From Ambiguity to Action: Smart City, a Local Co-Construction
Smart City Talks - Ep.1 & 2
Ep. #2 - From Ambiguity to Action:
Smart City, a Local Co-Construction
Guest: Dr. Giovanni Esposito
Senior Research Associate in Management and Public Policy at the Smart City Institute (HEC Liège - Université de Liège) and Professor of Public Policy and Administration at the ULB University.
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Listen to the episode - in English or French
In this episode with Dr. Giovanni Esposito, Professor at ULB and researcher in management and public policy, we dive into the world of narratives to better understand what a Smart City really is. How do local actors appropriate the concept? How do they build their own story? Through research conducted with Prof. Nathalie Crutzen, Giovanni explores Smart City strategies and what they reveal about the dynamics in Belgium. Far from the marketing discourse of large multinationals and their ready-made digital solutions, he explains why the Smart City is not a universal model but a meaningful local construction.
Key takeaways
> Territorial governance is an essential lever for a successful transition.
> Citizens need to be involved right from the project design stage.
> Territories need flexible models, adapted to their local realities.
Additional resources
Scientific papers discussed in this episode
- Esposito, G., Clement, J., Mora, L., & Crutzen, N. (November 2021). One size does not fit all: Framing smart city policy narratives within regional socio-economic contexts in Brussels and Wallonia. Cities, 118. doi: 1016/j.cities.2021.103329
- Esposito, G., Terlizzi, A., Guarino, M., & Crutzen, N. (June 2024). Interpreting digital governance at the municipal level: Evidence from smart city projects in Belgium. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 90 (2), 301-317. doi:10.1177/00208523231167538
- Esposito, G., Terlizzi, A., Desdemoustier, J., Pichault, F., & Crutzen, N. (2025). Smart City Development as Public Entrepreneurship: An In-Depth Case Study of Mayoral Action Based on Actor-Network Theory. International Journal of Public Administration, 48 (3), 180-194. doi:1080/01900692.2024.2329672
Nos outils et autres ressources
Smart City: the Practical handbook (Volume 1)
How to set up a Smart City approach for your territory? With this 1st handbook,, the Smart City Institute re-clarifies the Smart City concept and its challenges, then proposes a 15-step iterative process to guide you through the process!
SPMM : Smart Project Management Model
The SPMM is a methodological tool for structuring and managing projects efficiently, while integrating the 'Smart' aspect. With this model, the aim is to bring innovative projects to fruition, while relying on the collective intelligence and participation of the various stakeholders, with a view to sustainability. A genuine tool for reflection, collaboration, communication and follow-up, the SPMM will provide you with all the essential indications concerning the 4 fundamental stages in the development of a project: the prerequisite phase; the planning phase; project execution; project evaluation.
SCMM : Smart City Maturity Model
The SCMM is designed to enable territories to assess their level of Smart City maturity, and therefore focuses on how far a region has progressed in its sustainable & smart transition. It is based on seven fundamental Smart City domains. Each of these areas is subdivided into four components, which are assessed using a maturity scale.
About the Smart City Talks podcast
Smart City Talks is the podcast that bring to light the Smart City Institute's research. Expert voices decode today’s major challenges, share insights, and suggest concrete ways to accelerate the sustainable and smart transition of our territories. Available in English and French.
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