Bridging the gap: Strategies for smart city development in Al-Kharj to improve healthcare, education and employment.

This article investigates strategies to transform the Al-Kharj region in Saudi Arabia into a smart city, focusing on the healthcare, education, and employment (HEE) sectors. Using a dynamic panel model from 2010 to 2023 with data from 121 organizations, the study identifies infrastructure investment, technology adoption, sustainability initiatives, and citizen engagement as key factors influencing smart HEE development. Surveys of policy-makers and residents reveal significant gaps in awareness and strategic planning, highlighting challenges such as unclear governance, funding constraints, and limited community involvement. The authors recommend raising public awareness, fostering partnerships, empowering professionals through training, addressing access disparities, and establishing evaluation mechanisms to support Al-Kharj's transition. The study positions Al-Kharj as a potential model for rural smart city initiatives aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals.