Exploratory Research on the Success Factors and Challenges of Smart City Projects

As urbanization and its consequences become the issue of modern cities, the concept of Smart City comes as the solution. Though a lot of researches on the topic is done, still no clear definition is given for both: Smart City itself and the factors of a successful Smart City. While most of the literature centers the role of ICT it is not a sufficient condition for a city to become Smart; the role of intellectual capital is underestimated. Using a collection of Smart City definitions across the time and providing concrete cases, this research seeks to bridge definition gaps and creates a tool for understanding Smart Cities. Drawing on the findings of several case studies, this research derives several explanatory factors. The citizen’s engagement and governance are identified as the two key success factors of Smart City Projects along with ICT and other factors as enablers. The research has purpose as follows: 1) To bridge definition gaps of the “Smart City” by defining the term “Smart City,” based on existing concepts and characteristic mechanisms across times.; 2) To develop an analytical tool for Smart City success factors through Explanatory Variables.; and 3) To identify major challenges and barriers of Smart City Projects implementations and to provide recommendations and solutions, based on existing governmental initiatives and pilot projects.The research contributes to the knowledge of smart cities and ICT integration for urbanization issues solution. By applying the findings of this research at the managerial level stakeholders may benefit by getting higher efficiency of the Smart City Projects and by utilizing knowledge and values of a Smart City Projects in a prioritized way.