Modern Foreign Approaches to Defining the Concept of Smart City

Abstract

The relevance of this paper is strengthened by the significant proliferation of smart city projects worldwide as well as the importance of developing the comprehensive urban development strategies in the post-war recovery of Ukraine. The author focuses on systematizing the theoretical and practical understanding of smart cities, in terms of the international practices. Firstly, the article establishes a correlation between the concept of a smart city and frequently used terms such as “learning city,” “wise city,” “innovation city,” “digital city,” “e-city,” “sustainable (green) city,” and “wired city.” Secondly, it analyzes the characteristics of three models of defining the concept of a smart city such as the technological approach, sustainable development approach, and component-based approach. Thirdly, the article explores teleological, functional, and descriptive approaches to formulating definitions that can be applied in practice. The author emphasizes the importance of having a comprehensive, purposeoriented definition or a series of definitions for the concept of a smart city in order to develop effective strategies at various levels, including local, regional, and national. It is pointed out that such a strategy should be based on the principles of sustainable development, human-centricity, transparency, and openness, while promoting education, partnerships, collaboration, while preserving security, confidentiality, and accessibility. The primary goal outlined in the strategic vision of a smart city should be to ensure the sustainable development of cities, enhance the well-being of people, and enable the safe utilization of advanced technologies and digital solutions. The article proposes a working format for defining the concept, based on in-depth literature review and an overview of international perspectives. The findings are intended to have promising implications for the development of effective multi-level city development strategies for the sustainable recovery of Ukraine.