Unleashing the Potential of Smart Cities: A Web Mapping Application for Türkiye

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are powerful and dynamic systems that enable effective creation, management, analysis, and mapping of a wide range of data. GIS is widely utilized by national and local authorities, private enterprises, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and experts due to its ability to integrate spatial data with descriptive attributes. Moreover, GIS plays a significant role in the context of smart cities, representing the future of sustainable, efficient, and livable urban development. The integration of GIS in smart cities highlights the importance of spatial analysis by enabling a holistic approach to urban development. The term “smart city” has a broader meaning beyond technological advancements, as spatial analysis plays a crucial role in understanding urban complexities and optimizing resource allocation. To unleash the potential of GIS in smart cities, urban stakeholders at all levels need to embrace spatial perspective and utilize GIS effectively. However, there are challenges such as the lack of technical skills and the use of costly software, which may discourage individuals from utilizing GIS. This study designs a free and user-friendly web mapping application that covers provinces and districts specific to Türkiye. The objective is to enable individuals without GIS knowledge to easily transform spatially featured data into accessible outputs. The absence of such a web mapping application in Türkiye highlights the innovative nature of this study. We believe this application will significantly contribute to enhancing the spatial perspectives of local administrators, stakeholders, experts, and individuals in Türkiye, thereby promoting the advancement of smart cities.