Abstract:

Smart city solutions rely on many components, which must be smartly integrated. The unpredictable influence of humans is a certainty, as well as the ever changing and disruptive realities. Because of the high pressure they are subjected to, cities have already started to implement various smart systems, by using bottom-up approaches. As alternative, this paper investigates the possibility of using top-down standardized frameworks. Results indicate that, even if not all-important smart city aspects are currently covered by international standards, a series of benefits could be generated if following their guidelines. Easily identifiable, feasible, and trustful solutions may be developed this way, which in turn could be compatible between them inside the cities and with those of other cities, so that to determine positive synergies, safeguards, and faster knowledge sharing. Nevertheless, to be successful, given the principles of collaborative governance, local community’s validation is essential for deploying best smart public systems, services, and configurations according to the global context of standardization, existing provider solutions, and demanding challenges.