Digital Transformation: towards Sustainable and Smart New Cities in Upper Egypt (New Qena Case study).

Despite the ongoing development of IT and innovative technologies in all aspects of life, the transformation of cities into smart, sustainable cities is still at a starting level in developing countries. Decision-makers and planners still face numerous challenges in achieving smart, sustainable cities in Egypt. Such as rapid urbanization, increased emission rate, waste of resources, population growth, weak infrastructure, etc. This has led many countries to accelerate the harnessing of technology’s potential for transformation into smart, sustainable cities. Therefore, the research aims to investigate and highlight the significance of innovative technologies in driving and achieving digital transformation in new cities in Upper Egypt to become smart, sustainable cities. That could lead the cities to invest and build the qualifications to be autonomous cities in the future. The research studied three cases in the Arab world in order to apply the lessons acquired from their digital transformation experiences and sustainable plans. Consequently, the paper presents proposed guidelines to achieve a sustainable smart city in New Qena. These guidelines assist planners, authorities, and decision-makers in improving the quality of life, and city services, enhancing economic and social sustainability, promoting climate-friendly environments, and developing a vision for the future transformation of the city.