Urban development management based on the concept of Smart City in the Western region of Ukraine

Abstract

The article proves that the need to modify urban management systems in Ukraine in accordance with the new Smart City concept of urban planning arose in the context of the rapid digitalization of society. The analysis of strategic priorities for the implementation of the Smart City concept in the practice of Ukrainian cities at the central, regional (Western region of Ukraine), and local (cities of regional significance) levels is conducted. The comparison and review of the practice of using open data and various e-services by administrations of 34 cities of regional significance in the Western region of Ukraine are carried out. The state of implementation of e-government tools by local authorities is determined. The division of cities of regional significance in the Western region of Ukraine according to the level of use of e-services, which are presented on their official websites, into four groups (passive; beginners; active; progressive) is carried out on the basis of the results of the analysis. The key problems of local policy of the cities of regional significance transformation in the Western region of Ukraine are identified, including: lack of a common vision on the further development of cities and communities on the basis of the Smart City concept by central, regional, and local authorities; the issue of approving strategies for the development of cities of regional significance remains unresolved; uneven introduction of innovative technologies in the management systems of the cities of regional significance development in the Western region on the basis of the Smart City concept, first of all, open data; low level of international activity of administrations of cities. Priority areas for improving regional and local policies to ensure sustainable urban development in accordance with the Smart City criteria are justified.