Cited by 3,025Smart Cities and TechnologiesUrban Planning and GovernanceUrban Development and Societal Issues

Will the real smart city please stand up?: Intelligent, progressive or entrepreneurial?

Hollands, Robert G.·2008·City

Abstract

Debates about the future of urban development in many Western countries have been increasingly influenced by discussions of smart cities. Yet despite numerous examples of this ‘urban labelling’ phenomenon, we know surprisingly little about so‐called smart cities, particularly in terms of what the label ideologically reveals as well as hides. Due to its lack of definitional precision, not to mention an underlying self‐congratulatory tendency, the main thrust of this article is to provide a preliminary critical polemic against some of the more rhetorical aspects of smart cities. The primary focus is on the labelling process adopted by some designated smart cities, with a view to problematizing a range of elements that supposedly characterize this new urban form, as well as question some of the underlying assumptions/contradictions hidden within the concept. To aid this critique, the article explores to what extent labelled smart cities can be understood as a high‐tech variation of the ‘entrepreneurial city’, as well as speculates on some general principles which would make them more progressive and inclusive.

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Crossref · 10.1080/13604810802479126

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  • Citizen data is vital for cities, yet people are often unwilling to share data because they are concerned about privacy and trust issues.

    “Citizen data is vital for cities-it's a ground truth for citizens' activities and desires-yet people are often unwilling to share data because they are concerned about privacy and trust issues [49].”

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Authors
Hollands, R. G.
Corresponding author
Hollands, Robert G.
Venue
City
Published
2008-11-26
Volume
12
Issue
3
Pages
303-320
ISSN
  • 1360-4813 (ISSN-L)
  • 1470-3629
OpenAlex
W1866654974
Cited by
3,025
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 185 · 2025: 154 · 2024: 200 · 2023: 257 · 2022: 280 · 2021: 307 · 2020: 303 · 2019: 309 · 2018: 273 · 2017: 208 · 2016: 217 · 2015: 144 · 2014: 95 · 2013: 47 · 2012: 22
FWCI
19.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • City (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Media Technology › Smart Cities and Technologies
  • Social Sciences › Urban Studies › Urban Planning and Governance
  • Social Sciences › Urban Studies › Urban Development and Societal Issues
Keywords
smart cities, entrepreneurial city, critical urbanism, inclusive urban planning, urban development

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