Abstract
Rural communities across the United Kingdom face significant challenges, including demographic changes, limited access to essential services, lack of investment, and economic stagnation. The 'smart village' concept, which emerged from the European Union's rural development initiative, the EU Action for Smart Villages, offers a potential solution to these issues by utilising digital technologies and social innovation. This paper aims to evaluate the challenges and opportunities in revitalising rural infrastructure by initially conducting a systematic literature review. A total of 83 relevant publications were analysed as part of the review to explore the smart village concept, its key initiatives, and potential barriers to implementation. The review revealed a lack of consensus on the precise definition of smart villages, with perspectives ranging from technology-centric approaches to those emphasising human and social capital. Key smart village initiatives include smart energy, healthcare, water management, education, agriculture, and transport solutions. The findings suggest that while the smart village concept can address rural challenges, its implementation in the UK faces several obstacles. These include a lack of national policy, limited awareness among stakeholders, potential digital skills gaps, and the need for significant infrastructure investments. This review's findings will inform the development of a blueprint for sustainable rural development and a comprehensive framework to guide future policy on smart villages in the UK.