Smart cities initiatives in the era of the twin transition; opportunities and challenges for municipal governance

Abstract

Smart cities are a key concept for the realisation of the so–called twin transition, namely the green and digital transitions, as they use technological tools to promote a more sustainable way of life and improve the quality of life. Furthermore, the twin transition provides an opportunity for smart cities to align with human rights. According to the European Commission, "a smart city is a place where the traditional networks and services are made more efficient with the use of digital and telecommunication technologies, for the benefit of its inhabitants and businesses". Smart city initiatives may have important efficiency and sustainability gains, providing new ways to deliver public services and optimising the use of idle or surplus resources. However, these opportunities are accompanied by significant implementation challenges (e.g. legal ambiguities and breaches in regulatory frameworks, as well as human and technological capacity gaps within city administrations). Digital innovation also involves risks (e.g. privacy and consumer protection, fair competition, the potential to exacerbate exclusion in the case of a strong digital divide). Implementing smart city initiatives also requires managing trade-offs among policy objectives (e.g. "smart" initiatives might not produce more environmentally sustainable or inclusive results). Furthermore, ethical dilemmas associated with the development of smart cities remain a focus, particularly in relation to governance, democracy and the right to freedom of opinion and expression. While these cities provide platforms for civic engagement and participation, questions arise about the ethical implications of these systems in upholding democratic principles and ensuring the full exercise of rights. Reconciling technological advancement with ethical considerations requires a sound ethical framework that protects human rights, ensures transparency and upholds accountability. The purpose of the panel is to critically examine how different European municipalities design and implement smart cities initiatives in the era of green and digital transitions. The panel organisers invite submissions of papers including the following questions: ▪️ How to measure how smart a city is? ▪️ How successful can smart cities initiatives be in practice – in terms of maximising opportunities, successfully addressing challenges, minimising risks and managing trade-offs? ▪️ What is the role of the European Union in promoting and supporting smart cities initiatives? ▪️ What are the implications of these initiatives for municipal and multilevel governance in Europe? ▪️ How can smart cities facilitate the twin transition while upholding ethical standards and fundamental human rights? ▪️ What impact do smart cities have on the right to privacy? ▪️ How can smart cities support the twin transition while enforcing human rights? ▪️ How do smart cities support the right to freedom of opinion and expression? ▪️ Can ethics in democracy and municipal e-governance go hand in hand?

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