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What characterizes the ideal urban futures that are envisioned and promulgated within smart city initiatives today? This paper argues for the usefulness of utopia as a lens to examine contemporary urban development projects, specifically smart cities. Drawing on scholars upholding utopianism as key for critical scholarship, the paper explores narratives around smartness in Stockholm, Sweden, and the utopian logics embedded within these narratives. Based on an in-depth case study in Stockholm, the research points to utopian logics of visibility , predictability and controllability within smart city initiatives. These further point to a common tendency where planning is sought perfected–and believed to approach perfection through the supplantation of human planners by smart technologies. As urban planning is faced with pressing urban challenges and dwindling resources, "mere" brain capacity largely appears as too limited and as necessary to compliment with computerized intelligence. • Using utopia as a lens, this paper explores the smart city initiative in Stockholm and the idealized futures it promotes. • Methodologically, the paper draws on extensive empirical research conducted using "Utopia as Method." • The paper points to "smart Stockholm" being characterized by utopian logics of visibility , predictability and controllability. • Together, these point to a tendency where planning is sought perfected through the integration of computerized intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While people's social backgrounds clearly shape their adoption of digital technology and the Internet, their urban lifestyles and place of residence better explain their digital activities when they are online, and how they use technology. Most studies investigating individuals' use of digitization have neglected the effects of the physical built environment and the daily life of the community. Addressing this gap, this paper places digital practices in the socio-spatial world, and conceptualizes the term "urban digital lifestyle," which refers to the dynamic relationships among three dimensions: (1) the user's socioeconomic status, (2) the user's residency, with a focus on the locale's socio-spatial characteristics, and (3) the user's digital practices. Empirically, this paper uses a mixture of methods to analyze the digital usage of residents in four neighborhoods in Tel Aviv. The methods used are neighborhood prototype analysis, digital practices survey (n = 490), and spatial and GIS analyses. Although the results may at first glance support the argument that education and socioeconomic status have significant influence on digital practices, these practices also reflect many other factors associated with the urban lifestyle. Thus, locales, places and neighborhoods remain crucial socio-spatial categories that have a major influence on daily life in the digital age. • Conceptualization of Urban Digital Lifestyle (UDL) offers a new temporal reading of digital differences in a city. • UDL is a helpful category for juxtaposing user's socioeconomic status, user's digital practices, and locale's sociospatial characteristics. • UDL is a helpful tool to identify (1) types of digital lifestyles, and (2) clustering of these digital lifestyles in geographical context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the asymmetric spatial spillover effects of digital development across different types of cities. The results of the two-regime spatial Durbin models, using the panel data of 279 cities in China from 2011 to 2021, reveal the spatial polarization phenomenon in digitalization, where stronger cities such as smart cities, provincial capitals, and port cities become more dominant while weaker cities struggle to catch up. Increasing public R&D support leads to positive spatial spillover effects but exacerbates the spatial "Matthew effect" of digitalization. Additionally, marketization plays a moderating role by enhancing resource allocation efficiency and suppressing negative spatial spillover effects. Higher levels of marketization result in smaller digital gaps between cities. The findings provide valuable insights for decision-makers and stakeholders seeking to foster balanced and inclusive urban development in the digital age. • The digital competition landscape follows the Matthew effect, leading to an increasing trend of spatial polarization. • Stronger cities like smart cities, provincial capitals, and port cities dominate, while weaker cities struggle to keep up. • Increased public R&D support exacerbates the spatial "Matthew effect," widening the gap between strong and weak cities. • Marketization serves to alleviate negative spatial spillover effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines whether implementing the smart cities initiative (SCI) can effectively uphold children's right to healthy growth. Using a time-varying difference-in-differences model and a data set collected from 2638 counties in China from 2005 to 2018, we empirically examine the causal relationship between SCI and child growth for the first time. The results show that SCI has a beneficial impact on mitigating the prevalence of stunting and wasting. This conclusion remains valid after various robustness checks, including propensity score matching, placebo testing, and instrumental variable method. Further heterogeneity analysis reveals that SCI substantially reduces the risk of growth failure in children, particularly in the eastern region and cities with higher administrative levels, and boys are more positively affected than girls. Finally, we find that SCI can facilitate the healthy growth of children through three primary effects: economic development, reduced pollution exposure risk, and optimized public service quality. This study provides valuable insights into the impact of SCI on safeguarding children's health and establishes a foundation for informed decision-making to promote child-friendly growth spaces in China and other developing countries. • We examine the causal relationship between smart cities initiative (SCI) and child growth. • We use a difference-in-differences model and a data set from 2638 counties in China. • SCI has a beneficial impact on mitigating the prevalence of stunting and wasting. • SCI reduces the risk of growth failure of boys more positively than girls. • Three influence channels are economic development, reduced pollution exposure risk, and optimized public service quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste collection bins with smart capabilities play a crucial role in contemporary urban landscapes, forming integral components of efficient and sustainable waste management practices worldwide. This paper conducts a thorough review of state-of-the-art smart bins, emphasizing advanced features such as material separation and integrated automation. The analysis, based on 79 selected articles from a pool of over 1400 publications, underscores critical gaps in the existing literature. While a widely accepted common ground that outlines the definition for smart bins exists, in the form of waste disposal containers incorporating functionalities such as fill-level monitoring and IoT connectivity, this research identifies substantial areas for improvement. Specifically, material separation practices, including automated waste segregation, and the overall maturity of conceptual frameworks present significant challenges, hindering the optimization of resource recovery essential for pioneering circular economy models. Moreover, a lack of uniformity and standardization in automation techniques is apparent across studies. Various articles propose divergent approaches, each with distinct advantages and drawbacks. Notably, no unified solution emerges that could harness collective strengths and mitigate shortcomings. Identifying these issues is paramount for advancing the field and tackle sustainability-related challenges within modern smart cities. • Exploration of the utilization of smart waste bins in urban settings. • Review of sensing and actuation capabilities in smart bins. • Highlight of limitations in material segregation automation. • Proposal of holistic concept for improved resource recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review conducts a systematic analysis of a total of 90 Smart City articles from an urban context perspective based on the 'Urban Engagement and Impact Analytical Framework'. Many previous smart city reviews have been conducted through bibliometric analysis from a holistic viewpoint, finding the performance, trend and focused area of smart city research. Therefore, the principal objective of this review is to explore the gap in the adequacy of smart city research engagement with diverse urban contexts, to provide a smart urban environment focusing on Smart Urbanism. This paper highlights three principal aspects of each article; 1) Whose perspective that Smart City research mostly conducted by, 2) The depth of Urban context engagement conducted during Smart City development, 3) Which part of urban development is particularly affected by. These three dimensions are significant factors correlated to each other, that form healthy smart urbanism. By doing so, the findings from this review will lead the smart city research to a practical intervention in urban planning through engagement with the insightful urban contexts. This will offer a positive impact on developing a sustainable urban livelihood for the inhabitants by extending the view of the smart city development towards Smart urbanism within the urban context viewpoint. • In-depth urban contextual engagement is lacking in current Smart City research. • An Extension view of Smart City embracing balanced urban context is essential. • Taxonomy analytical framework is proposed for the review analysis. • The practical intervention urges for Smart City growth as urban planning. • Active engagement of scholars from architecture and urban planning is significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent decline of global progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the post-COVID-19 era necessitates immediate action in the field of smart cities. This paper proposes a new framework to assess the performance of global smart cities, emphasizing the vitality and potential of sustainability-oriented smartness for global smart cities, as well as the role of benchmarking cities on a global scale. The framework centered around the principles of "humanity-technology-sustainability" tackles critical challenges related to feasibility, interoperability, and flexibility in smart city assessments. By integrating academic perceptions with quantitative performance results, the proposed framework aims to facilitate the advancement of sustainable smart city through urban comparisons and the expansion of global visions within the smart city ecosystem in a post-pandemic future. In each of the past three years, twenty globally renowned cities for smart city development are assessed under this framework and published on UNPAN (United Nations Public Administration Network) website. These assessments aim to draw the attention of more cities to the factors that contribute to advancing smart cities under the new world development goals, to identify benchmark cities across different dimensions, and to assist decision-makers in prioritizing future smart city development initiatives. • SDGs call for urgent responses in the field of smart cities in the Post-pandemic era • The multivocal in sustainability makes the goal of sustainable smart city ambiguous • Bridge the gap between sustainability vision and sustainability goal in smart city • The new smart city assessment framework based on "humanity-technology-sustainability" • 20 global metropolia as smart city benchmarks are assessed under the framework [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human capital is crucial in the development of smart cities and directly impacts quality of life. Smart cities are not made only through their infrastructures and applied technologies but also by their residents' digital capabilities. In this paper, we analyze the relationship between citizens' digital capabilities and their perception of quality of life. Specifically, we use data from a survey in Spain in 2023 from citizens residing in cities with populations exceeding 100,000 with responses from 587 individuals. The results reveal a significant correlation between the level of digital skills and various factors determining quality of life. Residents in densely populated urban areas show higher levels of social happiness when they possess greater digital capabilities. Additionally, one of the questions captured the citizens' digital capabilities, enabling the identification of three clusters. These clusters exhibit significant differences in access to essential services, job opportunities, and levels of social interaction. Residents with more advanced digital skills benefit from greater availability of services and higher-paying jobs, although they experience lower levels of social interaction. Therefore, we demonstrate the fundamental importance of human capital and digital ability as critical components in the construction of smart cities and the improvement of social happiness. • We analyze the relationship between citizens' digital capabilities and their perception of quality of life. • We use a multifactorial national survey for Spain in the year 2023. • The results reveal a significant correlation between the level of digital skills and various quality of life factors. • Residents in densely populated urban areas with greater digital capabilities show higher levels of social happiness. • Human capital and digital ability are critical in the smart cities construction and social happiness improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the concept of the smart city has gained growing popularity. As cities worldwide have set the aim to harness digital technologies to their development, increasing focus came to lie on the potential challenges and concerns related to data-driven urban practices. In the existing literature, these challenges and concerns have been dominantly approached from a pragmatic approach based on the a priori assumed 'goodness' of the smart city; for a small group of critics, the very notion of the smart city is questionable. This paper takes the middle-way by interrogating how municipal and civil society stakeholders problematize the challenges and concerns related to data-driven practices in five Dutch cities, and how they act on these concerns in practice. The lens of problematization posits that the ways of problematizing data-driven practices contribute to their actual enactment, and that this is an inherently political process. The case study shows that stakeholders do not only perceive practical challenges but are widely aware of and are (partly) pro-actively engaging with perceived normative-ethical and societal concerns, leading to different (sometimes inter-related) technological, legal/political, organizational, informative and participative strategies. Nonetheless, the explicit contestation of smart city policies through these strategies remains limited in scope. The paper argues that more research is needed to uncover the structural-institutional dynamics that facilitate and/or prevent the repoliticization of smart city projects. • The lens of problematization offers insights into the politics of smart city-building. • Five strategies addressing smart city-related concerns are identified. • The explicit contestation of smart city policies remains limited in scope. • Further research is needed into how context-specific factors shape smart city-building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equity and inclusion continue to pose significant challenges for many cities. Disparities in access to resources and facilities among the residents of these areas are often influenced by factors such as geographical location and income level, among others. Therefore, creating a quantitative basis to detect spatial and socio-economic inequities in residents' access to vital infrastructures is crucial for advancing smart cities. This paper introduces a novel measure of Spatial Inequity that is based on 1) computing building-level scores for each building in terms of access to facilities, and 2) comparing the distribution of the scores of these facilities using the Gini coefficient. The proposed building-level scores will enable the identification of GIS hotspots at a high resolution. Then, the Gini-based measure will facilitate a comparison of the distribution of the scores, and determine if they are evenly distributed and equitably accessible. The Gini coefficient was highest (0.89) for waste management and elderly care, and lowest (0.56) for hospitals, reflecting varying levels of inequality. This study applies this Spatial Ineqity methodological framework to Hong Kong, a representative of Highly Dense Cities. The framework benchmarks urban infrastructure, identifies hotspots, and selects interventions for equitable urban development. • Novel approach identifies spatial inequities via building-level scores & Gini coefficient. • Precise hotspot identification enhances targeted interventions in dense urban areas. • Applied methodology in Hong Kong offers insights into urban development complexities. • Gini coefficient unveils varying degrees of inequality across essential services. • Geospatial analysis & quantitative measures support equitable urban resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper argues that sustainable Smart Cities cannot be delivered by profit-driven visions, but through a process that integrates the diverse aptitudes and needs of the city stakeholders. The study uses mixed methods to examine democratic participation in governance and the emerging notion of Smart City Citizenship in the context of India. Benchmarking and assessment of 21 smart cities reveals the existing participatory processes being "tokenistic" and a substantial deficit in democratic stakeholder participation mechanisms. A deeper assessment in Kochi and Nagpur exposes the existing barriers to citizen participation and reveals that the capacities of capable stakeholders and citizen groups can be channelised more effectively. This study promotes advancing the notion of 'citizenship' beyond the market to the commons. It suggests transforming urban governance into a more accountable and collaborative governance model with a stronger role and power to local government, residents, and democratic stakeholders. • Benchmarking and assessment of 21 smart cities and case studies of Kochi and Nagpur reveal that the existing participatory processes being "tokenistic" and a substantial deficit in democratic stakeholder participation mechanisms • The cities need to break the barriers of bureaucracy, corruption, marketisation, and capacity limitations. • This study promotes advancing the notion of 'citizenship' beyond the market to the commons. • The study suggests transforming urban governance into a more accountable and collaborative governance model with a stronger role and power to local government, residents, and democratic stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An understanding of how modern Open Data Ecosystems (ODEs) work is critical in the context of current trends towards sustainability and smartness, while is seen to be an asset to support urban governance and development, in coordinating actions, and fostering civic engagement. This paper aims to establish such understanding by analyzing the contextual patterns, platforms, and components shaping sustainable ODEs by employing platform theory. This study explores and compares characteristics, similarities, differences, and best approaches in 19 cities across 8 countries. In this study we (1) identify 50 patterns that influence and shape sustainable ODEs and their platforms, i.e., Open Data Platform Ecosystems (ODPEs); (2) explore the relationships between platforms and other ODPEs components by developing a respective model, and identifying internal platforms and other components; (3) empirically validate the conceptual findings of five types of ODPEs presented in the literature, redefining them from the conceptual to real-life implementation of the respective components in sample cities; (4) considering the experience gained during the study with respect to the ODPEs and external pressures and environments that shape or influence them, we define 12 recommendations for policy planning and urban governance of more sustainable ODEs. • Identifies 50 patterns that influence and shape sustainable ODEs in smart cities • Defines the Open Data Platform Ecosystem (ODPE) and its components and relationships • Empirically validates the conceptual findings of five types of smart city ODPEs • Defines 12 recommendations for urban development of more sustainable ODEs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is focused on sustainability assessment for some of the most prominent global megacities: London, New York, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Beijing, Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo. The alternative city rankings are compared and linkages between different sustainability and smart city dimensions are explored. The paper applied ELECTRE III multi-criteria decision aid tool to a panel of twenty indicators. The proposed approach allowed considering performance under four different policy priorities: environmental, economic, social and smart, changing the focus of the sustainability assessment. The results have shown that Singapore dominates the sustainability rankings under environmental policy priorities. Tokyo leads under economic and social priorities, and London and Tokyo – under smart city priorities. The worst performing cities were Shanghai, Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro. The paper examines the innovative sustainability strategy and new governance structures that led Singapore to become the most sustainable city under environmental priorities and offers recommendations for the lower-ranking cities of Shanghai, Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro. The assessment could be a valuable tool for policy makers and investors, and could help identify linkages between different sustainability dimensions, highlighting best practices as well as strategic opportunities in cities with sustainability potential. • The article reviews analytical methods for urban sustainability assessment; • The interdisciplinary linkages among various sustainability dimensions are traced among 140+ cities with a special emphasis on megacities; • The multicriteria sustainability assessment is conducted for 14 global megacities under environmental, economic, social and smart priorities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cities are increasingly turning towards specialized technologies to address issues related to society, ecology, morphology and many others. The emerging concept of Smart Cities highly encourages this prospect by promoting the incorporation of sensors and Big Data through the Internet of Things (IoT). This surge of data brings new possibilities in the design and management of cities just as much as economic prospects. While Big Data processing through Artificial Intelligence (AI) can greatly contribute to the urban fabric, sustainability and liveability dimensions however must not be overlooked in favour of technological ones. This paper reviews the urban potential of AI and proposes a new framework binding AI technology and cities while ensuring the integration of key dimensions of Culture, Metabolism and Governance; which are known to be primordial in the successful integration of Smart Cities for the compliance to the Sustainable Development Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda. This paper is aimed towards Policy Makers, Data Scientists and Engineers who are looking at enhancing the integration of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Smart Cities with an aim to increase the liveability of the urban fabric while boosting economic growth and opportunities. Highlights • Smart Cities are gaining popularity and the Internet of Things (IoT) is leading to the generation of massive amounts of Data. • Big Data can be better managed through Artificial Intelligence processes and render faster and more intelligent systems • Technology must however not be the sole focus of Smart Cities as we may lose in human dimensions • Technology must support liveability dimensions to ensure Resilience, Safety and Sustainability as prescribed by the SDG 11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract City managers need indicators for target setting, performance assessment, monitoring, management and decision-making purposes. The choice of the most suitable indicator framework is crucial, but difficult, as it requires expert knowledge. To help cities in their choice, this paper compares seven recently published indicator standards for Smart sustainable cities. A taxonomy was developed to evaluate each of their 413 indicators against five conceptual urban focuses (types of urban sustainability and smartness), ten sectoral application domains (energy, transport, ICT, economy, etc.) and five indicator types (input, process, output, outcome, impact). The results clearly discriminate between indicator standards suited for evaluating the implementation of predominantly smart city approaches versus standards more focused on sustainability assessment. A further distinction is possible in standards almost fully oriented towards impacts reached, and standards that allow for progress evaluation according to steps in the implementation process. Some standards provide a narrow focus on output indicators evaluating the progress in implementing smart urban ICT solutions (e.g. number of smart meters installed). Cities are encouraged to complement such evaluations with impact indicators that demonstrate the effects of those solutions. This paper provides guidance for city managers and policy makers to select the indicators and standard that best correspond to their assessment need and goals, and align with their stage in Smart sustainable city implementation. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • 7 city indicator standards (413 indicators) analyzed and compared • Clear differences in focus on sustainability or smartness and the role of ICT • Some standards focus on short-term evaluation of efficiency in smart city deployment. • Others allow evaluation of progress in steps, and achieved (sustainability) impacts. • Guidance for choice of an indicator standard that best suits your goal and need [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Smartphones present new forms of spatiality and sociality for cities worldwide. The sudden outburst in smartphone technologies has revolutionised human relations creating new possibilities of encounter and connectivity. This paper examines people's smartphone usage patterns and highlights how this is increasing human vulnerabilities in cities with resultant wider societal implications. Drawing on the theory of vulnerability, Hofstede's cultural dimension theory and carrying out semi-structured interviews in the United Kingdom and Ghana, the paper reveals that the current scale of usage and addiction to smartphones and social media are fostering emerging forms of everyday vulnerabilities. Victimisation, privacy breach, home emergencies and road accidents are prevalent vulnerabilities in both Accra and London. By comparing participants' smartphone usage patterns and their motives for adopting or ignoring certain social media practices, the study illustrates how the concept of attitudinal vulnerability extends our understanding of Hofstede's theory of collectivism and individualism. While the finding from Accra complicates Hofstede's collectivism label as there seems to be a loss of genuine sense of care and people-centeredness among participants it confirms individualism tendencies among the participants in London though some tendencies of 'virtual collectivism' were observed. In conclusion, the study emphasises how significant behavioural changes among smartphone users can reduce human-induced vulnerabilities in cities. By so doing, we add weight to the literature that focuses on the importance of developing context-specific cutting-edge ICT policies vis-à-vis building smart, safe and sustainable cities. Highlights • The scale of usage and addiction to smartphones and social media are fostering emerging forms of everyday vulnerabilities • Victimisation, home and road accidents and loss of genuine sense of care are key aspects of smartphone vulnerabilities • Personal traits and lifestyle are key factors that influence SMP usage patterns, human vulnerabilities and emergency response • Smartphones and social media are altering the notions of individualism and collectivism thereby affecting cultural identities • ICT policies should be cross-cutting and people-centered in order to address risks and promote inclusive and smart cities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cities worldwide are attempting to transform themselves into smart cities. Recent cases and studies show that a key factor in this transformation is the use of urban big data from stakeholders and physical objects in cities. However, the knowledge and framework for data use for smart cities remain relatively unknown. This paper reports findings from an analysis of various use cases of big data in cities worldwide and the authors' four projects with government organizations toward developing smart cities. Specifically, this paper classifies the urban data use cases into four reference models and identifies six challenges in transforming data into information for smart cities. Furthermore, building upon the relevant literature, this paper proposes five considerations for addressing the challenges in implementing the reference models in real-world applications. The reference models, challenges, and considerations collectively form a framework for data use for smart cities. This paper will contribute to urban planning and policy development in the modern data-rich economy. Highlights • We analyze and classify urban data use cases into four reference models. • We identify six challenges in transforming data into information for smart cities. • We give five considerations to address the challenges in implementing the models. • The challenges and considerations are based on four action research projects with government. • Our findings can aid urban planning and policy development in a data-rich economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The convergence of technology and the city is commonly referred to as the ‘smart city’. It is seen as a possible remedy for the challenges that urbanisation creates in the age of global climate change, and as an enabler of a sustainable and liveable urban future. A review of the abundant but fragmented literature on smart city theories and practices, nevertheless, reveals that there is a limited effort to capture a comprehensive understanding on how the complex and multidimensional nature of the drivers of smart cities are linked to desired outcomes. The paper aims to develop a clearer understanding on this new city model by identifying and linking the key drivers to desired outcomes, and then intertwining them in a multidimensional framework. The methodological approach of this research includes a systematic review of the literature on smart cities, focusing on those aimed at conceptual development and provide empirical evidence base. The review identifies that the literature reveals three types of drivers of smart cities—community, technology, policy—which are linked to five desired outcomes—productivity, sustainability, accessibility, wellbeing, liveability, governance. These drivers and outcomes altogether assemble a smart city framework, where each of them represents a distinctive dimension of the smart cities notion. This paper helps in expanding our understanding beyond a monocentric technology focus of the current common smart city practice. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Determines the current state of conceptual understanding of smart cities • Highlights the key smart city drivers and desired outcomes • Generates insights into expanding our understanding on smart cities • Develops a comprehensive multidimensional smart city framework • Intertwines smart city drivers with desired outcomes in a multidimensional framework [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present contribution analyses the Smart City Mission launched in the year 2015 in India from an institutional perspective and examines how it is mobilized for coordinated action. Relying on theoretical guidance provided by Ostrom's (2005) 'Institutional Analysis and Development' (IAD) framework and González-Arellano's (2022) and Scott's (2008) formulation of 'Institutional Construction of Futures of Cities', we analyse a corpus of empirical data to suggest that SC has historical precedents in the way it is institutionalized. Further, to substantiate our findings, a structured literature review of empirical contributions (34 nos.) within the SCOPUS database is undertaken. In conceptual terms, the anticipatory praxis of Smart City Mission leverages the institutional structure of doing flagship programmes and a cultural-cognitive affirmation of neutrality in data-driven governance. The initiative blurs the political city as the action arenas of structuring SC initiatives at the local levels lack operational rules to construct desired outcomes. The paper argues for a need to make the action-to-outcome linkage legible and endow agency to participants to act and control the outcomes by framing collective choice rules. Strengthening action arenas at the city level emboldens the capacity to envision collaborative futures and bridge the gap between anticipation and experience. • The flagship architecture inscribes longstanding socio-spatial inequalities and constrains the collective agency • Smart City Mission blurs the political city at the local levels due to lack of action-outcome linkages • Disproportionate power is vested with the process holders (bureaucrats/consultants) to delineate Smart City outcomes • Smart City Mission valorizes neoliberal ethos and a strong centralized state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, we have witnessed an ongoing and interrelated combination of smart city implementation and tourism trends. The current development of cities integrates technological implementation, the adoption of social media, and "smart" practices to interact with users and tourists, influencing their travel choices by offering a highly technological and customized environment. The objective of the study is to examine the impact of digital technology implementation and social media platforms in cities on tourism flow. Based on the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) approach and relying on panel data considering 20 Italian smart city projects between 2011 and 2021, this paper demonstrates the extent of the relationship between digital technology implementation embedded in smart city development and tourist flow. Moreover, it also considers the effect of the amplitude of social media platforms adopted, which positively impacts this relationship. Thus, our findings suggest that digital technology implementation in cities generally influences the interplay between smart city and tourism trajectories. Additionally, a city's ability to respond to and implement the newest and trending social media significantly influences its local tourist attractiveness. • The digital development of cities and their responsiveness to social media influence interactions with tourist flows. • Smart cities with advanced digital technology implementation are more likely to interact and attract tourists. • The amplitude of social media platforms in smart cities positively moderates the relationship between the city's technological development and tourists. • Social media act as a bridge between smart city practices and users, influencing their interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human mobility is of importance in supporting smart cities, urban planning and constructions of resilient environments. Previous studies on dominant mobility models (i.e., gravity and radiation models) rarely describe the refined spatiotemporal process of human mobility flow forces especially within city. To address this gap, this paper proposes a spatiotemporal flow force model (FFM) of sink/source human mobilities within city, which is derived from Navier-Stokes equation in the field of fluid mechanics. The FFM model outperforms the gravity and radiation models in modeling the refined spatiotemporal flow force process of source/sink human mobilities, in the aspect of intensity and direction of mobility flow force. Comparison results show that the gravity and radiation models in the source mobility scenario can give a rough force estimation about the total outflow from source mobility areas while without the capability of explaining the specific directions of mobility flow from source mobility areas. Pearson correlation coefficient between the intensity results of the two models and those of FFM range from 0.65 to 0.90 and direction differences between the results of the two models and FFM respectively show no clear regularity. In the sink mobility scenario, the direction of mobility flows can be estimated well by the gravity and radiation models while the intensity of mobility flow between small-scale areas within cities is susceptible to inaccuracies. Pearson correlation coefficient ranges from 0.13 to 0.59 and direction differences follow a stepped distribution from high to low within the range of 0° to 180°. In addition, the potential field of human mobility flow force provides a powerful tool for visually analyzing mobility flows within cities. This proposed model enriches human mobility models and is generalizable in supporting smart cities, urban planning, and constructions of resilient environments in terms of the refined spatiotemporal process of mobility flow force. • A spatiotemporal flow force model (FFM) of sink/source human mobilities within city is proposed. • Gravity and radiation models fail to explain specific directions of mobility flow from source mobility areas within city. • Mobility flow intensity between small-scale areas modeled by gravity and radiation models is susceptible to inaccuracies. • FFM model outperforms the gravity and radiation models in intensity and direction of mobility flow force. • The proposed model is generalizable in supporting smart cities, urban planning, and resilient environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focusses on the concept of a smart city and its specific components in relation to size of the city. Smart cities are a topic whose key importance is being increasingly recognised across both academic disciplines and urban planning. The idea of a smart city is a dream of urban planners all over the world, and a subject of many research and business initiatives as well as policy debates. As cities vary considerably in size, it is important to ask if the size influences the level of selected indicators of smart cities. Our main presumption is that the development level of indicators of smart cities varies in cities of different size. Our scientific objective is to find a simple understandable model linking the categorical variable “city size” to a group of smart city indicators. Our data set contains 26 smart city indicators for 158 European smart cities, divided into two sizes: medium-sized cities and larger cities. We draw from the methodology of “European Smart Cities” elaborated by the Vienna University of Technology (Project ID: 314704 ) that classify European smart cities and smart city indicators by considering their size. Analysing the statistics by using decision tree modelling, we identify the most significant indicators of smart cities that can divide smart cities into size categories with impressive 96.2% correct classification. Besides excellent classification result based on real empirical data, several research results overturn common assumptions about smart cities. Based on the research results the paper also highlights intriguing future challenges in smart city research and policy development. Several research results have policy implications and might be useful for urban planners, policy representatives and decision makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geoinformation and Communication Technology (GeoICT) is being increasingly adopted to foster urban sustainability and smart cities. Despite the burgeoning utilization of GeoICT, the development of frameworks of components and guidelines is still at the infancy. This is due to the fact that GeoICT implementations are guided by contextual factors and there is no one size fits all approach. This paper focuses on the topic of leveraging GeoICT for smart sustainable cities by examining the Saudi Arabian experience using information from the literature, government websites, official documents, newspaper articles and personal interviews. This study reviews the definitions, typologies, and frameworks of implementing GeoICT and smart cities. It highlights case studies of smart city development in Saudi Arabia. A comparison of the Saudi case studies with frameworks and practices found in the literature is presented. This paper concludes with policy implications for Saudi Arabia and lessons for GeoICT and smart city development. It is concluded that local context has an influence on the implementation of smart cities, ICT infrastructure is necessary but not sufficient for developing smart cities and blending top-down with bottom-up approaches is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart City is a recent concept that is gaining momentum in public opinion, and thus, it is making its way into the agendas of researchers and city authorities all over the world. However, there is no consensus of what exactly is a smart city, and academic research is, at best, building applications in numerous silos. This paper explores the computer science and information technology literature about Smart City. Using data analysis techniques, we contribute to present the domain from an objective data-based point of view, aiming to highlight its major trends, and providing a single entry point for newcomers. • Smart city concept is rapidly evolving and gaining attention worldwide. • Most smart city publications remained uncited by related literature. • Smart people and economy applications present opportunities for future research. • Identifying most influential works and discussing existing and open issues [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, due to the introduction of new solutions in transportation, environment, and urban management using information and communication technologies, the popularity of smart cities has increased. However, less attention has been paid to the fundamental role of citizens in smart cities. So far, citizen participation with a responsive approach has not been studied, and there have been few quantitative studies on self-organization in citizen participation development. Nowadays, the paradigm of the citizen's role has changed. In the past, citizens had one-sided participation, but now smart citizens must actively participate in urban affairs as well as use modern technologies. This issue depends on legal and social infrastructures to achieve smart citizen participation. One of the recent developments in information technology is the changing concept of smart cities to responsive cities. So far, the focus of smart cities has been on the capabilities that organizations provide to citizens, but in responsive cities, citizens actively participate through activities that promote participation, such as open data, online platforms, living labs, and direct interaction. Additionally, the city is self-organized and uses digital capabilities. Therefore, this study aims to develop citizen participation in a responsive city with a self-organized approach. Based on prior research, a research model was designed, and a questionnaire was distributed among Tehran residents to analyze their participation in a responsive city. Regression analysis was utilized for calculations and analyzing data. The overall evaluation of the model indicated that variables in a responsive city such as open data, online platforms, and living labs only have an impact on citizen participation if there is self-organization. According to the results, only the variable of direct interaction affects citizen participation, while open data, online platforms, and living labs do not have an impact, and their effect depends on self-organization. • This paper conceptualizes the citizen participation in the responsive city. • It shows the importance of online platform, open data, living lab, and direct interaction. • The findings show the critical role of self-organization in the responsive city. • The findings show the necessity of transition into the responsive city due to its benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential impact of smart urban technologies used in smart city projects on three dimensions of urban sustainability (economic, environmental and social). Although the literature notes that smart urban technologies and their capabilities are potential saviours when it comes to urban and sustainability challenges in cities, there is a lack of studies exploring the impact of smart urban technologies on urban sustainability. Thus, we address this literature gap by conducting structural topic modelling on smart city projects retrieved from the Smart Territory call for projects. In these projects, city managers' report extensively on how smart urban technologies can support urban sustainability. Our results show nine groups of smart urban technologies that will support at least two urban sustainability dimensions. Smart mobility systems can support all three dimensions of urban sustainability. Technology benefits will be realised by smart urban technology capabilities and through the involvement of the city's community in the use of technology. • City managers may adopt smart urban technologies to achieve urban sustainability goals. • The results link different urban sustainability impacts to different smart urban technologies. • This paper provides a list of smart urban technologies that will support at least two urban sustainability dimensions. • Results provide a basis to measure smart urban technologies' impacts through different sustainability indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth in the international smart city market over the past decade has been tremendous. Fuelled by private vendors and consultants, adoption of smart city technology in many cities has been rapid. How well does the adoption of this technology and the overall design of smart cities align with the needs and preferences of residents? In this paper we examine this question using data from a unique survey of residents in three large Canadian cities: Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. The survey includes perceptions of both the importance and maturity of 23 policy or service areas, grouped along four dimensions (Services, Governance, Social and Economic). The results indicate that there is a misalignment in certain service and policy areas between the types of projects that cities are pursuing and the preferences of residents, indicating the need for broader and deeper engagement with the community in the design and implementation of smart city plans. • Survey results highlight disparities between residents and their municipal governments in smart city development • A gap exists between the preferences that residents place on certain smart city initiatives and where local government direct investment • Cities are aligned with technocratic institutional logic, underpinned by a close collaboration with the private sector [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart city approaches in city planning have gained significant momentum in the recent past. While proponents argue that smart cities will bring positive social change by the adoption of ICTs, enriched governance and human capital among the citizenry, opponents point out about the negative effects and gaps exist in their planning and execution. Despite efforts to promote its practice, there has been wide criticism about the concept and the way it has been adopted and implemented. The roles of various players, especially the central role of the private sector, is often challenged in the academic literature. A variety of expectations from various stakeholders make the potential implementation strategies even more complex. The current paper reviews the research in the field to date to find that there are conflicting views in smart city planning, which limit our knowledge about the ‘real’ smart city and its implications for building creative and inclusive urban space. Such uncertainty at the conceptual level, and the heightened importance given by policy makers and markets to its adoption, highlights the need for proper scrutiny. The paper clusters the various views pertaining to the building of smart cities and, thereby, proposes a 3RC framework, consisting of R estrictive, R eflective, R ationalistic and C ritical schools, which critically analyses various stages in the development of the field. The overall aim of the paper is to understand how smart cities differ in their meanings, intentions and ‘offerings’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planning is intrinsically a political process. This paper explores how the practice and profession of planning has been affected by politics. Available evidence in Zimbabwe shows that planning is problematized by unsettled national and local politics. However, contested politics can distort the intentions of a sound planning system through advancing political interests of politicians, the ruling elite. Interviews with political actors and planners allow an understanding of how politics has virtually eroded, if not eliminated, a sound planning system. This paper illustrates three dimensions of the relationship between politics and planning. First, the political contestation between the ruling and opposition party has severely undermined planning and its contribution towards coordinated development in cities. Second, planners often succumb to the politics of patronage at the expense of urban residents and town planning principles. Third, the integrity and credibility of planning is seemingly under constant threat from political actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban mobility plays a key role in any modern society. The advent of digital platforms and dedicated mobile apps, as well as new business models based on the concept of access over ownership and sharing economy (sharing mobility and Mobility as a Service), promises to reshape this sector. It will facilitate and speed up the diffusion of more sustainable and efficient means of transportation based on an intermodal mobility management perspective. The main goal of this paper is to examine the current state of smart mobility together with those factors that may influence the extent of modern sharing mobility proliferation and penetration through ICT applications and social media. The authors applied the content analysis using a sample of more than 1000 citizens' and visitors' reviews published on the official digital platforms of the smart city of Milan. The paper includes a comparison with data drawn from the public urban mobility services users. Based on the nodes resulting from the content analysis, the STEEP method was adopted in order to apply a more complex perspective concerning social, technological, environmental, economic and political issues. This strategic analytical tool was combined with the SWOT analysis dimensions to provide a comprehensive practical contribution to modern municipal smart mobility management systems. The results highlight the need for both smart mobility solutions suppliers and institutions to properly understand and communicate how digital services can be implemented across different users' touchpoints and communication channels to increase the value-added provided to citizens and visitors alike. • Urban mobility services assessment in a smart city context • Analyses of digital platforms and mobile apps for sharing mobility services • Content analysis and Network analysis of the reviews of mobility services' users • Multilevel approach based on the integration of STEEP and SWOT analyses • Theoretical contribution and strategic insights for policy-makers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a shift in attention from urban vitality to urban vitalisation as a process that reflects ongoing interactions between residents, communities, and urban government agencies. To explore urban vitalisation, we offer a conceptual framework connecting two theoretical terms, trust/distrust and citizenship regimes, and we ask in what ways relations between trust/distrust (of residents in their municipality) and citizenship regimes explain residents' engagement in smart urban vitalisation. To answer this question, we present a case study of a group of Haifa residents who used a digital platform to push for improvement in the ways the local government accommodated their needs. Based on our analysis, we make two arguments of potential interest to scholars and stakeholders involved in smart city initiatives. First, both trust and distrust can motivate residents' involvement in smart city initiatives. Second, examining trust and distrust in light of the relevant citizenship regime (individual-liberal and civic-republican) sheds light on relational and dynamic configurations of residents' involvement in the process of smart urban vitalisation. • The paper presents a shift from urban vitality to urban vitalisation as a process of ongoing interactions between residents and urban government. • We offer a conceptualization connecting trust/distrust and citizenship regimes to explain residents' engagement in urban vitalisation. • Both trust and distrust can motivate residents' involvement in smart city initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urban management industry has recently shown interest in implementing digital twins in cities to improve urban planning, optimize asset management and create secure, sustainable cities. Built on the knowledge gained with the development of smart cities and the implementation of digital twins in other industries, urban digital twins have experienced a significant expansion in just a few years. However, this rapid growth has led to a fragmented situation where the definition of the concept of urban digital twin is not clear and implementations share few similarities. For this reason, the main objective of this paper was to contribute to the conceptualization of the digital twin in urban management. To do so, existing initiatives were mapped in terms of applications, inputs, processing and outputs. Requirements were elicited and the basic structure of a city digital twin was defined. Benefits, open issues and key challenges were also identified. This paper will be useful for stakeholders within the urban management area as it establishes the basis for the future design, development and widespread adoption of urban digital twins. • Existing approaches on urban digital twins have been reviewed. • The present capability to act on the physical twin is limited. • Standardization is needed to achieve interoperability between digital twins. • Benefits, open issues and key challenges are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on Smart Cities lacks of research on how actors understand and appropriate the Smart City. This paper questions in an innovative way their appropriations of the phenomenon. Smart City is considered as an instrument, following the theory of Lascoumes and Le Galès (2007). Is the Smart City a functional instrument: a kind of evidence and a pragmatic solution at disposal or a public policy instrument: not neutral, provoking debates and influencing policies? An empirical analysis is carried on based on a survey among 193 Belgian actors active in the domain. The results show that the Instrument theory is relevant to analyse the actors' appropriation, which do not follow a homogeneous trend. In fact, each actor follows his own logics which will be interesting to study. • The Instrument theory is relevant to study the Smart City appropriation by actors. • Statistical treatments based on a study of 193 Belgian actors confirm this approach. • Actor's appropriation follows a partition between functional and public policy instrument. • Actors do not fit into one or the other category of instrument in a monolithic way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the predicted world population growth of 83 million people per year (increasing 1.09% year on year) compounded with a strong trend for migration to urban centres, there is a developing interest by academics, industry and government to the digitalisation of the built environment and its potential impact on private enterprises, public services and the broader context of society. The governments around the world and others are aiming to guide and standardise this process by developing an array of standards to support this digitalisation, most notably on Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Smart Cities Framework. Furthermore, the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) is creating a highly flexible, dynamic and accessible platform for the exchange capture and of information. There is a risk that this information on the built environment is quickly becoming unmanageable, and the value of that information is quickly becoming lost. This paper presents a smart asset alignment framework that creates an alignment between the information captured at the infrastructure asset level and citizen requirements within a Smart City framework. The framework contributes to the debate on designing and developing Smart City solutions in a way that will deliver value to the citizens. • Smart cities frameworks alone in isolation will not address the citizen requirements. • Citizens currently interact with city services in isolated transitions. • A smart cities framework, alignment of citizen requirements to infrastructure asset performance. • Classification of infrastructure assets as per the functional output provides to the city service. • Classification of citizen functions and alignment to city services [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Research on smart cities lacks a systematic understanding of the different components of smart city governance, the metrics to measure these components, their envisaged outcomes and potential contextual factors influencing both components as well as outcomes. This study analyzes the relevant body of literature and proposes conceptual insights. A research scheme is generated and used for an extensive discussion of the literature. The systematic literature review indicates that various smart city governance definitions exist. Also, this study reveals substantial variances in contextual factors, measurement techniques and outcomes among the concepts of smart city governance. Highlights • In general, research on smart cities lacks a systematic understanding of the different components of smart city governance. • Therefore, this paper analyzes the relevant body of literature on smart city governance and proposes a systematic understanding of the different components of smart city governance, the metrics to measure these components and their envisaged outcomes. • Thereby, a research scheme is generated and then used for an extensive discussion of the literature. • The systematic literature review indicates that various smart city governance definitions exist, emphasizing on various focal points. • Also, this study reveals substantial variances in contextual factors, measurement techniques and outcomes among the concepts of smart city governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the authors reveal the first-of-its-kind method for the design of truly smart city projects and the elaboration of smarter urban planning. The Intelligenter Method is based on the innovative idea of collaborations discovery in urban systems. The Intelligenter Method shows that what makes an urban project or a plan smart is not its sophisticated architecture or complex master planning in a technological environment, but rather qualitative and quantitative collaborations that the urban subsystem being planned or projected can establish with related subsystems, to safeguard sustainability while promoting urban development and improving resilience. The authors of this research are now sharing with the research community the Method they developed to teach intelligenter smart urban planning and projecting. This Method is also applicable to intelligenter urban policy making and regulation drafting. This second part of the methodology is published in a separate paper in this Cities issue with the title “The Intelligenter Method (II) for ‘smarter’ urban policy-making and regulation drafting”. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on whether the construction of smart cities can expand green space. Based on smart cities policy in China, a quasi-natural experiment is conducted by using the Heterogeneity - Robust estimator in differences-in-differences model. According to detailed theoretical analysis and rigorous empirical research, and main conclusions are as follows. First, the construction of smart cities can directly expand the green space due to the land resource allocation. The above basic conclusion remains reliable after a series of robustness tests. Second, the effect of construction of smart cities on the green space is heterogenous. The construction of smart city in the three batches has a positive impact on expending green space and the strongest positive effect on green space is seen in the smart cities established in 2012. The high-level economic scale and high-level science and technology are vital premises for smart cities to expand green space. Third, the construction of smart cities can indirectly expand the green space by promoting online work and services and increasing disposable income. Last, the "Broadband China" Strategy has a positively moderate effect on the construction of smart cities in expanding green space. • Construction of smart cities can expand the green space. • Effect of construction of smart cities on the green space is heterogenous. • Online work and services and disposable income are influence mechanisms. • "Broadband China" Strategy has a positively moderate effect on the effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a macroeconomics approach to assist decision-makers and stakeholders when considering the transition of a city towards the circular economy paradigm. We reflect on approaches that leverage smart city maturity models to capture the evolution and trajectory of a city in its quest for smartness. By adopting the cross-methodology borrowed from the macroeconomics domain, we illustrate how a maturity model can be actionable in the sense that it can reveal the equilibria of supply and demand of a given smart city dimension or parameter. To evaluate this methodology, we study a well-known use case in cybersecurity, specifically incident response, against crowdsourcing, a key enabler of a data-driven circular economy. Our findings confirm that when crowdsourcing is injected into smart city infrastructure, the city's maturity is expected to increase as the additional capabilities can contribute to addressing cybersecurity incidents. • A data driven circular economy aware maturity model for a smart city ecosystem. • A decision support tool for assessing the appropriateness of technological alternatives for a smart city development. • A macroeconomics-based approach for crowdsourcing cybersecurity incident handling in a smart city ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the paper is to clarify the relationship between sustainability-oriented innovations (SOI) and smart city development based on the systematic review of existing literature in the field. As an outcome of the review process, 159 articles were carefully selected for the in-depth analysis of the inter-linked concepts of smart city and sustainability-oriented innovations. The results show a growing trend of research papers in this field, especially in the last five years. The findings show the significance of a systemic multi-dimensional view of innovations for the smart sustainable development of cities. We have identified four main perspectives through which the scholars discourse the SOI dimensions in the smart city context: technology perspective, organizational perspective, social innovation perspective with citizen engagement, as well as system-level changes with innovation ecosystems. Second, we have recognized various focused themes under each main perspective. The various types of innovations also have impacts on different components of smart cities. Although the technological innovation perspectives dominate, and governance aspects are also paid attention to in recent studies, the increasing amount of research outputs also report on the developments of other components and perspectives, such as new human-centric approaches like citizen engagement. • Growing trend in papers connecting sustainability innovations and smart cities • Four main perspectives of innovation dimensions in smart cities recognized • Technological and governance perspectives dominate in earlier research. • Recent increase in research of human-centric approaches and citizen engagement [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years many initiatives have been developed under the Smart City label in a bid to provide a response to challenges facing cities today. The concept has evolved from a sector-based approach to a more comprehensive view that places governance and stakeholders' involvement at the core of strategies. However, Smart City implementation requires lowering the scale from the strategy to the project level. Therefore, the ability of Smart City initiatives to provide an integrated and systematic answer to urban challenges is constantly being called into question. Stakeholder involvement in both the projects and the city strategy is key to developing a governance framework that allows an integrated and comprehensive understanding. This can only be done if Smart City strategies take the stakeholders' opinion into account and seek a compromise between their views and the implementation of the strategy. Multiple attempts have been made to analyse Smart Cities, but tools are needed to understand their complexity and reflect the stakeholders' role in developing Smart City initiatives and their capacity to face urban challenges. This paper pursues two objectives: (A) to develop a conceptual model capable of displaying an overview of (a) the stakeholders taking part in the initiative in relation to (b) the projects developed and (c) the challenges they face; and (B) to use this model to synthesise the opinion of different stakeholders involved in Smart City initiatives and compare their attitudes to the key projects implemented in a corresponding SC strategy. The methodology combines project analysis with surveys and interviews with different groups of key stakeholders (governments, private companies, universities and research centres, and civil society) through text analysis. The conceptual model is developed through discussions with different European stakeholders and is applied to the case of the Vienna Smart City strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the link between innovation and the endowments of creative and science oriented STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – workers at the level of the firm and at the city-/regional-level in Germany. It also looks into whether the presence of these two groups of workers has greater benefits for larger cities than smaller locations, thus justifying policies to attract these workers in order to make German cities ‘smarter’. The empirical analysis is based on a probit estimation, covering 115,000 firm-level observations between 1998 and 2015. The results highlight that firms that employ creative and STEM workers are more innovative than those that do not. However, the positive connection of creative workers to innovation is limited to the boundaries of the firm, whereas that of STEM workers is as associated to the generation of considerable innovation spillovers. Hence, attracting STEM workers is more likely to end up making German cities smarter than focusing exclusively on creative workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates smart city (SC) initiatives in the context of re-using vacant property, focusing on the role of living labs (LL). LL utilise Lo-Fi technologies to foster local digital innovation and support community-focused civic hacking, running various kinds of workshops and engaging with local citizens to co-create digital interventions and apps aimed at ‘solving’ local issues. Five approaches to LL are outlined and discussed in relation to vacancy and gentrification: pop-up initiatives, university-led activities, community organised venues/activities, citizen sensing and crowdsourcing, and tech-led regeneration initiatives. Notwithstanding the potential for generating temporary and independent spaces for transferring digital competences and increasing citizens' participation in the SC, we argue LL foster largely a form of participation framed within a model of civic stewardship for ‘smart citizens’. While presented as horizontal, open, and participative, LL and civic hacking are rooted often in pragmatic and paternalistic discourses and practices related to the production of a creative economy and a technocratic version of SC. As such, by encouraging a particular kind of re-use of vacant space, LLs are used actively to bolster the Smart City discourse, as part of the more general neoliberalization of urban political economy. We discuss these approaches and issues generally, drawing on previous fieldwork and with respect to a case study of Dublin, Ireland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union promotes the paradigm of ecological modernization and the effectiveness of eco-innovations (European Environment Agency, 2014). This is evident, in particular, from the political and financial support that the Institution is devoting to smart cities. Thus far, most of the ‘smart’ projects developed in European cities focus on the theme of the environment and its efficient management (European Union, 2014). However, what has not yet been adequately investigated is the issue of the social impact of these smart environmental projects (Beretta, 2014a, b, c). In particular, what seems important is the question of whether the projects with environmental objectives also yield beneficial results from the social point of view, with special reference to the issue of social inclusion. Who are the real beneficiaries of the projects of eco-innovation? Do the benefits extend to all citizens or are they likely to go to only some sectors of the population, often the wealthier ones, risking - among other things - promotion of the phenomenon of eco-gentrification? In more general terms, can we say that smart cities represent the ‘ideal’ settings for the achievement of simultaneous environmental, economic and social development? This paper reports results from research conducted on smart environmental projects implemented in Italy and posted on the national web platform italiansmartcity.it. The project consisted in a qualitative analysis of the environmental projects presented, in order to analyze their social impacts, especially referring to the question of social inclusiveness and the risk of eco-gentrification. More generally, the analysis helps clarify whether the eco -innovations represent an effective tool for achieving sustainable development in the Italian context. Having said that, it cannot be assumed that readers are familiar with the European and Italian contexts. Par. 1 opens with a table that gives definitions of terms which are potentially not clear. It then shows ways that the European Union is institutionalizing eco-innovation and smart cities, remaining on the latest debate on them. Par. 2 highlights the risk of the technological rut the European Union is falling into; par. 3 illustrates the main results of research carried out on the smart cities in the Lombardy Region regarding the social effects of eco-innovations; par. 4 attempts to draw a provisional conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last decades in urban design research are characterised by a focus on technological aspects of cities which is commonly known as the smart city strategy. The concerns and interests of citizens are coming to the forefront nowadays with the awareness that a liveable city does not only consist of good infrastructure and sustainable energy supply but also citizen input and feedback. In this paper, we present Citizen Design Science as a new strategy for cities to integrate citizens' ideas and wishes in the urban planning process. The approach is to combine the opportunity of crowdsourcing opinions and thoughts by citizens through modern information and communication technology (ICT) with active design tools. The active design feedback from a city's inhabitants is identified as a yet missing but essential way towards a responsive city. We therefore propose a system to merge Citizen Science and Citizen Design, which requires a structured evaluation process to integrate Design Science methods for urban design. We show examples of existing approaches of Citizen Design Science and present the Quick Urban Analysis Kit (qua-kit) as an application of this methodology. The toolkit allows users to move geometries in given environments and provides the opportunity for non-experts to express their ideas for their neighbourhood or city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regardless the Smart City (SC) broad scope, which ranges from a service-oriented ecosystem with the use of almost all the emerging technologies to a resilient urban environment, practice shows that the SC is mostly capitalized for utility upgrades, urban renovation, and real-time city monitoring. Moreover, recent city implementations register attempts to utilize technology for controlling the entire city flows. The aim of this communication paper is to discuss the SC hubness and more specifically the fact that the SC can become a "hub" that collects, processes, and transmits data; brings together people to co-design and evolve; and controls service, material and people flows in all city types. As a result, this paper defines the role, the uses and the architecture of this "SC-as-a-Hub" operation labeled "SCHub", which can standardize and control all the city flows. • Explains how smart cities are being transformed to hubs for data, service, people and material flows • Conceptualizes the smart city as a hub (SCHub) • Defines the SCHub's architecture and architecture framework • Presents use-cases that explain the SCHub's operation • Introduces some of the expected benefits from the SCHub's role [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on the understanding that the representations that underpin slum policies play an important role in the management and reproduction of informality, the aim of this paper is to identify some of the representations used in the governance of slums through two case studies: the upgrading policies of Rio de Janeiro's favelas , Brazil, and the governing of Stellenbosch's informal settlements, South Africa. Slum policies are influenced by the use of technologies, defined in this paper both as accounting techniques that stabilise the representations of informality and as technological artefacts used as means of intervention. Results show that the representations of slums used in the policies analysed contribute to the reproduction of informality by (i) representing slums as places of uncertainty and uncontrollability, (ii) affirming the need of experts and technical knowledge to correct the material, legal and knowledge deficits through which slums are represented, and (iii) focusing on the individual and household level and disregarding the relational character of poverty. These representations are influenced by sociotechnical imaginaries of sustainable and smart cities, through which the social orders that produce informality and social exclusion remain unquestioned. • Representations play an important role in the definition of informality as an object of governance. • Slums are represented through uncertainty, uncontrollability and deficit representations. • Representations are embedded in broad socio-technical imaginaries of sustainable and smart cities. • Critical scholarship on slum policy needs to be critical about its own use of representations of slums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of technology on tourist cities and destinations has led to the emergence of renewed management approaches that seek to adapt the planning processes to new challenges and opportunities derived from the smart scenario. The smart city and smart tourist destination approaches are aimed at improving efficiency in management, the quality of life of the residents and the tourist experiences. However, little is known about how these ideas are being translated into real policies and whether they are having a real impact. The objective of this paper is to understand how the smart approach is being deployed in the planning processes of Spanish tourist cities and destinations, and its implications in terms of the governance, sustainability and data-driven public management. The planning instruments that guide the smart strategies of different Spanish cities are identified and analysed. This is complemented with a questionnaire administered among managers of the smart city and smart destination initiatives. The findings reveal the diversity of smart initiatives, their benefits and limitations. The results contribute to generating a necessary debate on the implications of the smart discourse for urban and tourism planning and enrich the international debate around this approach. • Contrasts the theoretical and international smart discourse with practical application in Spanish cities • Critically analyses smart city and smart destination plans, identifying categories • Surveys smart city and destination managers to unveil their perception of impacts • Contributes to overcome the insufficient consideration of tourism within the analysis and development of smart cities • Identifies implications for global urban and tourism planning of the uneven development of the smart approach [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly guided by the use of ICT, the flow of humans and materials, smart cities and autonomous mobility amalgamate into a game changer in urban planning. This paper critically explores the role of autonomous (driverless) vehicles in plans for urban futures. By looking into the urban plans of 10 European capitals, we investigate the anticipated promises and hazards of autonomous vehicles. Theoretically, the paper draws upon critical urban mobilities studies that invite interlinking carbon reduction, smart cities and mobility planning. By examining these plans, the paper critically evaluates current urban planning for autonomous vehicles by asking whether one can identify any links to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of sustainable cities and communities. A practice-based view on automation is then suggested as a pathway to promote a thorough sustainable mobility transition. It is concluded that none of the plans of the 10 capitals studied require AVs to integrate with public means of transport or to be fuelled by renewable energy sources. Hence, AVs are likely to individualise and intensify the existing automobility regime further and emissions are likely to increase, according to the comparative urban analysis. We therefore conclude that urban policy-making needs to contest the existing techno-centric conception of autonomous vehicles if these are to support the sustainable development goals of cities. • Urban governance of AV mainly displays recrafting policy framings, though sequencing is also identified. • Comparative document analysis of AV governance across cities using new mobility planning as methodological framework. • Urban governance of AV integrated with MaaS and public transportation best accommodate SDG 11 on cities. • Urban governance of AV should favour soft mobility over cars whether automated or not according to planning documents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Comprehensive theory of Smart Cities continues to elude scholars. This seems to result from ontological uncertainty surrounding the Smart City and who it serves. Such uncertainty has led to the techno-centric versus human-centric debate currently dominating the Smart City discussion. This paper adopts a systems approach to stratify society into three strata: the individual (micro), organizational (meso), and system (macro). I implement a systematic review of the Smart City literature to examine how Smart Cities are conceptualized. From an analysis of 41 papers, this research identifies a dualistic phenomenon occurring at all points in the stratified city system: sources of innovation (SOI) and Loci of change (LOC). Here, SOI refers to the perceptions of deficiencies which initiate the learning curve of innovation, while LOC refers to the structures which allow the learning curve to disseminate through the system. This analysis highlights an overemphasis on the organizational stratum and insufficient attention to the individual and system strata. To address this shortfall, I introduce the Social Innovation Cycle. This multi-level social innovation framework incorporates the interdependencies of SOI and LOC to link all strata, mitigate power asymmetries, and reduce marginalization. In so doing, I delineate where policy implementation can be directed for holistically developing the Smart City. I recommend that Smart City policy should target the intersection of SOI and LOC in pursuit of human-centricity. • A Social Innovation perspective fosters human centricity. • Methods to achieve a smart city reflect the dominant institutional framework. • Holistic smart cities require innovation sourced from each stratum of society. • Sources of innovation and loci of change manifest within and between strata. • Policies should echo placed-based realities of citizens rather than urban elites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

District 2-2 (or Saerom-dong), located in Sejong smart city, is designated as a 'Specially Designed Zone for Women'. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the gendered dimensions of this smart city district through gender analysis. This paper analyzes the planning, implementation, and post-occupancy stages of the district through a review of guidelines of gender-mainstreaming policies of Korean cities, interviews of experts involved, and a survey of 100 residents to gain an insight into how users perceive the spatial aspects of the women-friendly walking environment. Results show that, at the planning stage, little interprofessional communication occurs between smart city experts and 'women-friendly city' experts. At the implementation stage, this leads to incomplete gender-mainstreaming of the district. Post-occupancy survey results reveal, however, that despite these shortcomings, both women and men perceive the 'Specially Designed Zone for Women' to be safe. Even so, there is a gender difference in the perception regarding smart installations. CCTVs are more important to men than women, while on-site emergency bells are more significant to women than men. This indicates that women need more active safety systems than passive surveillance systems. This paper argues that a gendered perspective is needed for the more inclusive planning of smart cities. • The gendered dimensions of Sejong's smart city district are investigated in three stages. • There is little interprofessional communication at the planning stages. • This led to incomplete gender-mainstreaming of the district at the implementation stage. • Post-occupancy survey results reveal that both women and men perceive the 'Specially Designed Zone for Women' to be safe. • A gendered perspective is needed as women need more active safety systems than passive surveillance systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]