Determinant Factors for the Formation and Development of a Smart Territory

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At present, the concept of regional development is based on the principles of planning, which involve smart growth and sustainable development. In most cases, a smart territory is understood as a sustainable and efficient territory that provides a high quality of life to its inhabitants through optimal management of its resources. In addition, this approach may be employed in identifying a smart territory and in the strategic planning of it as well as in the efficient use of resources in the territory. Most research studies focus on smart growth, which involves the sustainable use of resources, the development of the e-environment, solutions to urbanisation problems, waste management, environmental management, etc. However, few research studies are available on the factors determining a smart territory and their influence on territorial development. For this reason, research studies contributing to examining the groups of influencing factors in the aspect of formation of smart territories are important. In addition, the spectrum (i.e., types) of the factors is assumed to be very diverse. If it is assumed that smart growth and the formation of a smart territory is based on systems and subsystems that shape a complex perspective on the formation of a territory, such groups may involve not only the economic aspect but also the social, life quality, and sustainable community and business development aspects. The research aim is to identify the factors that influence the formation of a smart territory and to assess their effects on territorial development. The specific research tasks are as follows: (1) select the factors that influence the formation of a smart territory; and (2) assess the selected factors in terms of their influence on the development of a smart territory. Research methods employed include logical construction, monographic, focus-group analysis, and analytic hierarchy process.