The ongoing digitalization of society is of increasing importance for city transformation and a driving force for cities to become smart. The aim of this study is to explore stakeholder h innovative implications based on stakeholder involvement and governance. An interpretative single case study with qualitative interviews was conducted in an old town district in a Norwegian city. The results reveal that in order to transform a city with cultural heritage into a smart city requires efforts that go beyond smart ICT implementations. We argue for collaborative governance based on an open and coordinated involvement of stakeholders.
Contemporary cities are facing complex challenges to become smart. Governments and public sector
organizations are gradually transforming due to networked digital technologies and the emerging
Anthopoulos, 2015; Bernhard, 2014). The ongoing digitalization of society embraces dimensions of
integration, equality, citizen needs, sustainability and quality of life that are of increasing importance
for city transformation and governance. The smart city concept includes hence more than
information and communication technology (ICT) since the involvement of stakeholders and
bottom-up driven ideas are in focus (Anthopoulos, 2015; Aranguren et al, 2010). Smart cities are
frequently about improvement and efficiency in public administration and in development of
businesses, society and culture in the urban environment, focusing on creativity and sustainability
while fostering human, social and relational capital (Caragliu et al, 2011; Axelsson & Granath, 2018;
Josefsson & Steinthorsson, 2020). More and more emphasis is being put on developing innovative
solutions to societal challenges through open and inclusive innovation processes, compared with
the previously dominant focus on expert-driven innovation
The aim of this paper is to explore stakeholder challenges in becoming a smart old town and to
contribute with innovative implications based on stakeholder involvement. The following research
questions are addressed: What are the stakeholder challenges in transformation of an old town
district? How can the transformation into a smart old town be governed in order to enhance
stakeholder involvement? An interpretative single case study approach with qualitative interviews
was applied
The study is positioned as unique in terms of its complex nature of transforming an old town to become a smart old town based on an open and coordinated involvement of stakeholders. Local citizens emphazised that the Old Town should not merely be seen as a picturesque scenery backdrop but as a real living city. Other respondents representing businesses expressed a wish to preserve the past, the cultural heritage, by using it in the present time. A particular challenge concerned the unclear governance of the city transformation as it was not fully discussed, communicated, negotiated or anchored among stakeholders nor related to the municipality. Respondents clearly state that there is lack of governance and communication and they wish to be included and suggest doing this step-by-step to build community involvement and trust. Communication and collaboration was fragmented among those who produce, use and intermediate the Old Town due to the fact that the information rarely reaches beyond its own grouping. There is no common communication channel covering all stakeholders. There was an obvious need for an inclusive innovation process, as a holistic local community design process that develops visions, strategies and action plans related to the specific city. It was necessary to clarify and formalize the process of decision-making as well as to follow the contemporary digital development of society by upgrading skills of digital communication and use of open data in order to become a smart city.
The study brings forward the opportunities that lies in the dynamics of interaction between the spirit of cultural heritage and the body of governance that go beyond ICT implementations. The city transformation process needs to take point of departure from the uniqueness of the city's resources and the elements of place, citizens, technologies, businesses and visitors need to be balanced since they are mutually dependent. An organizing body including a communication platform that coordinates and governs activities and flows of information is needed. Given that smart city is not only about advanced ICT implementation the findings contribute with vital challenges that need to be considered in order to become a smart old town. Smart city implementations have wide-ranging societal implications that require further studies.
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Dr. Irene Bernhard is Assistant Professor in informatics at University West, School of Business Economics and IT, Sweden. She has published more than 40 articles and book chapters. Recent publications cover issues within digital diversity, digitalization and citizen satisfaction, e-government, social media, innovation, work-integrated learning, and women entrepreneurs.
Anna Karin Olsson