Four European Smart City Strategies

This paper provides evidence-based policy recommendations about the development of smart cities. The core characteristics of smart cities, including the use of advanced technology, human and social capital development, the development of pro-business environments and networking, are ‘translated’ into individual domains that characterize smart city strategies. Four major European cities (Amsterdam, Barcelona, London and Stockholm) are examined in terms of how they have so far incorporated those domains in their ongoing smart city strategies. The data are analyzed comparatively, highlighting trends and contrasting differences among strategies. The paper closes with conclusions about those characteristics and their role in smart city policy making

Encouraging urban planning and development practice to contribute to sustainable development. A methodology and a use case

One of the most complex challenges the tourism industry faces is keeping up to date with information technology developments caused by the globalisation of information and advances in technology. The development of robust decision support systems for tourism land use planning is a way to address this challenge.This paper demonstrates how a spatial decision support system (SDSS), called the Land Use Decision sUpport System (LUDUS), can contribute in allocating complex forms of tourism. The system combines an artificial intelligence technique, called ontologies, with Geographic Information Systems and object-oriented programming to support decision-making in spatial planning. The system consists of two subsystems: the Insert Data Subsystem and the Graphic Imaging and Decision Support Subsystem. The core of the system is an ontology that is aligned to a standard of the Open Geospatial Consortium, called Geosparql.The case study of this paper is the Mastichochoria area of Chios Island, Greece. Therefore, the structure of the ontology was modelled according to the provisions of Greek legislation. The results produced confirmed the correct coding and application of the system’s criteria. The validity, accuracy and reliability of the results were also confirmed.The adopted approach facilitates the identification of alternative options for allocating, among other land use types, complex forms of tourism development in suburban areas, by examining the provisions of the legal framework as well as their geology and terrain

Developing Synergies Between Social Entrepreneurship and Urban Planning: Evidence from Six European Cities

For more than two decades, entrepreneurship has been promoted as an effective means to advance the aims of urban development. Social entrepreneurship, more specifically, is seen as a driver of urban innovation and experimentation at the local level. Nevertheless, in-depth research about the opportunities that arise from the coordination of urban planning with social entrepreneurship policy at the local level is lacking. Inspired by this realisation, the research presented in this paper investigates six European cities (Terrassa, Spain; Göteborg, Sweden; Torino, Italy; Lisbon, Portugal; Porto, Portugal; and Hengelo, the Netherlands) that have adopted a coordinated approach to promote social entrepreneurship in their territory. We identify the developmental benefits sought by these cities in promoting social entrepreneurship, the ways in which urban planning supports social entrepreneurship policy and vice versa, and the key challenges that cities face in pursing this. We conclude that the coordination of urban planning with social entrepreneurship policy is an emergent, interdisciplinary field with high growth potential given the current socio-economic challenges facing cities. However, the lack of awareness, expertise, actionable data and formal processes stand in the way of realising this potential

From the “Smart City” to the “Smart Metropolis”? Building Resilience in the Urban Periphery

The “smart city” has risen to global prominence over the past two decades as an urban planning and development strategy. As a broad but contested toolkit of technological services and policy interventions aimed at improving the efficacy and efficiency of urban systems, the “smart city” is subject to several pressing critiques. This paper acknowledges these concerns, but recognizes the potential of “urban intelligence” to enhance the resiliency of metropolitan areas. As such, we focus on an under-researched dimension of smart city urbanism: its application in peripheral urban areas. The paper introduces a threefold typology of: (a) geographic (spatial); (b) hard (material); and (c) soft (social) urban peripherality. Second, it reviews the concept of urban resilience and considers how its central characteristics can inform the objectives and implementation of “smart city” infrastructures and planning. Six European smart city plans are assessed via a qualitative content analysis, to identify the target of smart city actions; the characteristics of urban resilience mobilized; and the spatial focus of planned interventions. The comparative analysis reveals a variegated set of smart-city approaches. Notably, “smart” actions aimed at enhancing social innovation are the most common type of intervention, while overall there remains a strong tendency for smart urbanism to focus on the urban core. We conclude by calling for a research agenda addressing smartness in, of, and for, peripheral urban spaces and communities

How to Overcome the Dichotomous Nature of Smart City Research: Proposed Methodology and Results of a Pilot Study

Overcoming the dichotomous nature of smart city research is fundamental to providing cities with a clear understanding of how smart city development should be approached. This paper introduces a research methodology for conducting the multiple-case study analyses necessary to meet this challenge. After presenting the methodology, we test the practical feasibility, effectiveness, and logistics of such a methodology by examining the activities that Vienna has implemented in building its smart city development strategy. The results of this pilot study show how the application of the proposed methodology can help smart city researchers codify the knowledge produced from multiple smart city experiences, using a common protocol. This in turn allows them to: (1) coordinate efforts when investigating the strategic principles that drive smart city development and test the divergent hypotheses emerging from the scientific literature; (2) share the results of this investigation and hypothesis testing by conducting extensive cross-case analyses among multiple studies able to capture the generic qualities of the findings; (3) gain consensus on the way to think about, conceptualize, and standardize the analysis of smart city developments; and (4) develop innovative monitoring and evaluation systems for smart city development strategies by reflecting upon the lessons learned from current practices

Smart city planning and development shortcomings

This paper explores smart city planning and development shortcomings. In particular, it investigates eleven cases of smart city strategies and the shortcomings that were observed during their planning and implementation stages. The cases include: Barcelona Smart City, PlanlT Valley, Stockholm Smart City, Cyberjaya, King Abdullah Economic City, Masdar City, Skolkovo, Songdo International Business District, Chicago Smart City, Rio de Janeiro Smart City, and Konza Technology City. The paper proceeds with the synthesis of the findings and their critical appraisal. Shortcomings are classified into economic and budget shortages, bureaucratic and organizational challenges, challenges in the development and layout of digital services, poor physical planning, struggle to attract investment and support the development of new businesses, low performance in attracting and engaging users, and stakeholder resistance. In turn, the shortcomings are clustered in two distinct groups and analyzed in terms of causes and effects. The paper closes with mitigation propositions, accounting for past experience and novel approaches to this end

Urban Planning in the 15-Minute City: Revisited under Sustainable and Smart City Developments until 2030

The 15-minute-city concept represents an increasingly popular urban policymaking and planning paradigm that seeks to shift attention to the neighborhood as a “place” rather merely a spatial and functional planning unit. The core premise of the concept is that critical urban services and amenities should be reachable within 15 min of walking or cycling from a residence. The urban-planning principles that enable the realization of the 15-minute city variably embody planning in mixed-use neighborhood units, proximity-based planning, planning for active transport, citizen participation in planning, and innovation and intelligence-driven planning. We revisit these urban-planning premises in the light of emerging social, physical, and structural developments through 2030, with a focus on European cases. The findings provide important additions and recommendations to the urban-planning principles of 15-minute cities along the themes of proximity-based planning, the use of land and urban form, urban governance and citizen participation, and inclusive digitalization. The paper moves the discussion on the 15-minute city forward and will be helpful for urban planners, policymakers, and scholars seeking to envision and create a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant future in cities

Στρατηγικός σχεδιασμός για την ανάπτυξη ευφυών πόλεων

Smart cities are all urban settlements that make a conscious effort to capitalize on the new landscape of Information and Communication Technologies in a strategic way, aiming for environmental sustainability, functionality of urban systems, quality of life for all, knowledge-based development and community-driven development. Their basic components are the urban setting, Information and Communication Technologies, people and communities and a strategic approach towards one or more of the previous aims. The purpose of this thesis is to conduct original scientific research on strategic planning for the development of smart cities, providing integrated strategic guidelines about how to become a successful smart city. The thesis commences with the review of the literature regarding strategic planning for the development of smart cities. In this context, it outlines the core theoretical model of strategic planning for smart city development and the success factors that are considered critical in planning successful smart cities. The thesis continues to present the results of a survey that took place about 15 smart city programs worldwide, regarding the previous aspects of strategic planning. This survey includes information about the socioeconomic background of the cities, as well as about the design and implementation weaknesses of the surveyed smart city strategies. In sequence qualitative and quantitative analyses were undertaken, using the theoretical model for the development of smart cities and the evidence from the surveyed smart city strategies. Furthermore, a method to assess the degree of success of a smart city strategy is proposed. The analysis yielded a series of results that were used to reach integrated conclusions and develop guidelines about strategic planning for the effective development of smart cities. The thesis eventually concludes with three sets tools that altogether comprise the integrated framework of effective strategic planning for the development of smart cities: (a) the Strategic Roadmap Toolkit, analyzing the steps that need to be taken in order to plan and implement a successful smart city strategy, (b) the Principles’ Toolkit, analyzing the managerial, strategic and operational principles that characterize a successful smart city strategy and (c) the index of Weaknesses and Mitigation, analyzing the complications that may emerge in the context of a smart city strategy and how they can be mitigated.Ως έξυπνες ή ευφυείς πόλεις μπορούν να χαρακτηριστούν όλες οι αστικές συγκεντρώσεις στις οποίες γίνεται μια συντονισμένη στρατηγική προσπάθεια να επωφεληθούν από τις νέες Τεχνολογίες Πληροφορίας και Επικοινωνιών, στοχεύοντας στην περιβαλλοντική αειφορία, τη λειτουργικότητα των αστικών συστημάτων, τη βελτίωση της ποιότητας ζωής για όλους, τη βασισμένη-στη-γνώση ανάπτυξη και την ανάπτυξη που ανταποκρίνεται στις ανάγκες των ανθρώπων και των κοινοτήτων. Τα βασικά της συστατικά είναι το αστικό περιβάλλον, οι Τεχνολογίες Πληροφορίας και Επικοινωνιών, οι άνθρωποι και οι κοινότητές τους, και η στρατηγική προσέγγιση προς έναν ή περισσότερους από τους παραπάνω στόχους. Στόχος της παρούσας διατριβής είναι να διεξάγει πρωτότυπη επιστημονική έρευνα αναφορικά με τον στρατηγικό σχεδιασμό για την ανάπτυξη έξυπνων πόλεων, παρέχοντας ολοκληρωμένες κατευθύνσεις σχετικά με το πώς μπορεί να αναπτυχθεί μια επιτυχής έξυπνη πόλη. Η διατριβή ξεκινά με την έρευνα της βιβλιογραφίας αναφορικά με τον σχεδιασμό στρατηγικών έξυπνης πόλης. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό διερευνά το κεντρικό θεωρητικό μοντέλο του στρατηγικού σχεδιασμού και τους παράγοντες επιτυχίας που θεωρούνται κρίσιμοι για την ανάπτυξη έξυπνων πόλεων. Στη συνέχεια παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας πεδίου που έγινε όσον αφορά 15 προγράμματα έξυπνης πόλης σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο. Η έρευνα αυτή μελέτησε τις προαναφερθείσες διαστάσεις των στρατηγικών για την ανάπτυξη έξυπνων πόλεων, καθώς και το ευρύτερο κοινωνικοοικονομικό τους πλαίσιο και τα προβλήματα που αντιμετωπίστηκαν κατά το σχεδιασμό και την εφαρμογή των στρατηγικών αυτών. Εν συνεχεία παρουσιάζεται η ποιοτική και ποσοτική ανάλυση των συλλεχθέντων δεδομένων, η οποία περιλαμβάνει μια μέθοδο αξιολόγησης της επιτυχίας στρατηγικών έξυπνων πόλεων. Τα αποτελέσματα της ανάλυσης οδήγησαν στη διεξαγωγή ολοκληρωμένων συμπερασμάτων σχετικά με τον στρατηγικό σχεδιασμό για την ανάπτυξη έξυπνων πόλεων. Ειδικότερα, αναπτύχθηκαν τρία πακέτα εργαλείων, τα οποία στο σύνολό τους απαρτίζουν το ολοκληρωμένο πλαίσιο του στρατηγικού σχεδιασμού για την ανάπτυξη έξυπνων πόλεων: (α) ο στρατηγικός οδικός χάρτης, που περιλαμβάνει τα στάδια του σχεδιασμού και της εφαρμογής μιας επιτυχούς στρατηγικής έξυπνης πόλης, (β) το πακέτο βασικών αρχών, που περιλαμβάνει τις διαχειριστικές, στρατηγικές και επιχειρησιακές αρχές που χαρακτηρίζουν μια πετυχημένη στρατηγική έξυπνης πόλης, και (γ) το πακέτο αντιμετώπισης προβλημάτων, που αναλύει τα προβλήματα που μπορεί να εμφανιστούν στα πλαίσια μιας τέτοιας στρατηγικής και πως αυτά μπορούν να αντιμετωπιστούν

Urban Planning in the 15-Minute City: Revisited under Sustainable and Smart City Developments until 2030

The 15-minute-city concept represents an increasingly popular urban policymaking and planning paradigm that seeks to shift attention to the neighborhood as a “place” rather than merely a spatial and functional planning unit. The core premise of the concept is that critical urban services and amenities should be reachable within 15 min of walking or cycling from a residence. The urban-planning principles that enable the realization of the 15-minute city variably embody planning in mixed-use neighborhood units, proximity-based planning, planning for active transport, citizen participation in planning, and innovation and intelligence-driven planning. We revisit these urban-planning premises in light of emerging social, physical, and structural developments through 2030, with a focus on European cases. The findings provide important additions and recommendations to the urban-planning principles of 15-minute cities along the themes of proximity-based planning, the use of land and urban form, urban governance and citizen participation, and inclusive digitalization. The paper moves the discussion on the 15-minute city forward and will be helpful for urban planners, policymakers, and scholars seeking to envision and create a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant future in cities

Urban Planning in the 15-Minute City: Revisited under Sustainable and Smart City Developments until 2030

The 15-minute-city concept represents an increasingly popular urban policymaking and planning paradigm that seeks to shift attention to the neighborhood as a “place” rather merely a spatial and functional planning unit. The core premise of the concept is that critical urban services and amenities should be reachable within 15 min of walking or cycling from a residence. The urban-planning principles that enable the realization of the 15-minute city variably embody planning in mixed-use neighborhood units, proximity-based planning, planning for active transport, citizen participation in planning, and innovation and intelligence-driven planning. We revisit these urban-planning premises in the light of emerging social, physical, and structural developments through 2030, with a focus on European cases. The findings provide important additions and recommendations to the urban-planning principles of 15-minute cities along the themes of proximity-based planning, the use of land and urban form, urban governance and citizen participation, and inclusive digitalization. The paper moves the discussion on the 15-minute city forward and will be helpful for urban planners, policymakers, and scholars seeking to envision and create a more sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant future in cities