Assessment and Ranking of Iranian Metropolises in Terms of Readiness for Achieving a "Smart City and Smart Region" and Proposing a Planning Framework

With the rapid growth of urbanization in Iran, metropolitan areas are facing major challenges such as severe traffic congestion, air pollution, inefficient energy and resource consumption, and a lack of integrated urban services. The concepts of the smart city and smart region have emerged as innovative approaches that leverage digital and data-driven technologies to enhance citizens' quality of life, improve the efficiency of urban services, and achieve environmental sustainability. This study aims to assess and rank major Iranian metropolises—including Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Karaj in terms of their readiness to achieve smart city and smart region development. The research adopts a qualitative methodology based on the use of an online smart urban platform utilizing street-level sensors and real-time data analytics to evaluate digital infrastructure, traffic conditions, public safety, and environmental factors. Data were directly collected from the platform's online dashboards, urban reports, and open data sources, and were analyzed using descriptive and comparative methods. The findings indicate that Tehran ranks higher due to its more advanced street data infrastructure and intelligent traffic systems, while cities such as Mashhad and Isfahan demonstrate considerable potential but face challenges related to the lack of integrated sensor-based data. Finally, the study proposes a practical planning framework for transitioning toward smart cities, which includes stages of online data collection, readiness assessment, prioritization of investment in sensors and IoT technologies, and the strengthening of public-private collaboration. This framework assists urban managers in taking practical and qualitative steps toward smart urban development by focusing on real-time online tools.

کلیدواژه ها:

Smart City ، Smart Region ، Urban Readiness ، Metropolitan Ranking ، Urban and Regional Planning ، Iran