Experts on the Smart City: Problems of Perception

Abstract

Based on the materials of an empirical study conducted in 2021 among experts from Yekaterinburg, the authors consider the goals, tasks and problems of implementing the concept of “Smart City”. Representatives of science, education, mass media, legislative and executive authorities, political analysts examine the main aspects of the concept, the tasks of including different groups of the public in its creation. The authors note that in Yekaterinburg, as a major scientific and educational center of the region, there are professional and other associations of residents who are ready to actively participate in devising plans for the innovative development of the regional center. The paper shows that at the moment many experts do not have enough information about the content of the concept of “Smart City” both in Russia and in Yekaterinburg. So far it has been based on the idea of broad digitalization of all spheres of decision-making and implementation of management in the interaction of government with the population. The authors conclude that science and education should become the engines of the creation and implementation in practice of its main provisions to ensure the innovative development of a large metropolis.