Tools, technologies and systems integration for the smart and sustainable cities to come

This paper introduces contemporary research on smart cities from the special issue of the International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management organised in conjunction with the EERA Joint Programme on Smart Cities. The topic-Tools, technologies and systems integration for the Smart and Sustainable Cities to come – highlights the variety of research within this field. From a starting point in a discussion on smart cities and smart energy systems, the paper goes on to describe new research findings within the wider area of smart cities and smart energy systems starting with cases of transition, moving on to data requirements and data generation for designing transitions and ending with theories and methodologies for designing transitions.