Smart cities in action: integrating IoT, AI, and cloud infrastructure for sustainable urban living

Hiranya Dissanayake; Otilia Manta; Deshika Nainanayake; Lalit Mohan Tewari

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-13412-7_2

Smart cities in action: integrating IoT, AI, and cloud infrastructure for sustainable urban living

Hiranya Dissanayake
, Otilia Manta
, Deshika Nainanayake
, Lalit Mohan Tewari

School of Business

Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Romanian Academy
Kumaun University India

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

The acceleration of urbanization presents complex challenges for sustainability, governance, and citizen well-being. Smart cities emerge as adaptive solutions, grounded in the convergence of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud computing. IoT sensors embedded across infrastructures generate vast, real-time data streams, while AI algorithms provide predictive insights for mobility, energy, and safety management. Cloud infrastructures enable interoperability, secure storage, and scalable integration across heterogeneous systems. Theoretically, this integration aligns with socio-technical systems theory, highlighting the interdependence of technological and social layers; resilience theory, emphasizing adaptive capacities for coping with urban uncertainties; and sustainability transitions theory, framing how innovations drive systemic change in urban environments. These perspectives reveal how smart cities can function not merely as technological solutions but as socio-technical ecosystems that enhance sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. However, ethical concerns regarding privacy, security, and governance necessitate robust regulatory frameworks. This study contributes to understanding the transformative potential and theoretical underpinnings of IoT–AI–cloud synergies for future urban living.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Data-Driven Sustainability: Harnessing Technology for a Greener Future and Environmental Resilience
Editors	Rubee Singh, Walter Leal Filho, Vikas Kumar
Place of Publication	Switzerland
Publisher	Springer
Pages	19-30
Number of pages	12
ISBN (Electronic)	9783032134127
ISBN (Print)	9783032134110
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-13412-7_2
Publication status	Published - 2026

Publication series

Name	World Sustainability Series
Volume	Part F1465
ISSN (Print)	2199-7373
ISSN (Electronic)	2199-7381

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Cloud computing
Cyber-physical systems
Data-driven decision-making
Internet of Things (IoT)
Predictive maintenance
Smart city
Sustainability
Urban governance

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-032-13412-7_2

Cite this

Dissanayake, H., Manta, O., Nainanayake, D., & Tewari, L. M. (2026). Smart cities in action: integrating IoT, AI, and cloud infrastructure for sustainable urban living. In R. Singh, W. L. Filho, & V. Kumar (Eds.), Data-Driven Sustainability: Harnessing Technology for a Greener Future and Environmental Resilience (pp. 19-30). (World Sustainability Series; Vol. Part F1465). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-13412-7_2

Dissanayake, Hiranya ; Manta, Otilia ; Nainanayake, Deshika et al. / Smart cities in action : integrating IoT, AI, and cloud infrastructure for sustainable urban living. Data-Driven Sustainability: Harnessing Technology for a Greener Future and Environmental Resilience. editor / Rubee Singh ; Walter Leal Filho ; Vikas Kumar. Switzerland : Springer, 2026. pp. 19-30 (World Sustainability Series).

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title = "Smart cities in action: integrating IoT, AI, and cloud infrastructure for sustainable urban living",

abstract = "The acceleration of urbanization presents complex challenges for sustainability, governance, and citizen well-being. Smart cities emerge as adaptive solutions, grounded in the convergence of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud computing. IoT sensors embedded across infrastructures generate vast, real-time data streams, while AI algorithms provide predictive insights for mobility, energy, and safety management. Cloud infrastructures enable interoperability, secure storage, and scalable integration across heterogeneous systems. Theoretically, this integration aligns with socio-technical systems theory, highlighting the interdependence of technological and social layers; resilience theory, emphasizing adaptive capacities for coping with urban uncertainties; and sustainability transitions theory, framing how innovations drive systemic change in urban environments. These perspectives reveal how smart cities can function not merely as technological solutions but as socio-technical ecosystems that enhance sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. However, ethical concerns regarding privacy, security, and governance necessitate robust regulatory frameworks. This study contributes to understanding the transformative potential and theoretical underpinnings of IoT–AI–cloud synergies for future urban living.",

keywords = "Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud computing, Cyber-physical systems, Data-driven decision-making, Internet of Things (IoT), Predictive maintenance, Smart city, Sustainability, Urban governance",

author = "Hiranya Dissanayake and Otilia Manta and Deshika Nainanayake and Tewari, \{Lalit Mohan\}",

year = "2026",

doi = "10.1007/978-3-032-13412-7\_2",

language = "English",

isbn = "9783032134110",

series = "World Sustainability Series",

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Dissanayake, H, Manta, O, Nainanayake, D & Tewari, LM 2026, Smart cities in action: integrating IoT, AI, and cloud infrastructure for sustainable urban living. in R Singh, WL Filho & V Kumar (eds), Data-Driven Sustainability: Harnessing Technology for a Greener Future and Environmental Resilience. World Sustainability Series, vol. Part F1465, Springer, Switzerland, pp. 19-30. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-13412-7_2

Smart cities in action: integrating IoT, AI, and cloud infrastructure for sustainable urban living. / Dissanayake, Hiranya; Manta, Otilia; Nainanayake, Deshika et al.
Data-Driven Sustainability: Harnessing Technology for a Greener Future and Environmental Resilience. ed. / Rubee Singh; Walter Leal Filho; Vikas Kumar. Switzerland: Springer, 2026. p. 19-30 (World Sustainability Series; Vol. Part F1465).

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Chapter › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - Smart cities in action

T2 - integrating IoT, AI, and cloud infrastructure for sustainable urban living

AU - Dissanayake, Hiranya

AU - Manta, Otilia

AU - Nainanayake, Deshika

AU - Tewari, Lalit Mohan

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - The acceleration of urbanization presents complex challenges for sustainability, governance, and citizen well-being. Smart cities emerge as adaptive solutions, grounded in the convergence of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud computing. IoT sensors embedded across infrastructures generate vast, real-time data streams, while AI algorithms provide predictive insights for mobility, energy, and safety management. Cloud infrastructures enable interoperability, secure storage, and scalable integration across heterogeneous systems. Theoretically, this integration aligns with socio-technical systems theory, highlighting the interdependence of technological and social layers; resilience theory, emphasizing adaptive capacities for coping with urban uncertainties; and sustainability transitions theory, framing how innovations drive systemic change in urban environments. These perspectives reveal how smart cities can function not merely as technological solutions but as socio-technical ecosystems that enhance sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. However, ethical concerns regarding privacy, security, and governance necessitate robust regulatory frameworks. This study contributes to understanding the transformative potential and theoretical underpinnings of IoT–AI–cloud synergies for future urban living.

AB - The acceleration of urbanization presents complex challenges for sustainability, governance, and citizen well-being. Smart cities emerge as adaptive solutions, grounded in the convergence of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud computing. IoT sensors embedded across infrastructures generate vast, real-time data streams, while AI algorithms provide predictive insights for mobility, energy, and safety management. Cloud infrastructures enable interoperability, secure storage, and scalable integration across heterogeneous systems. Theoretically, this integration aligns with socio-technical systems theory, highlighting the interdependence of technological and social layers; resilience theory, emphasizing adaptive capacities for coping with urban uncertainties; and sustainability transitions theory, framing how innovations drive systemic change in urban environments. These perspectives reveal how smart cities can function not merely as technological solutions but as socio-technical ecosystems that enhance sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. However, ethical concerns regarding privacy, security, and governance necessitate robust regulatory frameworks. This study contributes to understanding the transformative potential and theoretical underpinnings of IoT–AI–cloud synergies for future urban living.

KW - Artificial Intelligence (AI)

KW - Cloud computing

KW - Cyber-physical systems

KW - Data-driven decision-making

KW - Internet of Things (IoT)

KW - Predictive maintenance

KW - Smart city

KW - Sustainability

KW - Urban governance

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105030332217

UR - https://go.openathens.net/redirector/westernsydney.edu.au?url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-13412-7_2

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-032-13412-7_2

DO - 10.1007/978-3-032-13412-7_2

M3 - Chapter

AN - SCOPUS:105030332217

SN - 9783032134110

T3 - World Sustainability Series

SP - 19

EP - 30

BT - Data-Driven Sustainability: Harnessing Technology for a Greener Future and Environmental Resilience

A2 - Singh, Rubee

A2 - Filho, Walter Leal

A2 - Kumar, Vikas

PB - Springer

CY - Switzerland

ER -

Dissanayake H, Manta O, Nainanayake D, Tewari LM. Smart cities in action: integrating IoT, AI, and cloud infrastructure for sustainable urban living. In Singh R, Filho WL, Kumar V, editors, Data-Driven Sustainability: Harnessing Technology for a Greener Future and Environmental Resilience. Switzerland: Springer. 2026. p. 19-30. (World Sustainability Series). doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-13412-7_2

Smart cities in action: integrating IoT, AI, and cloud infrastructure for sustainable urban living

Abstract

Publication series

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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