Examining the factors inhibiting Smart Cities implementation in Jordan

The study focuses on the emergence of smart cities as a transformative concept, connecting various aspects of daily life. While most existing literature on smart cities is based on experiences in developed countries, this research examines the factors influencing the implementation of smart city projects in Jordan, a developing nation. The factors considered encompass governmental, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental aspects. The findings, derived from interviews with experts from different sectors in Jordan, highlight key barriers to smart city transformation. These include a lack of cooperation and coordination, unclear vision, and limited private-public participation in the governmental sector. Additionally, economic factors such as the need for flexible funding legislation, social factors like community involvement, technological challenges related to data availability and system integration, legal issues concerning open data access and regulatory norms, and environmental concerns tied to population growth were identified. The study also pinpoints specific Jordanian factors crucial to the context, such as physical infrastructure, land ownership, sponsorship management, approvals, fees and taxes, trust in e-government products, and security. The research provides valuable insights for government officials and policymakers and concludes with recommendations and suggestions for future research directions