This study explores the challenges of rapid urban population growth and examines how Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be utilized to foster the development of smart cities. It specifically investigates how the integration of ICT can enhance urban resilience, promote sustainability, and improve citizens' quality of life. The research relies on a literature review, appraisals of 15 different Smart City software applications, and case studies from 30 cities across various sustainability and resilience domains. Thematic analysis of these case studies evaluates the benefits of smart city applications in six key areas: governance, mobility, economy, environment, living, and people. The findings highlight that rapid urbanization presents multifaceted challenges such as traffic congestion, disaster management, environmental degradation, community engagement, and economic disparities. However, adopting smart city software applications, particularly in data analytics, IoT, urban mobility, energy management, and citizen engagement platforms, plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. The study also reveals that the benefits of smart city software align with the action areas of smart cities, contributing to more sustainable and resilient urban environments. The research offers practical insights for urban designers and planners, emphasizing the importance of contextual factors in the effectiveness of smart city initiatives. Overall, the study advances the understanding of how smart city technologies influence and contribute to urban sustainability and resilience, providing valuable insights for future urban development practices.This study explores the challenges of rapid urban population growth and examines how Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be utilized to foster the development of smart cities. It specifically investigates how the integration of ICT can enhance urban resilience, promote sustainability, and improve citizens' quality of life. The research relies on a literature review, appraisals of 15 different Smart City software applications, and case studies from 30 cities across various sustainability and resilience domains. Thematic analysis of these case studies evaluates the benefits of smart city applications in six key areas: governance, mobility, economy, environment, living, and people. The findings highlight that rapid urbanization presents multifaceted challenges such as traffic congestion, disaster management, environmental degradation, community engagement, and economic disparities. However, adopting smart city software applications, particularly in data analytics, IoT, urban mobility, energy management, and citizen engagement platforms, plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. The study also reveals that the benefits of smart city software align with the action areas of smart cities, contributing to more sustainable and resilient urban environments. The research offers practical insights for urban designers and planners, emphasizing the importance of contextual factors in the effectiveness of smart city initiatives. Overall, the study advances the understanding of how smart city technologies influence and contribute to urban sustainability and resilience, providing valuable insights for future urban development practices.