Barriers to Smart City Development: A Case of Dharamshala Smart City of Himachal Pradesh, India

By : Naina Sambher, D.D. Sharma

Page No: 70-84

Abstract
This paper identifies the primary barriers to smart city development in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, by analysing expert perceptions and citizen satisfaction levels. The data for this study has been gathered by smart city experts and a cross-section of the general public regarding their perceptions and satisfaction levels respectively. Drawing upon experts’ feedback and a review of existing literature, the identified barriers are subsequently assessed and ranked using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Smart Cities are solutions to urban development related problems such as provision of basic amenities, viz. water supply, sewerage, sanitation, traffic congestion and housing quality, integrated with information and communication technology that can be used as a source for future predictions, enabling convergence of projects with local authorities and organisations. It has been concluded from the study that there is a need for real time accessibility of data-based planning and decision-making in Dharamshala smart city.

Authors:
Naina Sambher, Ph. D. Research Scholar, Department of Geography, Himachal Pradesh University.
Prof. D.D. Sharma, Professor and Chairman, Department of Geography, Himachal Pradesh University.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/NL.2025.57.01.5