Applications of System Dynamics in Smart Cities: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Despite the growing availability of urban big data, smart city initiatives often fail due to unforeseen feedback loops. This study utilizes a systematic review of 22 peer-reviewed articles to evaluate the efficacy of system dynamics (SD) in mitigating these failures. The paper categorizes current SD applications. While governance studies rely on qualitative causal loop diagrams to map soft variables, energy and mobility research is increasingly adopting hybrid quantitative simulations. The findings indicate that these hybrid models are essential for predicting critical "tipping points." The review concludes that SD provides the necessary temporal framework to manage the lag between investment and sustainability, offering specific policy recommendations to avoid premature project cancellation.