Smart Cities: Urban Transformation through Intelligent Applications in Romania

Smart cities represent a transformative approach that combines advanced technology and smart applications to address contemporary urban challenges. The study explores the implementation of smart city solutions in Romania, with a focus on five key areas: transportation and mobility, smart governance, smart health, public safety, and environmental monitoring. By analyzing representative applications, the research highlights the positive impact of digitization on infrastructure efficiency and citizens’ quality of life. However, initiatives are accompanied by challenges such as financial limitations, lack of public trust, and regional disparities. The article highlights the importance of public-private collaboration and a coherent national strategy to maximize the benefits of smart cities, promoting social inclusion and sustainability. The results provide insight into Romania’s potential to become a best-practice model in Eastern Europe.