This article examines the current state of legal approaches to defining criteria and indicators of smart city development as reflected in international soft law instruments, including ITU recommendations, ISO standards, the World Bank’s Global Smart City Partnership (GSCP) program, and OECD documents on urban policy principles, support for smart cities, and inclusive growth. Particular attention is given to the evolution of European Union law concerning the principles of smart city development and key performance indicators, with a focus on the analysis of relevant EU secondary legislation addressing the digitalization of local governance and urban life. The article also compares international and European approaches to smart city standardization, highlighting their similarities and differences. This comparative analysis may serve as a useful reference for national legislators in developing policy and legal frameworks for smart city elaboration.
smart sustainable city; international soft law of smart cities; international standards of smart cities; Key Performance Indicators (KPI); EU Smart Cities Law; European KPI for smart cities