A theoretical framework on the social dimension of the smartness of the Smart Cities

Abstract

Globalization and the ubiquitous use of Information and Communication Technologies are, nowadays, the main characteristics of the international context of cities. Under this context, the Smart Cities have emerged to address various urban issues and improve the quality of life of the population through technologies, effective public policies and urban systems. We identified and explored the social dimension of smart cities, which is incipient. The method used is a literature review under qualitative and exploratory analysis. We created a theoretical framework on the social dimension of the Smart Cities. Urban governance is the nucleus of the social dimension, which is composed of the social value produced by civic engagement and Informational and Communicational Technologies. Hence, there is the urban environment transformation of the smart cities that benefits whole the society. Also, we identified the social agents of this process: the public power, the industry, the enterprises, the society and the academy. We identified the main social aspects, whose are strong social bonds, public security improved, and better urban accessibility. The interaction among the social dimension nucleus (governance, Informational and Communicational Technologies and social values), the social aspects and the social agents emphasize public service efficiency; sustainable urban development; public systems innovation; structural modernization; and human and educational development. There are future studies implications suggested, which one is that this proposed framework can be used for case studies on the social dimension of the smart cities.