// CITY_ASSESSMENT
How smart is Boston?
Boston scores 66.4% against the UN ISO-aligned smart city framework in 2026 — ranked #11 of 213 cities assessed, with every finding traceable to a public source.
Smart score
66.4%
Rank
#11 / 213
Criteria present
49 / 86
Evidence coverage
75.6%
Boston's smart city score by area
8 present · 3 partial · 1 absent · 3 not assessed
8 present · 3 partial · 1 absent
9 present · 1 partial · 0 absent · 3 not assessed
5 present · 4 partial · 1 absent · 1 not assessed
6 present · 1 partial · 5 absent · 1 not assessed
5 present · 1 partial · 1 absent · 1 not assessed
8 present · 3 partial · 3 absent
Where Boston is strong
- ▸Air Quality & Monitoring
- ▸Climate Action & Emissions
- ▸Inclusion & Civic Participation
- ▸Culture, Tourism & Recreation
- ▸Food Security & Urban Agriculture
Where the gaps are
- ▸Public Safety & Emergency
- ▸Education & Digital Skills
- ▸Critical Infrastructure Resilience
- ▸Energy & Smart Grid
- ▸Water & Sanitation
Evidence highlights
Connectivity & ICT Infrastructure · Fibre / high-speed broadband coverage
The City of Boston is actively expanding its fiber network and works with broadband companies to advocate for residents, aiming to improve access to affordable and reliable internet and bridge the digital divide.
https://www.boston.gov/departments/broadband-and-cableConnectivity & ICT Infrastructure · Public Wi-Fi network
Boston operates a free, public Wi-Fi network called 'Wicked Free Wi-Fi,' owned and operated by the City's Department of Innovation and Technology, to advance digital equity goals.
https://www.boston.gov/departments/innovation-and-technology/wicked-free-wi-fiActive & Shared Mobility · Bike / e-scooter sharing scheme
Boston operates a public bike-share system called Bluebikes, which is managed by the City's Boston Bikes department and is mentioned as a transportation option for getting around the city.
https://www.boston.gov/visiting-bostonActive & Shared Mobility · Pedestrianisation / low-traffic areas
Boston implements 'Neighborhood Slow Streets' as a traffic calming program with measures like speed humps and street direction changes, and also hosts 'Open Newbury Street' events where the street is closed to vehicles for pedestrian-only days.
https://www.boston.gov/departments/transportation/neighborhood-slow-streetsAbout this assessment
Boston was assessed against the 86 criteria of the UN ISO-aligned smart city framework on 2026-07-06 by AI agents gathering evidence from official public sources. Each criterion is marked present, partial or absent, and every finding links to where it was found — see how smart cities are measured. Scores refresh continuously as cities publish new evidence.