Unboxing the blackbox of human-centric and inclusive smart city initiatives: a theory based evaluation framework

ABSTRACT

The concept of smart cities has evolved from a technology and data-driven approach to a more human-centred and inclusive model. This paper explores the shift in smart city development towards a focus on human-centric and inclusive solutions while suggesting a novel evaluation framework for these smart city initiatives. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study identifies key challenges in evaluating smart city initiatives including the lack of standardized evaluation frameworks, limited focus on social and environmental outcomes, and the need for citizen participation. To address these challenges, the paper proposes a theoretical framework grounded in a realist evaluation approach. This framework incorporates a Theory of Change (ToC) that outlines the causal pathways and contextual factors underlying smart city initiatives. The proposed framework is designed to guide the evaluation of smart city initiatives by providing specific evaluation criteria and sub-criteria that are aligned with the objectives of inclusive and sustainable urban development. By highlighting the importance of human-centric and inclusive approaches and providing a practical evaluation framework, the paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on smart cities and their evaluation.

KEYWORDS:

• Smart city evaluation
• theory of change
• generative causation
• realist approach
• inclusive smart city

Acknowledgement

Authors would like to extend gratitude to the Secretary General of WEGO World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization Jung Sook Park for her valuable insights and comments. We also want to thank Elena Cho and Deborah Kang for their administrative support.

Disclosure statement

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

Notes

1 The other two prioritized problems acknowledged were ‘lack of convenient infrastructure (11.5%)’ and ‘environmental pollution (11.2%)’. Other areas that need new technology for solution are smart employment (14.6%), smart environment (11.6%), smart health (11.6%) and smart surveillance (8.7%).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jae Eun Shin

Jae Eun Shin is a research professor at Institute for Global Engagement and Empowerment, Yonsei University. Her expertise lies in policy and project evaluation, policy analysis, and social experimentation, especially in the field of international development. She received a Ph.D. in Public Policy at the Graduate School of Public Administration, Seoul National University. She finished her M.I.A. from School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University, and a B.A. from Tufts University. Her current research focuses on evaluation of the integrated development approach, meta-evaluation of multi-site projects, and evaluation of smart city initiatives, including private-public-people partnership projects.

Moonyoung Joe

Moonyoung Joe is a Senior Researcher Hyundai Research Institute. She holds a Master and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from the Graduate School of Public Administration, Seoul National University. She received a B.A. in English Education from Ewha Womans University in Seoul. Her research focus is primarily on the evaluation of international development programs and public policy at large, with a special emphasis on public health and welfare projects.

Eunsol Kim

Eunsol Kim is a senior researcher at Center for International Development Evaluation at Seoul National University, Graduate School of Public Administration. As a Ph.D. candidate, she maintains her research focus on evaluation of public policy and international development. She received B.A. in Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University, and M.P.A. from Graduate School of Public Administration, Seoul National University.

Nagyung Kang

Nagyung Kang is a graduate student majoring Public Administration at Seoul National University, Graduate School of Public Administration. She is also working at the Center for International Development Evaluation as a researcher. She received a B.A. from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies majoring Spanish. She is interested in evaluation of public policy and projects in the field of international development cooperation.

Jaemin Lee

Jaemin Lee is an intern at IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development). Before working at IFAD, she worked at the Center for International Development Evaluation as a researcher. She holds a B.A. and M.A. from Seoul National University and her research interest lies in policy and project evaluation in the field of International Development.

Suk-Won Lee

Lee Seok Won is a professor at Seoul National University, specializing in Welfare Policy, Welfare System Reform, Policy Evaluation, Policy Analysis, and Social Experimentation. He received a Ph.D. in Public Administration, Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University in 2000. He completed his M.P.A. from the Graduate School of Public Administration at Seoul National University. And he has worked as a consultant and research associate for Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC) in New York.