The Role of Smart Technology and Industry 4.0 in Shaping Smart Cities

Vinay Kandpal, PhD, is a finance expert and educator who teaches and mentors students at Graphic Era University, India, where he is a Professor of Management Studies. A prolific researcher and author with over 18 years of experience in academia and industry, he has published more than 60 research papers and several books on sustainability, fintech, smart cities, risk management, circular economy, and financial inclusion. He has presented his work at international conferences and institutions and serves on the editorial and review boards of several well-regarded journals. Dr. Kandpal holds a DLitt (Post Doc) and a PhD in Finance from Kumaun University, India, and is also a Post Doctorate Scholar of PG Administracao-Paulista University, UNIP, Brazil. Manoj Kumar Nallapaneni, PhD, is a Transdisciplinary Energy and Sustainability Engineer working at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK). He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Swiss School of Business and Management, Geneva. His research involves experimental, real-time empirical climate-specific studies mainly focusing on building systems that are sustainable and resilient across critical infrastructure sectors by adopting nexus thinking and systems innovation with an emphasis on circular business models and digitalization. His contributions in topics like clean energy and environmental systems, food-energy-water-waste nexus, industrial symbiosis, waste valorization and material passports, carbon accounting, and pricing are notable. Dr. Nallapaneni earned his PhD degree in Digital Circular Economy and Circular Power System from the School of Energy and Environment, CityUHK, Hong Kong. Deep Chandra, PhD, is an experienced banker turned academician. He retired as a Vice President from Nainital Bank Ltd., after serving the bank for 33 years. He is now working with the Amrapali Group of Institutions, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India, as an Associate Professor for the last six years. He has exhibited skills in people management, business development, and public relations throughout his service tenure and presently imparts practical knowledge to management students. He is also a certificated associate of the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance.