Big data analytics, resource orchestration, and digital sustainability: A case study of smart city development

Smart cities are expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of urban management, including public services, public security, and environmental protection, and to ultimately achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 for making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Big data have been identified as a key enabler in the development of smart cities. However, our understanding of how different data sources should be managed and integrated remains limited. By analyzing data applications in the development of a sustainable smart city, this case study identified three phases of development, each requiring a different approach to orchestrating diverse data sources. A framework identifying the phases, data-related issues, data orchestration and its interaction with other resources, focal capabilities, and development approaches is developed. This study benefits both researchers and practitioners by making theoretical contributions and by offering practical insights in the fields of smart cities and big data. •Data orchestration for data applications in a successful smart city were analyzed.•A framework identifying three phases of smart city development was developed.•Each phase develops a different capability and tackles specific data issues.•Data orchestration involves sourcing, processing, and utilizing various data sources.•Each phase requires a different approach: integration, co-creation and revolution.