Abstract
ABSTRACT The concept of smart cities has evolved from a technology and data-driven approach to a more human-centred and inclusive model. This paper explores the shift in smart city development towards a focus on human-centric and inclusive solutions while suggesting a novel evaluation framework for these smart city initiatives. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study identifies key challenges in evaluating smart city initiatives including the lack of standardized evaluation frameworks, limited focus on social and environmental outcomes, and the need for citizen participation. To address these challenges, the paper proposes a theoretical framework grounded in a realist evaluation approach. This framework incorporates a Theory of Change (ToC) that outlines the causal pathways and contextual factors underlying smart city initiatives. The proposed framework is designed to guide the evaluation of smart city initiatives by providing specific evaluation criteria and sub-criteria that are aligned with the objectives of inclusive and sustainable urban development. By highlighting the importance of human-centric and inclusive approaches and providing a practical evaluation framework, the paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on smart cities and their evaluation.
Published Version
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