FEATURED PANEL: Smart Cities: Politics, Policy and Governance. Sponsored by IPSA

Abstract

The idea of “smart cities” has spread globally, though it encompasses a wide range of applications. At its most basic, a smart city initiative is one that employs information and communication technologies to address urban needs. The European Commission defines smart cities as improving “urban life through more sustainable integrated solutions” (http://ec.europa.eu/eip/smartcities/). Operationally, smart city solutions have addressed a variety of policy areas, but there is an underlying theme that the use of technology makes possible new forms of governance that are more participatory, open, collaborative, accountable, networked, and efficient. How do we understand the politics, policy, and governance of the use of technology in cities – to what extent are these technologies transforming politics and governance, and what are the consequences for local democracy and effective governing?