Assessing smart city projects and their implications for public policy in the Global South

ABSTRACT

This article aims to assess critically different definitions and indicators of smart cities. Drawing on exemplary case studies, the author proposes a typology of four categories of smart cities: type A are the world leaders who pioneer ideas not predicated on smart city projects; type B are aspirational cities punching above their weight; type C are surprise transformers that use the smart city concept to propel real transformation; and type D are cases where smart city projects do not directly address the main urban problems. The discussion highlights the need to prevent ‘smart-wash’ by avoiding superficial technological solutions that chase symptoms but not causes of some of the complex urban challenges that they are intending to address. In conclusion, the author considers the public policy implications of applying these typologies to cities in general with particular reference to the Global South.

KEYWORDS:

• Smart cities
• definitions of smart sustainable cities (SSC)
• SSC indicators
• typologies of smart cities

Acknowledgements

This article draws on research carried out under a British Academy grant entitled ‘Infrastructure for sustainability: Better infrastructure governance ideas for inclusive, smart and sustainable cities’. The views expressed here are of those of the author and should not be attributed to his employer or funder.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by British Academy: [grant number IPM 15008].

Notes on contributors

Prathivadi B. Anand

Prathivadi B. Anand is a Reader in Environmental Economics and Public Policy, with a special interest in sustainable cities and urban governance focussing on cities in South and South East Asia, and Sub Saharan Africa. He has a keen interest in policy analysis and indicators for Sustainable Development Goals. With Julio Marko, he guest edited the special issue of Telecommunications Policy (42 (10), 2018) on the governance and economics of smart cities. He is the co-editor of The Handbook of BRICS and emerging economies (Oxford University Press, 2019) and of New frontiers of the capability approach (Cambridge University Press, 2018).