Investigation of the smart cities strategies within the United Kingdom

The Smart City (SC) concept has emerged as an innovative response to the challenges and opportunities faced by cities around the world. However, despite many attempts to implement various strategies, many organisations within the United Kingdom still encounter difficulties embedding the smart city agenda in their systems and processes. The aim of this research is to develop a strategic framework for implementing smart city strategies in the United Kingdom to improve the quality of life for its citizens. Exploratory qualitative research was undertaken due to the lack of strategy frameworks on the subject. This research explores the understanding of the smart city school of thought and the evaluation of the smart city concept from economic, digital, environmental, and citizen’s perspectives. Additionally, this study strives to investigate the key policy challenges that help to innovate smart cities and how the governments of smart cities can use technology and smart city infrastructure such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Furthermore, this research develops and evaluates the strategic smart city framework. Twenty-five key influential business CEOs in the smart city sector were chosen and through snowball sampling, the participants were interviewed. Through the literature review and the thematic analysis of the interviews, firstly, the different perspectives of smart cities were identified (citizen, environmental, digital, and economic perspectives) and the key challenges that affect the innovation of smart cities were found from the government’s point of view and policy development aspect. It was found that the technology infrastructure (IT/ICT), cybersecurity, funding, stakeholders, and their collaboration with the government and citizens, as well as the knowledge and awareness of smart cities. Strategic challenges were highlighted as the main inhibitor of smart city implementation within the United Kingdom. The framework developed provides valuable insights and serves as a roadmap for decision-makers, providing them with the tools, strategies and guidance they need to plan and implement initiatives that improve the quality of life for citizens, by leveraging data, improving citizen engagement, encouraging collaboration, and prioritising privacy and security, cities can realise the full potential of smart technologies to improve quality of life and drive economic growth. By following the framework, decision-makers can ensure that smart city projects are aligned with the city's goals and priorities and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wolverhampton

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Keshvardoost, Sina

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Suresh, Subashini
• Renukappa, Suresh

• smart city
• strategy
• development
• ICT
• IoT
• governance
• technology
• cybersecurity
• mobility
• environment

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Licence

• https://wlv.dspace7.openrepository.com/bitstreams/85eb114c-2975-4277-a24e-bdb089e3edda/download