The "SMART" concept

A city can be classified as a smart city if intelligently manages ("smart", in fact) economic activities, mobility, environmental resources, relationships between people, the housing policies and the administration method.

In other words, a city can be defined as "smart" when investments in human and social capital and traditional infrastructure (transport) and modern (ICT) fuel sustainable economic development and a high quality of life, with a wise management of natural resources, through a method of participatory governance.

It is important to remark that the "smart" aspect should not be linked only to the presence of information and communication infrastructures, but also to the role of human capital, social and relational (education, culture, etc.), And the recognition of environmental sector as a major contributor to urban growth.

So this is not to thimk at the concept of "intelligent city" as a "digital city", but to take a step forward.

The key points

The concept of Smart Cities is based on the following 6 points:

• Smart Economy: spirit of innovation, productivity, ability to transform
• Smart People: flexibility, creativity, public life involvement
• Smart Governance: public and social services, transparent management, political strategies and perspectives
• Smart Mobility: sustainable transport system, innovative and safe (traffic monitoring, traffic management, parkings)
• Smart Environment: resources management (public lighting, waste services), pollution and environmental protection
• Smart Living: cultural facilities, health, personal security, housing quality, educational facilities