Smart Model Assessment Resilient Tool (SMART) A tool for assessing truly smart cities

Cavada, Marianna (2019). Smart Model Assessment Resilient Tool (SMART) A tool for assessing truly smart cities. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

Preview

Cavada2019PhD_Redacted.pdf
Text - Redacted Version
Available under License All rights reserved.
Download (4MB) | Preview

Cavada2019PhD_AppendixF-G.pdf
Text - Supplemental Material
Restricted to Repository staff only
Available under License All rights reserved.
Download (542kB)

Abstract

The smart cities discourse is a contemporary expression of urban matters, covering a wide area of scientific approaches. A general perception in smartness focuses on the technological developments that refer to city management and operations, often supported by corporations that act as service providers to cities and to individuals, as customers. This thesis, which views smartness through the liveability lens, re-examines the role of the smart city, providing evidence to assess the processes adopted in becoming smart. This thesis argues that current terminologies for ‘smart’ do not clearly define what ‘smart’ needs to contain if cities are to become more sustainable, resilient and liveable; that is, if ‘smart’ is to realise its full value. Notably the smart cities literature reveals that smartness can be perceived differently by different stakeholders, and sometimes with a strong focus on the economic pillar of sustainability. For this reason, it is argued that liveability should be a central feature of smartness if smartness is to realise its full potential in providing benefits to the population of a smart city. The term ‘truly smart’ is used herein to include considerations of people and the planet alongside economic and system efficiency and effectiveness. Consequently, it is argued that cities should adopt initiatives according to what is truly smart, that is assessed according to their liveability value.

This thesis describes the development of the Smart Model Assessment Resilient Tool (SMART) to assess whether cities are taking actions (i.e. adopting initiatives) that will move them towards ‘true smartness’. It was found that CityLIFE, developed within the multidisciplinary EPSRC-funded research project ‘Liveable Cities’, is the most appropriate tool for an assessment of liveability in cities and this is accordingly included as part of the SMART to assess the liveability potential of the smart city initiatives. SMART is trialled in four case studies (Birmingham, London, Copenhagen, and Singapore) and, in the case of the two UK cities (Birmingham and London), the results are compared against qualitative research involving local smart city experts to understand better their local needs and priorities. This process included in a SMART analysis can be deployed via group discussions to support decision making in cities, and more generally enable city decision-makers to assess current smart cities policies and initiatives and prioritise proposed initiatives. This will help to ensure that cities become more liveable, enhancing city living for the individual and supporting planetary well-being in cities now and in the future.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):