C2IoT: A framework for Cloud-based Context-aware Internet of Things services for smart cities

The smart city vision was born by the integration of ICT in the day to day city management operations and citizens lives, owing to the need for novel and smart ways to manage the cities resources; making them more efficient, sustainable and transparent. However, the understanding of the crucial elements to this integration and how they can benefit from each other proves difficult and unclear. In this article, we investigate the intricate synergies between different technologies and paradigms involved in the smart city vision, to help design a robust framework, capable of handling the challenges impeding its successful implementation. To this end, we propose a context-aware centered approach to present a holistic view of a smart city as viewed from the different angles (Cloud, IoT, Big Data). We also propose a framework encompassing elements from the different enablers, leveraging their strengths to build and develop smart-x applications and services.