This article takes a comprehensive look at the integration of mobile roaming, WiFi4EU and the smart city concept within the European Union in the context of sustainability. These initiatives form key elements of the digital development and transformation of European cities. Starting with a brief look at the functioning of the European Union’s internal market, the article briefly analyzes the objectives of these projects, highlighting their interplay and benefits for citizens. It focuses on the development of smart cities and the importance of digital connectivity in the process of building smart cities. It discusses the WiFi4EU initiative, which provides funding for free public WiFi networks and promotes digital inclusion. It also looks at the core pillars of smart cities, including digital connectivity, efficient transport, environmental protection, innovation and citizen participation. The article discusses the challenges associated with this integration, such as ensuring interoperability of different technological solutions and data privacy. It also highlights the importance of cooperation between city authorities, local communities and European institutions to achieve successful digital urban development. The research emphasizes the economic sustainability implications of these integrated technologies, considering the potential for innovation, job creation and economic growth within the digital and tech sectors. The main method used in the writing process was the analysis method, which was complemented by the comparison and synthesis methods. The final discussion assesses the benefits and challenges that this integration brings for the development of cities and the improvement of the quality of life of citizens. By critically examining the convergence of mobile roaming, WiFi4EU and smart cities in the European Union, this study aims to provide insights into the transformative potential of sustainable connectivity. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on urban development strategies, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that addresses both technological advancements and the imperative of sustainable practices for the benefit of current and future generations.

The integration of Industry 4.0 and automated vehicles into the smart cities concept is a topical issue in the urbanization of cities and technological innovation within cities. As it is a relatively modern issue, many aspects of this field have not yet been explored; as a consequence, this paper is concerned with the search for synergies between Industry 4.0 and automated vehicles in smart city infrastructures. There is a lack of contributions in this field that summarize these synergies in a single article and address a wide range of aspects, including transport, energy, communication, and citizen participation. As the field lacks a complete and clear summary of what is already known, which would help multiple stakeholders, the authors decided to conduct this review. The article elucidates the above-stated aspects through a clear and in-depth literature review, which is complemented by specific examples from practice. Of course, the article also includes a description of the synergy potential and the impact on the inhabitants, the environment, and, last but not least, on the overall city life. The main hypothesis of this article is that the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies and automated vehicles within smart city infrastructure will result in significant improvements in transportation efficiency, resource utilization, and overall urban sustainability. The article discusses the positives and negatives of such integration, highlighting, on the one hand, the benefits in terms of reducing environmental impact and improving citizens’ quality of life, but on the other hand, also highlighting the various ethical, legal, and social issues that such integrations may bring. Several methods have been used within the article, namely analysis, synthesis, comparison, and historical interpretation. The final discussion highlights the benefits, as well as the challenges, that such integration faces and must deal with if it is to be successful. It can be concluded that the synergistic potential of automated vehicles and Industry 4.0 in smart city infrastructure is enormous and that such integration offers promising solutions for enhancing transportation efficiency, energy management, and overall urban sustainability. It is also highlighted in the article that, in order to reap the benefits of such synergies, a wide-ranging collaboration of policymakers, industry stakeholders, and urban planners is needed.

The development of sustainable smart cities is closely linked to the implementation of artificial intelligence in urban services, which opens up new possibilities for efficient resource management, improving the quality of life and strengthening the participation of citizens. At the same time, the question arises as to how legal and strategic frameworks can support the use of artificial intelligence in a way that contributes to environmental, social and economic sustainability in line with the objectives of the European Union. The aim of this scientific study is to examine the interdisciplinary use of artificial intelligence, data management and sustainability at the European Union level, including support instruments such as regulatory initiatives and funding programs, and to assess their implementation in relation to smart cities. Methodologically, the research is based on a legal analysis of key European and national documents, supplemented by descriptive statistics and visualizations of indicators of digitalization and urban sustainability. In the scientific study, we use the methods of synthesis, comparison and abstraction. The results suggest that the legislative and support framework of the European Union can be a significant impetus for the transformation of individual smart cities, but requires effective coordination and strategic management at the level of local governments. The research highlights the need for an integrated legal-managerial approach that will enable the full use of the potential of artificial intelligence in supporting sustainable urban development of cities.

The issue of legal easements is a relatively rarely discussed topic among the professional public, and yet, even today, legal easements create space for the development of smart cities. Legal easements are restrictions on property rights that arise directly from the law, which means that the possible disagreement of the owner of the property concerned is irrelevant. The aim of this scientific study is to provide, based on a study of legislation, case law, and professional and scientific articles, sufficient information on this legal institution, which has its basis in the Civil Code. The scientific study also examines in detail the issue of legal easements and their role in the context of sustainable land use and infrastructure development in smart cities. In the study, we test the stated hypothesis that “Legal easements, as a legal instrument, effectively promote sustainable land use and infrastructure development in smart cities by enabling the integration of renewable energy, eco-mobility and green infrastructure without negatively impacting property rights, thus contributing to reducing conflicts between private property and public interest”. We use a number of scientific methods of research to analyse the current legal situation and the possibilities for the application of legal easements in the context of smart cities, including legal analysis, the comparative method, the method of synthesis, deduction, and historical interpretation. In particular, the methods in question were used to examine, historically describe and compare the current legislation on easements and their use in the management of urban space and infrastructure. The main results of the research include a detailed overview of the current legal status of easements and their limitations, which affect the possibilities of their application in the conditions of smart cities. The results suggest that if easements are effectively implemented they can make a significant contribution to optimising space, regulating access to public services, and protecting natural resources. This tool has the potential to enhance the quality of life in cities and promote sustainable urbanism through adaptive planning and management of urban space.

The rights and obligations of an executive as a top manager of a limited liability company seem to be a long-settled question. However, the opposite is true. We were particularly interested in the question of the rights and obligations of the manager as a statutory body of the most widespread type of business company. A very important issue is the definition of the relationship between the limited liability company and the manager. The reason for this is the fact that it is a business–legal relationship and the protection provided to the executive in relation to the business company is based only on their mutual contractual basis. In addition to the examination of managerial knowledge and skills, we focused primarily on a critical analysis of the legal definition of the rights and obligations of an executive and their responsibility towards a limited liability company. As part of our research, we analyzed extensive jurisprudence, which completed our understanding of the concept of an executive and also defined the framework of not only their actions, but especially their rights and obligations. To achieve our goal, we used several scientific methods designed for the study of law, such as analysis, synthesis, comparison, deduction, and description. We critically evaluated the results of our research and compared the development of Slovak and Czech jurisprudence in the context of its influence on the investigated issue. At the same time, we answered the research question of whether legislative intervention is necessary for the already existing rights and obligations of a manager in relation to their limited liability company. This analysis of the rights and obligations of the manager of a limited liability company has several implications for both managers and companies as a whole, such as managerial autonomy, accountability, responsibility, and the balance of power. The research findings highlighted the significant decision making authority granted to managers. The obligations identified in the analysis emphasized the need for managers to act responsibly and be accountable for their actions. The rights and obligations of managers need to be balanced with the interests of other stakeholders, particularly the company’s members. In conclusion, the critical analysis of the rights and obligations of the manager of a limited liability company, based on the managerial legislative basis, revealed that managers possess decision making authority, profit distribution rights, limited liability protection, and entitlement to compensation. However, they are also obligated to fulfill fiduciary duties, comply with laws and regulations, maintain proper records, and exercise due care. The research underscored the significance of managerial autonomy, accountability, and a balanced exercise of power in a limited liability company. By understanding and adhering to their rights and obligations, managers can effectively navigate their roles while contributing to the success and sustainability of the company

The aim of this review scientific study is to analyse existing scientific literature examining the development of smart cities in the context of effective public administration and digital connectivity in the European Union, with a particular focus on the impact and regulation of artificial intelligence as a key factor in the sustainable transformation of cities. This scientific study also includes an analysis of the scientific treatment of major European initiatives, such as the concept of effective public administration, WiFi4EU, free mobile roaming, Industry 4.0, automated and autonomous vehicles, which together form the framework for digital infrastructure and connectivity in the European Union. Using a combination of analytical, synthetic, comparative and deductive methods, the research examines the interrelationships between these initiatives, their common goals in promoting technological interoperability, social inclusion and environmental sustainability, as well as the challenges they face in terms of governance, ethics and data protection. We primarily analyse freely available scientific literature included in the Web of Science and Scopus databases from 2018 to the present, as well as European Union legislation and European court decisions related to the topic under investigation. The result of our research is a comprehensive overview of scientific literature on the current state of legal regulation of selected components of smart cities, as well as the identification of gaps and opportunities in the management of AI-based smart city systems. Our recommendations also include a proposal for conceptual directions for the development of sustainable, legally compatible and ethically managed digital ecosystems in the European Union.