With the majority of the world’s populations living in cities, the damaging effects of urbanization on the environment and the various technological advancement of today, Sustainable and Smart Urbanism are becoming prevalent topics in international research. This study investigates the interrelationship between the two concepts within the Bahraini context. The research examines Sustainable Smart Urbanism definitions, targets and indicators in relation to the goals of the Bahraini Government Plan of Action (GPA) and urban sustainability reporting practices in Bahrain. The study results in recommendations to incorporate Sustainable Smart Urbanism Indicators to the GPA to improve the country’s response to global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study suggests using a domain-based indicator framework to report on Sustainable Smart Urbanism and to create different groups and formats for the indicators to serve scientists and the general public, in addition to policymakers. © 2019 Institution of Engineering and Technology. All rights reserved.