| Abstract |
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Doha, Qatar, is committed to becoming a Sustainable Smart city as part of its Qatar National Vision 2030. This transformation is vital for bolstering regional economic resilience, advancing environmental sustainability, and promoting smart governance. Despite growing global interest in Sustainable Smart Cities, limited research specifically addresses Doha’s unique challenges in this domain. Understanding these barriers is essential for informed policymaking and effective urban planning. This study seeks to identify and evaluate the primary obstacles impeding Doha’s Sustainable Smart city development, with a focus on economic, technological, social, governance, environmental, and regulatory dimensions. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was used to analyze barriers to Sustainable Smart city development in Doha. The study began with a literature review to establish a theoretical foundation and identify global and regional challenges. This was enriched by qualitative input from Qatari stakeholders, including urban planners, policymakers, technology experts, and public-private sector representatives. Partial Least Squares Path Modelling was then employed to prioritize barriers by evaluating their impact on Sustainable Smart City progress. This approach combined theoretical insights with practical, context-specific expertise for a robust analysis. FINDINGS: This research identifies key barriers to Doha’s transition into a Sustainable Smart city: economic (25%), technological (20%), social (20%), governance (15%), regulatory (10%), and environmental (10%). Economic barriers, particularly high infrastructure costs, are the most significant, followed by technological readiness and social awareness. Governance issues, characterized by bureaucratic inefficiencies, complicate development, while regulatory barriers stem from outdated policies. Environmental challenges, including climate-related issues like water scarcity, further hinder progress. Compared to Abu Dhabi, Doha lags in regulatory frameworks (Doha 3, Abu Dhabi 4), public awareness (Doha 2.5, Abu Dhabi 3.5), and technological infrastructure (Doha 2.8, Abu Dhabi 4.2). Addressing these barriers through tailored strategies is essential for advancing Doha’s Sustainable Smart City vision and enhancing public participation. CONCLUSION: To address these challenges, the study recommends fostering public-private partnerships to secure funding, developing Sustainable, Smart city-specific regulations to improve governance, and launching awareness campaigns to enhance community participation. Targeted investments in advanced technological infrastructure and streamlined coordination among governing bodies are also crucial. By implementing these strategies, Doha can overcome its challenges and achieve its vision of becoming a sustainable, smart city aligned with its Qatar National Vision 2030. ©2025 The author(s). |
