Towards an Integrated Framework to Measure Smart City Readiness: The Case of Iranian Cities

Negar Noori,Thomas Hoppe,Martin de Jong

doi:10.3390/smartcities3030035

Negar Noori, Thomas Hoppe + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities3030035

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Abstract

This paper introduces an indicator system to measure and assess smart city readiness. Analyzing smart city initiatives in Iran as case studies, the theoretical framework we present reflects on how cities explore the possibility of becoming smart, and prepare themselves to begin implementing the transition towards becoming a smart city. This theoretical framework is then applied to four Iranian cities aspiring to become smart and that already possess credible smart city brands. The findings reveal that the most significant difficulty in Iran is associated with the political context. The changing urban governance model is the most important factor in Iranian smart cities’ readiness. Utilization of open data policies and data sharing, as well as making reforms in government structures are all considered a sine qua non to gain momentum. Based on the results of our empirical analysis a Theory of Change is developed to address the cities’ technological, socio-economic, and political readiness vis-à-vis the desired transition. The framework for measuring smart city readiness and the Theory of Change provide practical guidelines to developing systematic roadmaps for developing and implementing smart city policies.

Highlights

Conferences, seminars, and statements of executives and government officials and academic articles around the smart city topic reflect growing attention to formulating programs associated with smart city development [1]
A poll conducted by the state-run Iran Students Polling Agency (ISPA) in 2019 confirmed that only 15 percent of the citizens of Tehran were satisfied with the government [70]
Through a descriptive-analytical approach, the present study sought to address the following questions: How to determine whether cities are ready for a transition into Smart Cities? What does an indicator system measuring smart city readiness look like? To what extent do Iranian cities meet the minimum requirements to become smart?

Summary

Introduction

Conferences, seminars, and statements of executives and government officials and academic articles around the smart city topic reflect growing attention to formulating programs associated with smart city development [1]. The Iranian government, as one of these followers, has always mentioned globalization in its policy documents and visions and recently smart urban development amidst globalization appears in many policy documents drafted by Iran’s largest cities. Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Urmia, and Qom are the largest Iranian cities and are using a smart label in their profile. This is part of an overarching national smart city program [6]. Some of Iran’s neighboring countries have taken considerable steps to develop smart cities of their own They have used Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to solve urban management problems by learning from strategic and technical approaches to develop ‘smart-city’ capabilities, in particular based on good practice. In the UAE, Dubai has made significant progress in recent years [5,7]

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