and their underlying criteria; it subsequently introduces the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making methodology, particularly Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), as a robust tool for systematic evaluation and prioritization of disaster management strategies in the increasingly complex landscape. The study’s analysis of relative weights underscores the pivotal role of Resilience Enhancement and Communication Redundancy as primary considerations in evaluating disaster management strategies for smart cities, while other criteria such as Accuracy and Timeliness, Scalability and Adaptability, Cost-effectiveness, Ethical and Privacy Considerations, and Training and Skill Requirements assume varying degrees of importance in supporting roles, providing valuable insights into the decision-making process. The assessment of alternative strategies highlights their prioritization in effective disaster management for smart cities, with notable emphasis on Citizen Engagement and Education, Early Warning Systems, and data analytics; further strategies such as Integrated Communication Systems, Resilient Infrastructure Design, Drones and Robotics, Artificial Intelligence Algorithms, and IoT-enabled Sensors and Monitoring exhibit varying degrees of significance, offering insights into their roles and potential contributions to disaster management strategies based on their weighted sums. This research has practical significance, guiding stakeholders like urban planners, policymakers, and disaster management professionals to enhance smart city resilience and prioritize strategies based on critical factors, ultimately enabling effective disaster management in smart cities amid 21st-century challenges.

To address the intricate interplay between digital infrastructure and urban ecosystems, this study will adopt a multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise from cybersecurity, urban planning, and information technology. The research will delve into the vulnerabilities and potential threats that arise with the integration of IoT devices, interconnected systems, and the extensive data networks inherent in Smart Cities. By understanding the technological landscape, our goal is to devise adaptive and resilient cybersecurity measures that safeguard critical infrastructures while preserving the privacy and security of citizens. The methodology involves a qualitative inquiry through an open-ended questionnaire from 50 stakeholders. The anticipated outcomes of this research include the development of practical guidelines, best practices, and policy recommendations to fortify the cybersecurity posture of existing and future Smart Cities. By addressing the intricate relationship between urbanization and technology, this project aspires to contribute to the creation of secure, resilient, and sustainable urban environments that harness the full potential of Smart City innovations while mitigating cybersecurity risks.

The current context of climate change and imminent global warming is leading to changes in temperature and rainfall patterns worldwide which affect soil moisture, vegetation and soil conditions, the incidence of dry and wet events, and consequently, the occurrence, intensity, and magnitude of fires. Fires harm people’s quality of life as they can disrupt economic activities and affect public health. Additionally, fires damage the environment, accelerating water and wind erosion processes, altering air quality, and contributing to ecosystem degradation. Pampas in Argentina was selected as an example to study fires at a regional scale using Remote Sensing techniques due to its status as one of the most fertile plains in the world and the country’s most densely populated area. The fires are carefully analyzed and described considering three stages: i) pre-fires, ii) fires, and iii) post-fires. Afterwards, fire disaster management plans are described to assess these events, reduce their impacts on society and biodiversity, and minimize the ecosystems’ recovery time. In this sense, this manuscript aims to review the relationships between climate change, global warming, and the occurrence of fires. Additionally, it proposes to analyze the potential of Remote Sensing in analyzing these events at a regional scale to provide the mechanisms and tools necessary for formulating fire disaster management plans.

Quantum computers are recently being developed in wide varieties, but the computational results from quantum computing have been largely confined to constructing artificial assignments. The applications of quantum computers to real-world problems are still an active area of research. However, challenges arise when the limits of scale and complexity in biological problems are pushed, which has affected drug discovery. The fast-evolving quantum computing technology has transformed the computational capabilities in drug research by searching for solutions for complicated and tedious calculations. Quantum computing (QC) is exponentially more efficient in drug discovery, treatment, and therapeutics, generating profitable business for the pharmaceutical industry. In principle, it can be stated that quantum computing can solve complex problems exponentially faster than classical computing. Here it is needed to mention that QC will not be able to take on every task that classical computers perform—at least not now. It may be classical and quantum-coupled computational technologies combined with machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) will solve each task in the future. This review is an overview of quantum computing, which may soon revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry in drug discovery.

 In an era characterized by unprecedented urbanization and escalating concerns about climate change, the resilience of buildings and cities has emerged as a paramount global imperative. This review article embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between climate change and the built environment, delving into multi-faceted dimensions that encompass climate change impacts, quantification methodologies, adaptive strategies, disaster management, eco-centric design paradigms, and assessment metrics. As the world grapples with the challenges posed by shifting climate patterns, understanding the intricate interplay between these elements becomes pivotal to fostering sustainable urban development. From the far-reaching implications of climate change on buildings and cities to the intricate tools and strategies that assess, mitigate, and adapt to these shifts, this article offers a comprehensive roadmap for creating resilient urban landscapes that thrive amidst environmental uncertainties. By amalgamating diverse insights and approaches, it envisions a future where eco-design, climate resilience, and pragmatic strategies converge to shape buildings and cities that stand as bastions of sustainability and fortitude.