Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Hicks, Barbara

Area of Concentration

Political Science

Abstract

The concept of Smart Cities, originating in 2009 and solidified by ISO 37120:2018, has piqued global interest as cities strive to adapt to future technology, urban design, and sustainability. This paper explores the intricate dynamics between state and private funding in Smart City transitions, as well as the technological choices, focusing on comparing cities with historical infrastructure and those rebuilt after being devastated. Cities with special administrative status and major ports naturally aligned with the criteria for mature smart cities during the filtering process. Four mature Smart Cities - Berlin, Boston, Busan, and Shanghai - were selected for their relatively developed Smart City programs and their variation in infrastructure. The study revealed that cities with historical infrastructure, like Boston and Busan, tend to seek private sector partnerships to cater to their unique needs, which off-the-shelf plans may not accommodate. Conversely, cities rebuilt after devastation, such as Shanghai and Berlin, prefer off-the-shelf plans with minimal modifications, as these plans are designed for modern infrastructure. The preference for state or private funding in relation to unitary or federal governing systems was less clear. While unitary systems leaned towards state funding, federal cases were inconclusive, with Berlin and Boston opting for public and private funding respectively. This study serves as a stepping stone in the growing field of Smart Cities, and future research building upon this initial analysis will be crucial in understanding how Smart Cities develop and interact with governments, constituents, and the environment.

Download

Share

COinS