TRANSFORMAÇÃO DIGITAL URBANA NO BRASIL: FUNDAMENTOS TECNOLÓGICOS, AMBIENTAIS, JURÍDICOS E DE PLANEJAMENTO DAS CIDADES INTELIGENTES

• Palavras-chave: Cidades Inteligentes, Governança Urbana Digital, Sustentabilidade Urbana, Planejamento Urbano Integrado e Transformação Digital no Setor Público

• Keywords: Smart Cities, Digital Urban Governance, Urban Sustainability, Integrated Urban Planning and Digital Transformation in the Public Sector

• Abstract: The consolidation of smart cities in Brazil constitutes a complex and multidimensional process, involving the integration of technology, governance, urban planning, sustainability, and institutional innovation. This study analyzes this scenario based on the methodological evolution of the Connected Smart Cities Ranking, the main national instrument for evaluating smart urban development, which has incorporated indicators aligned with standards and organized into integrated thematic axes focused on innovation and urban quality of life. Relevant initiatives in medium-sized municipalities are also observed, particularly in the areas of public safety, education, and energy efficiency, indicating the gradual expansion of smart city practices across the country. The study further discusses the legal and governmental foundations that support the implementation of these initiatives in Brazil, with emphasis on the General Data Protection Law and the Economic Freedom Law, which are essential to ensuring privacy protection, legal certainty, and administrative debureaucratization. From a technological and urban planning perspective, trends such as the expansion of urban Internet of Things, smart public lighting as a service platform, integrated electric mobility, smart buildings connected to the urban network, and digital platforms for citizen participation are analyzed, as well as contemporary approaches such as the 15-minute city concept and nature-based solutions. Despite the observed progress, structural challenges persist, including digital exclusion, high implementation and maintenance costs, regulatory updates, and the lack of systemic integration among public agencies. It is concluded that the advancement of smart cities in Brazil depends on the transformation of isolated initiatives into scalable public policies, balancing technological efficiency, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and ethical data governance.