Research Area:  Blockchain Technology

Abstract:

The term “Smart City” denotes a comprehensive concept to alleviate pending problems of modern urban areas which have developed into an important work field for practitioners and scholars alike. However, the question remains as to how cities can become “smart”. The application of information technology is generally considered a key driver in the “smartization” of cities. Detailed frameworks and procedures are therefore needed to guide, operationalize, and measure the implementation process as well as the impact of the respective technologies. In this paper, we discuss blockchain technology, a novel driver of technological transformation that comprises a multitude of underlying technologies and protocols, and its potential impact on smart cities. We specifically address the question of how blockchain technology may benefit the development of urban areas. Based on a comprehensive literature review, we present a framework and research propositions. We identify nine application fields of blockchain technology in the smartization of cities: (1) healthcare, (2) logistics and supply chains, (3) mobility, (4) energy, (5) administration and services, (6) e-voting, (7) factory, (8) home and (9) education. We discuss current developments in these fields, illustrate how they are affected by blockchain technology and derive propositions to guide future research endeavors.

Keywords:  
Smart Cities
blockchain
distributed ledger technology
literature review
research agenda
research propositions
technology driver

Author(s) Name:  Horst Treiblmaier,Abderahman Rejeb and Andreas Strebinger

Publisher name:  MDPI

DOI:  10.3390/smartcities3030044

Volume Information:  Volume 3,Issue 3

Paper Link:   https://www.mdpi.com/2624-6511/3/3/44