Abstract
In the paper, a case of a Russian town, Gatchina, is examined to find the reasonable balance between international smart city practice, governmental requirements, historical identity preservation, and human-oriented approach. The article focuses on the democratic urban design of a public space. The project included qualitative and quantitative research, three project sessions with local inhabitants, and preparation of an architectural project based on the collected data. During the design process, organizers faced two types of challenges—economic (shortage of funding) and communication issues (difficulties with informing and recruiting the citizens for the project sessions, under representativeness of some target groups, etc.)—whereby the latter dominate. Nevertheless, the project was effective; it showed that such towns can afford smart city (though by separate projects only) and that collaboration with the citizens contributes to both history and culture preservation and effective competition in federal grants for smart city development.
Highlights
The article focuses on the democratic urban design of a public space
The project was effective; it showed that such towns can afford smart city and that collaboration with the citizens contributes to both history and culture preservation and effective competition in federal grants for smart city development
Smart City is not a strength of Russia: the level of implementation of technological innovations and orientation towards the citizens cannot compare to Smart City leaders
Summary
Smart City is not a strength of Russia: the level of implementation of technological innovations and orientation towards the citizens cannot compare to Smart City leaders. Nowadays the Russian government is taking measures to narrow the gap: national programs on digitalization are being launched and the standard requirements for Smart Cities are being published. Other types of cities have little resources and opportunities to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Construction, which are the same for any type of settlements and are not adjusted according to the number of population, historical background, and geographical and financial conditions. Gatchina has little funding to implement innovations; on the other, the historical background of the town prevents standard solutions.
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