City Development Under the Pressure of the Smart Society

Rapid technological development and global urbanization have brought profound transformations to how modern cities are organized and operate. The concept of the smart society is closely linked to the use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and data analytics, to improve the quality of urban life. This paper analyzes the smart society from the perspective of urban sociology, examining the social, economic, and cultural impacts of this transformation. Through a theoretical and analytical approach, the paper explores how smart cities affect social relations, power structures, and civic engagement. The smart society is not merely a technological concept, but also a social reality encompassing transformations in the ways people interact, organize, and participate in public life. Within this framework, urban sociology offers an essential lens for understanding these shifts by analyzing their effects on social structures, urban identities, and power dynamics. The transformation of cities in the era of the smart society will be examined, where technology, digitalization, and emerging social demands exert continuous pressure on urban planning. Urban development is no longer just a matter of physical infrastructure, but a complex process that integrates technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. Drawing on literature review methods and diverse case studies, this paper addresses the primary challenges facing contemporary cities, as well as the opportunities smart cities provide for more efficient and sustainable development.