Современная городская политика и перспективы реализации концепции «умного города»

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to consider modern urban policy aimed at achieving sustainable development by cities and implementing the concept of «smart cities». Subject. The study of the prospects for the implementation of the concept of «smart city» based on modern digital and technological developments, in order to achieve the goal of cities sustainable development. Target groups. In order to be able to find new solutions that should be reflected in modern urban policies towards «smart cities», to solve social problems, authors turn to policymakers responsible for urban policy development and to «solution providers». This study may resonate with the scientific community. The methodology applied for this study is based on analytical and logical methods for analyzing the processes associated with the development of modern urban policy and the implementation of the concept of «smart city», a comparative analysis of case studies, practical developments of cities in this area. Results. It is shown that at the present stage of development, the concept of «smart city» needs to be considered in as an integral part of urban policy. It is demonstrated that despite different definitions of urban policy, it remains important that city policies include tasks that contribute to sustainable development, the transition to the paradigm of inclusive and «green» cities. It is shown that the use of the advantages of digital technologies in cities is crucial to ensure the consistent achievement of sustainability. A SWOT-analysis is realized, showing that initiatives embedded in urban policy carry a wide range of opportunities and allow solving a complex of economic, social, and environmental problems, and knowledge of potential weaknesses makes it possible to «turn» them into opportunities or laying down ways to overcome them. Options for thematic areas and planned actions in the development of a modern city policy are considered. It is proposed to compare the developed modern urban policy with the existing best practices, taking into account different approaches to the typology of cities, using a system of indicators. The shortcomings typical for most cities in the development of urban policy and the barriers that hinder its implementation are identified. It is concluded that cities, among other things, will strive for sustainable development as part of the implementation of the concept of «smart city» with a greater emphasis on digital technologies, innovative solutions, potential in the field of big data.