Urban living labs as public policy for smart cities: Evidence from tech parks in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Technology Park projects have been developed as Urban Living Labs to plan compact and multifunctional cities that integrate sustainability and innovation. Due to accelerated urbanization, the climate crisis, and post-pandemic challenges in the Global South, governments, businesses, and academia are working together on solutions for smarter and more sustainable cities. In this regard, a case study of the International Hub for Sustainable Development (HIDS) in Campinas, São Paulo, was conducted to comprehend these projects' potential in urban planning processes. This exploratory research is based on data collection following a mix of primary and secondary data and semi-structured interviews with 11 members of the HIDS advisory board with a technical profile. The results demonstrate how this type of initiative in Brazil has been configured as a public policy of innovation with the potential to boost urban planning for smart and sustainable cities. Over time, these projects have multiplied in the country, reaching 93 in 2021, with 58 in operation, 13 in the implementation stage, and 22 in planning.