The concept of smart cities in light of the accelerated global developments is an essential pillar of a more sustainable and sustainable future, and the importance of these cities is evident in their ability to employ modern technology and artificial intelligence to improve life quality, reduce resource consumption, and enhance the efficiency of public services. With the escalation of global trends towards digital transformation and reducing carbon emissions, smart cities have become an urgent necessity and not just a luxury. To review the latest technological innovations and challenges facing cities in their pursuit of smart development. It also contributes to enhancing cooperation between the public and private sectors, and supports the efforts of governments in formulating sustainable digital strategies, to keep pace with global changes, and meet the needs of the growing societies by adopting more intelligent and effective solutions. Bahrain, represented by its capital, Manama, recorded a qualitative achievement in digital transformation and smart urban planning, as it participated for the first time in the IMD index for smart cities for the year 2025, and in a report published by Al -Watan, it was found that the Kingdom of Bahrain ranked 36th in the world out of 146 cities, ahead of many regional and international capitals and cities. The index issued by the International Institute for Administrative Development (IMD) depends on the evaluation of cities performance in five main areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance, based on field questionnaires and urban data analysis and digital services. Manama showed strong results in many areas, where 78.1% recorded in electronic reporting of maintenance problems, And 76.2% in disposal of waste through applications, and technology also contributed to reducing traffic congestion through smart applications by 72.9%. In the field of education and entrepreneurship, the speed of the Internet and the availability of life opportunities exceeded 73%, which reflects Bahrain’s trends towards a full digital transformation. These transformations are not limited to technology, but also extend to improving the standard of living and promoting sustainability, which makes cities more intelligent and integral. The shift towards smart cities contributes to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, and attracting specialized investments in technology and digital services, which enhances economic growth. The improvement of the quality of life through smart services contributes to achieving social stability, as studies have shown that the priorities of the residents of Manama are concentrated in providing housing at reasonable prices by 53%, and solving the problem of traffic congestion by 52%, in addition to enhancing job opportunities by 49%. This data provides a clear vision of the future policies that must be adopted to ensure sustainable and integrated development. With Bahrain’s continued achievement of tangible progress in the categories of smart cities, the Kingdom is heading to enhance its digital infrastructure, support innovation and entrepreneurship, and create a stimulating environment for economic and social growth. Manama has surpassed several regional cities, and this progress reflects the commitment to strengthening smart cities initiatives and improving the quality of living, which makes Bahrain a role model in the region and the world in the field of digital transformation and sustainability.
