Algorithm-embedded IT applications for an emerging knowledge city: Istanbul, Turkey

• We advocate efficient algorithm-embedded IT applications for knowledge city transformation.
• We provide review of popular algorithm-embedded IT applications in urban areas.
• We classify such application areas regarding management of city infrastructural resources.
• We investigate and compare level of algorithm-embedded IT application use in Istanbul.

As city resources around the world begin to stretch beyond capacity due to ever-increasing population, a major challenge for an emerging knowledge city is to maintain high-quality living conditions for its residents. It is therefore imperative existing city infrastructural resources are used in an optimal manner by minimizing cost and maximizing utility. Such infrastructural resources include transportation networks, electricity, water and natural gas lines, sewers, and waste sites. To that end, algorithm-embedded information technology tools have proven to be tremendously useful for city decision makers, and technologies using algorithm-embedded systems are being used more frequently than ever before. In particular, as one of the emerging knowledge cities in the world, Istanbul has been deploying such applications at various levels for better use of the city’s resources. The purpose of this study is two-fold: classify algorithm-embedded information technology application areas related to management of infrastructural resources in a city in a systematic way, and; provide an up-to-date review of each application area and investigate the level of algorithm-embedded information technology use in Istanbul. The study has implications for the city officials as well as officials of other emerging world knowledge cities regarding the use of existing algorithm-embedded information technology tools in their cities.