Abstract
Sustainable cities are crucial in establishing effective waste management systems and minimizing environmental pollution. For cities to be sustainable, different aspects need to be considered, such as technological development, clean energy usage, and energy efficiency. However, taking the most important actions is essential because of the very high cost that will arise, and this situation causes countries to have budget deficit problems. In other words, there is a significant need for a new study that makes a priority analysis with respect to the circular economy-based criteria for smart cities. Accordingly, this study aims to identify significant factors to improve sustainable cities using a novel decision-making model. First, essential determinants of the smart cities were evaluated with the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique based on quantum spherical fuzzy sets (QASH) and facial expressions of the decision-makers. Second, smart investment choices for sustainable cities were ranked according to the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) approach. In addition, comparative ranking results were constructed together with sensitivity analysis. The ranking results of the extended VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) are compared with the extended TOPSIS results and their sensitivity analysis results. The main contribution of this study is that appropriate priority strategies were determined by using an original methodology to have sustainable cities. A new methodology is developed in this study by the name of neuro decision-making. According to the comparative evaluation and sensitivity analysis, the findings are found as reliable and relevant. Resource efficiency is the most critical factor in improving sustainable cities. Constructing sustainable buildings is the most appropriate strategy for increasing smart cities. Necessary actions should be taken to minimize unconscious water and energy use. New technological developments need to be quickly adapted to businesses. In this way, it would be possible to perform the same work amount using less energy and water. For this purpose, it is important both to provide the necessary training and to emphasize the importance of these issues in television advertisements.