Volume 1 Issue 1 (2025)

The rapid development of smart cities has brought the application of Management Information Systems (MIS) in urban infrastructure management to the forefront. This paper aims to explore the current state, challenges, and future trends of MIS application in urban infrastructure management within the context of smart cities. Through methods such as literature review and case analysis, it systematically elaborates on the mechanism of MIS in various stages of urban infrastructure, including planning, construction, operation, and maintenance. The paper analyzes the application effectiveness in areas such as data integration, intelligent decision-making, and collaborative management. Concurrently, it identifies existing challenges in current applications, such as non-unified technical standards, difficulties in data sharing, and information security risks. Corresponding countermeasures and suggestions, including strengthening top-level design, promoting data sharing, and reinforcing information security, are proposed. The research findings indicate that MIS holds significant application value in the management of urban infrastructure within smart cities, which is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of urban infrastructure management and promoting the development of smart cities.

Urban systems are inherently complex, composed of numerous interacting subsystems whose performance significantly impacts quality of life, economic vitality, and environmental sustainability. Traditional urban management often addresses these subsystems—such as transport, energy, and water—in silos, potentially leading to suboptimal outcomes and missed opportunities for synergy. This paper investigates the intricate interplay between these three critical urban subsystems, aiming to understand their synergies, tensions, and dependencies. Through a combination of literature review, conceptual modeling, and case study analysis, we examine how the performance of one system directly influences and is influenced by the others. We identify key interaction points, such as the energy demand of transportation networks, the water footprint of energy production, and the energy requirements for water treatment and distribution. Furthermore, we analyze the limitations of current fragmented management approaches and advocate for the development and implementation of holistic, integrated management strategies. The paper proposes a framework for integrated urban systems management that emphasizes cross-sectoral data sharing, coordinated planning, and adaptive governance mechanisms. By acknowledging and strategically managing the interdependencies between transport, energy, and water, cities can move towards more resilient, efficient, and sustainable futures. This research contributes to the field by providing a deeper understanding of urban system interplay and offering practical insights for policymakers and urban planners seeking to implement integrated management solutions.

The imperative for sustainable development necessitates a fundamental transformation of global infrastructure systems. This paper explores the critical intersection of sustainability, circularity, and climate resilience within the design, development, management, and governance of diverse infrastructure sectors – transportation, energy, water, waste, and digital. It argues that a siloed approach is inadequate to address the complex challenges posed by climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. Instead, an integrated, systems-thinking approach is essential. The paper reviews current practices and emerging technologies that promote circularity (e.g., material passports, life-cycle assessment, reuse and recycling infrastructure) and enhance climate resilience (e.g., climate-informed design, nature-based solutions, adaptive management). It examines the role of sustainable design principles (e.g., passive design, low-impact development) and the potential of digital infrastructure (e.g., smart grids, IoT sensors, data analytics) to optimize resource efficiency and enable real-time monitoring and adaptation. Furthermore, the paper discusses the importance of adaptive governance frameworks, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and economic instruments (e.g., carbon pricing, circular economy incentives) in facilitating the transition towards sustainable infrastructure. Case studies from various infrastructure sectors illustrate the practical application and benefits of integrated approaches. Challenges related to upfront costs, technological readiness, data integration, policy coherence, and social acceptance are identified. The paper concludes by advocating for a paradigm shift towards inherently sustainable, circular, and resilient infrastructure systems, emphasizing the need for cross-sectoral integration, continuous innovation, and robust governance mechanisms to ensure long-term environmental, social, and economic viability.

This study proposes a novel multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) framework to optimize the integration of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with renewable energy grids in urban environments. Addressing the critical challenge of imbalanced spatiotemporal demand in smart cities, our approach leverages real-time data from 15,000 IoT sensors across transportation networks, energy grids, and weather systems in Zurich, Singapore, and Tokyo. We develop a decentralized MARL system where agents representing EV charging stations and renewable energy sources learn optimal scheduling and pricing strategies through interactions with their local environments and each other. Integration with blockchain technology facilitates transparent and efficient peer-to-peer energy trading among agents, while spatial equity analytics ensure equitable distribution of charging infrastructure benefits. Comprehensive evaluations through 18-month simulations demonstrates 15% reduction in grid stress during extreme weather events and 23% lower carbon emissions compared to conventional systems. Our findings establish a replicable model for resilient, human-centric urban infrastructure that aligns with SDGs 7 (Affordable Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities), and 13 (Climate Action).

Urban areas face unprecedented challenges from population growth, climate change, and resource constraints. Smart Urban Systems and Infrastructure (SUSI) presents a transformative paradigm by integrating digital technologies, data analytics, and sustainable practices into urban development. This study systematically reviews advancements in smart urban systems, focusing on three pillars: (1) Digital Infrastructure (IoT, 5G, AI-driven urban management), (2) Sustainable Infrastructure (green buildings, renewable energy grids, circular water systems), and (3) Governance and Equity (participatory planning, algorithmic fairness). Through a meta-analysis of 127 case studies across 34 cities, we identify critical success factors for implementing smart urban solutions, including interoperability standards, community engagement, and adaptive governance frameworks. Key findings reveal that cities adopting integrated digital-sustainable approaches achieve 23–45% higher efficiency in resource utilization and 18–32% lower carbon emissions compared to traditional infrastructure models. The paper concludes with a proposed “Smart Urban Systems Maturity Model” to guide policymakers and practitioners in scaling sustainable urban transformations.