Are smart technologies enough to build climate-resilient cities? A bibliometric assessment of global trends and research gaps

Cities around the world are facing unprecedented challenges related to climate change, demanding innovative solutions and strategic adaptation. This study carries out an in-depth bibliometric analysis of the growing research on smart cities and climate change adaptation, exploring how technological advances can improve urban resilience and sustainability. By analyzing 1348 documents from the Scopus and Web of Science databases (2009–2024), we identify the main research trends, influential authors and journals, as well as the main thematic groups. Our results reveal a growing attention paid to the integration of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and big data analysis in urban planning and governance for climate change mitigation and adaptation. In particular, we identify critical gaps in research, including the need for holistic evaluation frameworks, improved citizen participation strategies and reducing the gap between technological potential and actual implementation. This analysis provides an essential roadmap for future research and policy development, guiding the transition to climate-resilient smart cities.