Smart/er sustainable cities

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the next step in the journey to achieving greater sustainability in cities. The sustainable city is a normative concept and cities all over the world are working towards greater sustainability, as prescribed by Agenda 21. The smart city has also come to the fore but does not predominantly emphasise the environmental issues which are key to the sustainable city. Both typologies are discussed briefly, followed by a deeper analysis of the smart sustainable city model.

The key dimensions of people/society and institutions/governance are highlighted together with the role that technology/information and communication technologies (ICTs) play in the performance of cities in the future.

In as much as this model is not fully developed, the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) framework is examined. The key dimensions of people/society and institutions/governance are highlighted together with the role that technology/information and communication technologies (ICTs) play in the performance of cities in the future. Creativity and leadership as drivers for both former dimensions are discussed in greater depth in terms of the visions for future cities and the latter is explored as a core component in achieving the smart sustainable city (SSC).

Understanding the city and thereby, it’s context, is also seen as an important factor of the smart sustainable city. As a result, an holistic approach is required for this type of model. Creativity, visions, leadership and organizational transition in structure are required factors which merit greater attention in the transformation of contemporary cities into smart sustainable cities. In addition, the challenges that may result from this transformation will need to be addressed.