Dariusz Cichoń
ABSTRACT Modern urban planning is experiencing a transition from traditional planning to the integration of information technology, which defines the concept of a “smart city”. The study analyses the evolution of urban planning practices with an emphasis on the role of engineering and architecture in the process of urbanization, the transition to the involvement of architects in the development of urban spaces, and the impact of the latest ICT specialists on the formation of urban agglomerations in the 21st century. Based on comparative analysis using the IESE Cities in Motion Index and structured literature synthesis, the study identifies that the technological basis of the ‘smart city “ includes land usage to cover the utilization of artificial intelligence, climate change, and other modern information systems that contribute to improving the quality of urban life. The global trend toward the development of “smart cities“ emphasizes its necessity due to the growth of the urban population and climate change, as well as the constraints of nature. It is substantiated that the integration of innovative technologies is a key factor in solving urban problems, such as transport, ecology, waste management, and energy, which opens new opportunities for economic development and improving the quality of life. An integrated approach to the development and implementation of infrastructure solutions for “smart cities” is proposed, leveraging modern information technologies to optimize the urban environment and improve the quality of life of residents. The detailed analysis concludes that technologies significantly increase the efficiency of urban resource management and climate change, contributing to sustainable development and economic growth.