Abstract
The issue of sustainability of smart cities is approached in this chapter from two different angles: dimensions sector-specific and city governance. Following a short review of smart city sectors, emphasis is placed on the concept of smart governance of cities. The concept of smart governance is reviewed especially regarding cooperation with city governments of other cities within the region or country and empowering citizens. Different levels are presented with focus on four main conditions for smart governance, namely participation in decision-making, public and social services, transparent governance, and political strategies and perspectives. The chapter presents sustainability of smart governance through a paradigm of sustainability as an effectual model based on sustainability, wellbeing, productivity, and resilience. Finally, the chapter addresses the success criteria of sustainable smart cities regarding different aspects, such open data, agility to new technologies, cross-sectoral harmonization, and careful policy, strategy, and program alignment.
TopSmart Dimensions
The development of smart cities should not be viewed in a holistic manner that is not a unified mode of development (Alcatel-Lucent, 2012). This development could be viewed horizontally where specific development is planned for specific sectors. Similar sectors that share much of their requirements (such as data, procedures etc.) can be grouped together referred to as a dimension. For example, different economic procedures and processes as transferred in e-services, many of the data are shared. Transactions and taxes for example, are used in different economic processes. So, the Economic domain can be subdivided into several sectors of economic nature. All these sectors are referred to as a dimension, in this case it is the economic dimensions. As smart technology (sensors, online e-services, analytics, etc. are used, then it is referred to as a smart economic dimension (Archer & Bezdecny, 2016).
These dimensions are referred to as pillars too. Six distinct dimensions classified as smart pillars are suggested (Giffinger et al., 2007), and adopted by the European Union. These are fundamental to the actuality of smart cities. One can consider a city that has well established itself in these six pillars fully as a true smart city. “Partially smart” is a description of a traditional city that is having some sector(s) being transformed. Some cities, driven by its nature, priorities for citizen, public service and scarcity of resources may result in having a city focusing on one or more sector, and touch a little on others.
These dimensions are accepted worldwide in smart cities development. However, they are by no means the ultimate standard. Localization of these dimensions is often practiced by strategists and smart city professionals. Examples can be seen in cities like Vienna (Best Practices Hub Wien, 2012).
Table 1. | Smart Economy (Competitiveness) | Smart People (Social and Human Capital) |
✓ Innovative spirit
✓ Entrepreneurship
✓ Economic image & trademarks
✓ Productivity
✓ Flexibility of Labor market
✓ International Embeddedness
✓ Ability to transform | ✓ Level of qualification
✓ Affinity to lifelong learning
✓ Social and ethnic plurality
✓ Flexibility
✓ Creativity
✓ Cosmopolitanism/ Open-mindedness
Participation in public life |
| Smart Governance (Participation) | Smart Mobility (Transport and ICT) |
✓ Participation in decision-making
✓ Public and social services
✓ Transparent governance
✓ Political strategies & perspectives | ✓ Local accessibility
✓ (Inter-)national accessibility
✓ Availability of ICT infrastructure
✓ Sustainable, innovative and safe transport systems |