Journal of Data Analysis and Information Processing, 2019, 7, 118-139 http://www.scirp.org/journal/jdaip ISSN Online: 2327-7203 ISSN Print: 2327-7211 DOI: 10.4236/jdaip.2019.73008 Aug. 15, 2019 118 Journal of Data Analysis and Information Processing Blockchain in Smart Cities: Exploring Possibilities in Terms of Opportunities and Challenges Raed A. Salha 1 , Maher A. El-Hallaq 2 , Abdelkhalek I. Alastal 1 1 Geography and GIS Department, Arts College, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine 2 Civil Engineering Department, Engineering College, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine Abstract The ultimate aim of a smart city is to enhance the quality of life for its resi- dents and businesses through modern technologies in order to reduce resource deterioration and maintain overall costs. From this perspective, blockchain is one of these technologies that has received much attention during the recent years as it offers new alternatives for individuals and institutions in the smart city context. This study aims to explore the potential and contribution of blockchain in smart cities by studying and reviewing the literature of scien- tific research on the concept and fundamentals of blockchain, involving its most practical applications. In addition, it summarizes worldwide examples of success in using blockchain as well as exploring the challenges and oppor- tunities related to this technology in smart cities. Thus, this study provides a useful reference for researchers to review all about the new blockchain tech- nology. Keywords Blockchain Technology, Consensus, Distributed Ledger, Smart Cities, Smart Contracts 1. Introduction The smart city concept can be looked upon as a framework for realization im- plementing a vision of advanced and modern urbanization. Smart cities control technology and utilize existing and planned infrastructure investments to pro- vide a higher quality of living to residents and a conducive investment climate for businesses and to maximize resource utilization and transparency for gov- ernments. Smart cities can be considered an organic integration of systems, IT How to cite this paper: Salha, R.A., El-Hallaq, M.A. and Alastal, A.I. (2019) Blockchain in Smart Cities: Exploring Pos- sibilities in Terms of Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Data Analysis and Information Processing, 7, 118-139. https://doi.org/10.4236/jdaip.2019.73008 Received: July 1, 2019 Accepted: August 12, 2019 Published: August 15, 2019 Copyright © 2019 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access