Vulnerabilities of Smart Cities Development in a Context of Uncertainty at European Level

Abstract

The current context for the development of smart cities is affected by the economic and social uncertainties generated by the multiple crises that are manifesting themselves in the European space both through the declining geopolitical conflict and the economic recession that the European Union is going through. We aim to conduct a study on smart city vulnerabilities in the current context of uncertainty in order to identify the contribution of smart governance components to increase social welfare. We will also develop a regression model of social welfare for smart cities using empirical and econometric methods (multiple linear regression). The results of the study will highlight the level of smart city development of 10 European regions (Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the EU27 average) over the period 2012-2021. The results will be useful for national decision-makers to improve public policies related to smart city development in Europe.

Keywords

• smart city
• smart governance
• econometric model
• economic development
• vulnerabilities
• social welfare