IoT architecture a gateway for smart cities in Arab world

In the last years, the world has jumped rapidly towards more urbanization, and for the first time in the history of 2008 urban population exceeded the rural population. By 2050, it is expected that two-thirds of the world population will live in urban areas. Because of this rapid urbanization worldwide, smart cities emerged as a significant formation of cities that help in achieving sustainable development and smart growth. Smart cities definition varies depending on whom you talk to, the main mission of a smart city is to optimize city functions and lead economic growth as well as, improving quality of life for its residents using smart technology and data analysis. Designing a smart city is not happening on the spot, it needs visionary leadership to lead the emerging of the smart city and its architecture platform. The conceptualization of Smart city, varies from country to another, depending on many aspects including the level of development' of the country. A smart city in Europe or India will have different characteristics compared to a smart city in the Arab world. The Internet of things IoT is defined as an integrated part of the future Internet, which ensures that `things' with identities can communicate and connect to each other. The application of the IoT architecture needs different architecture, leadership, and architect. This research paper aims to explore the principles of designing a smart city by understanding the IoT architecture of the creation of smart cities, especially in the Arab world. The research is documentary research with a case study analysis to understand the principles of smart cities with emphasis on the IoT Architecture. Case studies will be a world example of smart cities that followed IoT architecture platform.