Ep. #2 - Smart City strategy: A driver of collaboration and sustainability
Guest: Dr. Jessica Clement
Researcher at the CIRED research unit of CIRAD, the French agricultural research and cooperation organization working for the sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions.
And formerly Senior Researcher at the Smart City Institute (HEC Liège - Université de Liège).
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In this episode, we host Dr. Jessica Clement, a researcher specializing in sustainability and governance issues. Her work at the Smart City Institute has led her to explore the link between Smart Cities and sustainable transition, as well as the challenges underlying collaborations within the Smart City ecosystem.
During the conversation, we address two major questions: Can Smart Cities contribute to achieving the UN's sustainable development goals? What factors can be leveraged to strengthen collaboration between Smart City stakeholders? We will look at several avenues emerging from research, including a detour to Toronto to illustrate the case of public-private partnerships (PPPs). At the heart of the discussion, a common thread emerges around a powerful lever: the formulation of a Smart City strategy.
Key takeaways
> Smart City = sustainability + collaboration. A Smart City is not about technology alone: it aims to achieve sustainable transition by involving all stakeholders (public, private, research, citizens).
> Smart City strategies are a powerful lever: they promote both the achievement of SDGs and collaboration between stakeholders. They offer a shared vision to guide projects.
> Taking citizen priorities into account in PPPs is essential for the success of projects. Listening, adapting, and co-construction are the key words.
Additional resources
Scientific papers discussed in this episode
- Clement, J., Ruysschaert, B., & Crutzen, N. (21 July 2023). Smart city strategies – A driver for the localization of the sustainable development goals? Ecological Economics, 213, 1-13. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.107941
- Clement, J., Manjon, M., & Crutzen, N. (12 July 2022). Factors for collaboration amongst smart city stakeholders: A local government perspective.Government Information Quarterly, 39 (4), 101746. doi:10.1016/j.giq.2022.101746
- Clement, J., Esposito, G., & Crutzen, N. (July 2024). The Citizen’s Seat at the Table: Balancing Interests for Inclusive Public-Private Partnerships [Paper presentation]. European Group for Organizational Studies, Milan, Italy.
Our tools and other resources
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!
> Discover the Guide
How to turn the citizen into an actor of his territory? Smart City : the Practical handbook (Volume 2)
To build a sustainable Smart City strategy, it's essential to involve citizens in the development of your projects. In this volume #2, you'll find eight tools to stimulate citizen participation on your territory.
> Discover the GUIDE
Public-private collaboration and partnerships, levers of transition for our territories ? Smart City : the Practical handbook (Volume 6)
A handbook to demystify the concepts of public-private collaborations and partnerships, and to better understand the different forms of collaboration and partnerships that exist, as well as the legislative context.
> Discover the Guide
> See the entire collection
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.
> Discover the SPMM
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.
> Discover the SCMM
Smart Cities integrate the sustainable development goals in their strategies, emphasizing a commitment to sustainability. But, which specific SDGs take precedence in this context? Discover the answer and the innovative concept of localization as proposed by researchers Jessica Clement, Nathalie Crutzen and Benoit Ruysschaert (Smart City Institute HEC Liège) in this video.
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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