Data Analytics in Sustainable City Planning

As cities worldwide face increasing challenges related to population growth, resource constraints, and climate change, the importance of sustainable city planning has never been greater. In recent years, the significance of big data as a tool for understanding and improving our world, especially in the domains of urban planning and design, cannot be overstated. Big data analytics has emerged as a powerful tool to inform and enhance sustainable city planning efforts, fundamentally altering the approach to urban development. Despite the advancements, there remain significant gaps in the integration of data analytics into urban planning, particularly in addressing issues such as data fragmentation, social inequities, and resource constraints. Current studies have demonstrated the potential of integrated data platforms, advanced analytics techniques, and real-time monitoring systems to improve urban resilience and equity. However, there is a pressing need for more comprehensive research to fully harness these technologies and address the multifaceted challenges of urbanization.

This research topic aims to explore the scope of data analytics in sustainable city planning. By leveraging data analytics as a strategic tool, the goal is to address complex urbanization challenges while promoting inclusive, resilient, and thriving urban environments. Specific questions to be answered include how data analytics can mitigate social inequities, enhance resource management, and support equitable development. Hypotheses to be tested may involve the effectiveness of predictive analysis solutions and the impact of real-time monitoring systems on urban governance and policy-making.

To gather further insights in the application of data analytics in sustainable city planning, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Data-driven urban modelling and planning
- Predictive analysis solutions for urban development
- Sensor and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in urban sustainability applications
- Spatial analysis in sustainable urban planning
- Big data methods and solutions to manage and analyze large-scale urban data
- ICT technologies enriched by big data analysis in support of smart urban sustainability applications such as energy efficiency, transportation and mobility planning, and healthcare
- Social equity and justice considerations in data-driven urban planning
- Resilience planning and climate adaptation strategies informed by data analytics
- Urban governance and policy implications of data-driven decision-making
- Ethical and privacy considerations in the use of urban data analytics

Keywords: Urban Analytics, Smart Cities, Big Data Analytics, Urban Infrastructure Optimisation, and Sustainable Urban Development.

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.