The challenge of incorporating smart city activities in medium-size cities: The case of Greece

Abstract

A major challenge affecting the potential of a smart city project in achieving local community expectations is the extent to which local communities are involved not only in the planning, but also in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation phases (or, to put it differently, in the co-production process). There is a need for a ‘co-smartisation’ process to evolve. The present paper provides a general analytical and policy framework for this co-smartisation process to be implemented successfully. Attention is given to medium-size cities as the risks associated with smart city projects in such cities are higher due to such factors as limited operational, managerial and cooperation capacity. Trikala and Heraklion, two Greek medium-size cities, are used as case studies in order to illustrate potential strategies for consolidating the participation of local communities in smart projects at the medium-size city level in the southern European regional context. Copyright © 2017 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.