The basis for the smooth functioning of a smart city is the improvement and intensification of information links in key subsystems - energy, transport, buildings, water supply and public services. The article discusses the possibilities and prospects of introducing various types of energy-saving technologies into the life of smart cities. The authors describe measures for implementing the energy strategy of the Russian Federation, aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of the country's economy, improving the quality of life of the population.

Many countries have been experiencing a crisis in their pension systems for fiscal and demographic reasons. Voluntary pension funds are a way out of the crisis. The depth of the problem lies in the study of social and economic-mathematical aspects in making economic decisions on implementing voluntary contributions. The authors studied sustainable development, considering the assessment of the causal relationship between factors in the development of voluntary pension insurance in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The article analyzes pension system models and studies the experience of the OECD countries. The results of the analysis highlight the most important factors affecting the development of pension systems with an emphasis on voluntary pension insurance mechanisms. The authors propose a conservative, economic, extended economic, and extended intermediate solution for building a set of cause-and-effect models for the development of voluntary pension insurance in the Republic of Kazakhstan based on a survey of a representative sample of citizens in the Republic of Kazakhstan using the QCA method.

In modern conditions, it is interesting to study foresight as an effective tool for identifying new strategic scientific directions. Its purpose is to develop an algorithm for conducting qualitative expertise in the application of the foresight methods with the ability to integrate forecast estimates. Currently, the vast majority of research activities results do not contribute to the innovative development of the state. To solve this problem, it is necessary to ensure a stable systemic relationship between specific sectors of the economy and higher education. The algorithm is developed on the basis of a systematic approach to the foresight methods and the use of the methods of bibliometrics, scientometrics, patent analysis and forecasting. The results and conclusions of this study are: an algorithm has been developed for conducting qualitative examination of the results of scientific activities in order to increase its practical significance, in which the authors propose the foresight methods as the most optimal tool for choosing priority areas of science and technology. Putting this approach into practice will make it possible to increase the efficiency of the foresight methods by both reducing time costs, and rationally using monetary and human resources.