Global Trends of Smart Cities: A Comparative Analysis of Geography, City Size, Governance, and Urban Planning

Global Trends of Smart Cities is a book that analyzes 135 cities that participated in the IBM's Smarter Cities Challenge from 2010-2017, providing evidence-based benchmarking of city geographies, sizes, governance structures, and local planning contexts. It uses descriptive statistical analysis and real-world case study narratives to evaluate the factors that contribute to the diversity of smart city approaches worldwide. While the Challenge is not representative of all smart cities, its global presence and involvement with a wide range of cities offer a solid foundation for comparative research.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 07 April 2021
Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc

The Global Trends of Smart Cities is a comprehensive analysis that delves into the comprehensive examination of 135 cities that actively participated in the IBM's Smarter Cities Challenge from 2010 to 2017. This study offers an integrated approach to understanding the diverse trends and characteristics of smart cities worldwide. By employing a combination of descriptive statistical analysis and real-world case study narratives, the book aims to establish evidence-based benchmarking for key urban variables such as city geographies, sizes, governance structures, and local planning contexts.

The authors recognize that the Smarter Cities Challenge represents a specific set of smart initiatives and may not encompass the entirety of smart cities globally. Nevertheless, the challenge's global presence across five continents and its engagement with 135 cities of varying sizes and socioeconomic backgrounds provide a robust foundation for conducting comparative research on smart cities. Given the limited comparative research available in this field, this book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the current state of smart city development within urban governments across the globe.

The book begins by providing an overview of the smart city concept and its evolution over time. It explores the various drivers and motivations behind the development of smart cities, including the need for sustainable urbanization, improved infrastructure, enhanced public services, and increased economic growth. The authors then delve into the methodology employed in the study, which involves a comprehensive analysis of data collected from various sources, including government reports, academic studies, and industry reports.

The subsequent chapters present a detailed examination of the global trends in smart city development. The book identifies key urban variables that contribute to the diversity of smart city approaches, such as city size, governance structure, urban planning context, and technological infrastructure. Each chapter provides a comprehensive analysis of these variables, exploring their impact on smart city development and the strategies employed by different cities to leverage them effectively.

Furthermore, the book includes real-world case study narratives that showcase the successes and challenges faced by individual cities in their smart city journeys. These case studies provide valuable insights into the practical implementation of smart city initiatives and the lessons learned from both successful and unsuccessful experiences. The authors use these case studies to illustrate the importance of a holistic and integrated approach to smart city development, emphasizing the need for collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and a long-term vision.

In conclusion, The Global Trends of Smart Cities is a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners interested in understanding the evolving landscape of smart cities worldwide. By providing a comprehensive analysis of 135 cities and employing a rigorous methodology, the book offers valuable insights into the key factors that drive smart city development, the challenges faced by cities, and the strategies employed to overcome them. The real-world case study narratives provide practical examples of successful smart city initiatives and serve as a testament to the potential of smart cities to transform urban environments and improve the quality of life for citizens.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 191 x 232 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780128198865