Place-based Strategies for Smart City Development

Smart City as a widespread concept for city development around the world, Esposito et al. (2021) calls regional governments to formulate place-based strategies that are aligned with the context of each municipality. One size does not fit all when implementing smart city initiatives in cities with different socio-economic situations. Smart City should be a policy instrument to overcome the most pressing issues based on the territorial and population distinction of every city. 

A more active role of government to understand and label urban challenges unique to a municipality is key to determine and effective smart city policy intervention.  Esposito et al. (2021) gives two examples of strategies that are well suited to two different socio-economic contexts. One, for cities with greater economic prosperity, smart technological solutions may be implemented in a more holistic way that tackles issues with more complex, interrelated components. While developing cities, may adopt smart cities in a narrower approach that are more straightforward, such as to improve the business innovation environment and digital training for the workforce.

Reference:

Esposito, G., Clement, J., Mora, L., & Crutzen, N. (2021). One size does not fit all: Framing smart city policy narratives within regional socio-economic contexts in Brussels and Wallonia. Cities, 118, 103329.