For Success, Smart Cities Need Stakeholder Engagement

Smart cities technologies are not going to lead to the right outcomes unless end users are recognized as integral players in the planning process.

1 minute read

August 27, 2020, 12:00 PM PDT

By Camille Fink


Smart City

Tumisu / Pixabay

Jared Mondschein considers the reasons that smart cities initiatives have been less than successful in addressing urban needs such as improved mobility and better water management. He believes that engagement with stakeholders early on in the design process is key to improving smart cities outcomes.

"Local smart city initiative leaders have told me and my colleagues that the technologies themselves aren’t the problem – indeed, the sensors and other tools being deployed are often well established with few issues. Rather, smart cities are struggling to navigate the disparate (and often competing) goals, values and needs of the various stakeholders," says Mondschein.

When local residents are not at the planning table with vendors and city officials, the technology employed is often not the right fit for the needs of users. For example, open data portals where smart city data is available should be empowering residents, businesses, and organizations. "But we've uncovered that design flaws may be preventing users from easily accessing and analyzing the data to create community-oriented solutions," notes Mondschein.

Thursday, August 20, 2020 in Smart Cities Dive

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

White three-story brick single-room occupancy hotel in downtown Los Angeles, California.

‘Micro-Apartment’ Trend Underscores Housing Crisis

SROs are making a comeback under a new name as the housing supply remains strained and costs soar.

March 22, 2024 - Associated Press via Yahoo News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

44 minutes ago - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

1 hour ago - CBS News

Red public transit bus in Bangalore, India.

Indian States Give Women Free Bus Passes

The programs are part of an initiative aimed at helping more women join the workforce and improving access to basic needs.

2 hours ago - Next City

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.