Hype vs Reality in Smart City Development Projects
Supraja Sudharsan
PhD Student
The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs
For Science Technology and Innovation Policy Program
June - Aug 2018
• Spending on technologies for smart cities estimated to go from an estimated $80 billion in 2018 to $135 billion in 2020 worldwide
• Regions with highest estimated spending are the United States and China
Source: International Data Corporation, 2018
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
What is a “Smart” City?
In general, a city that uses data and technology to control and improve the living environment.
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Smart City Projects
Data Layer
Data Collection Data StorageData Aggregation
and AnalysisData Use
Technology and Infrastructure Layer (Eg: Sensors, Connectivity, Data centers, Data platform)
Adapted from: Sudharsan et al. (2018); Heppelmann and Porter (2014); Mayangsari and Novani (2015, p.320).
City Services
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Research Approach and Methodology
Approach• Comparative study of smart city
projects in Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX and Pittsburgh, PA.
Methodology • Collected over 200 smart cities
projects.
• Case studies of Atlanta, Austin, and Pittsburgh smart cities’ plans, projects and their management.
Findings
• Plans
• Projects and Partnerships
• Organizational process
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
City of Atlanta(2015)
• Input-oriented
• Utilize data for decision-making
• Wide focus on issue areas
City of Austin(2016)
• Process-oriented
• Efficiency of problem-solving
• Wide focus on issue areas
City of Pittsburgh (2014)
• Outcome-oriented
• Leader in transportation innovation
• Targeted issue area
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Smart City Plans
Analysis: City of Atlanta Projects
Utilize data for decision-making
27
1316
4 5
Mobility Public safety OperationalEfficiency
Publicengagement
Environmental
• Greater number of mobility projects.
• Began with IOT-oriented projects initially and later included projects that made use of existing data.
• Smart street lights, acoustic sensor in high crime areas.
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Analysis: City of Atlanta Partnerships
Analysis: City of Atlanta Organizational Process
Originating department
Executive Governance Board
Information Management
Resources, funding, vendor selection and management
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Analysis: City of Austin Projects
26
39
28 6 7
Mobility Internal Safety Public andbusiness
engagement
Energy Environment
• Greater range of projects across IOT deployment, development of infrastructure, and development of capabilities across data processes.
• First piloted projects on mobility.
• First prioritized projects included open data and traffic signal timing.
Improving efficiency in providing city services
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Analysis: City of Austin Partnerships
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Information Management
Office of Design and Delivery
Designers Developers City Departments
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Analysis: City of Austin Organizational Process
Type of projects Transportation and Mobility (9)
Initiated Through $10.9 million DoT grant
Partnerships Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) + Consortium
Organizational support Data support offered through a grant from Richard King Mellon Foundation + support from Center for Urban and Social Research, University of Pittsburgh
Housed under Department of Innovation and Performance (City’s technology department)
• First piloted projects on mobility
• First prioritized projects included open data and pilot projects in collaboration with CMU, city departments and others.
Become a leader in transportation innovation
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Analysis: City of Pittsburgh Projects
Innovation and Performance
PGH Lab
Mayor’s Office
City Departments Internal developers
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
Analysis: City of Pittsburgh Organizational Process
Conclusion
• City’s Smart City Plan influences the initiatives that the City pursues.
• Focus on mobility, open data as initial projects.
• Cities need to play a role in shaping the support network.
• Cities need to develop their capacity to advance smart city initiatives across departments.
Science Technology and Innovation Policy, June - Aug 2018
