A Five-Layer Open-Source IoT Platform Architecture for Smart City Applications

The rapid growth of smart cities has highlighted the need for robust, flexible, and cost-effective platforms that can support the integration and management of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, data streams, and analytics pipelines. However, recent studies have revealed a significant gap in the availability of open-source IoT platforms tailored for smart cities, creating a barrier for researchers and developers seeking to experiment, innovate, and validate connected urban applications. This article proposes a lightweight yet comprehensive open-source smart city platform architecture to address this gap. By integrating essential components such as real-time data ingestion, big data storage, messaging protocols, and data analytics, the platform offers a solid foundation for developing and testing smart city solutions. The architecture focuses on modularity, interoperability, and scalability, ensuring that the system can grow alongside the demands of urban environments. We aim to foster an open, collaborative ecosystem where researchers and developers can freely access, modify, and enhance the platform, driving forward the next generation of smart city innovations. The proposed solution serves as a bridge between theoretical research and practical deployment, reducing barriers to entry and accelerating the development of smarter, more sustainable urban systems.