A study of potential pitfalls in the development of smart cities and mitigation measures

Abstract

Growing urbanization brings about problems, such as traffic congestion, energy shortages, high crime rates, and environmental pollution. Therefore, the concept of a "smart city" (SC) was introduced as an innovative approach to solving these problems and improving the quality of life using advanced information and communication technologies (ICT). However, "Smart cities are not a panacea for all ills, and they bring their own problems". Based on an extensive literature review, the research firstly identifies four potential pitfalls in the development of SCs. They include system information insecurity, privacy leakage, information islands and digital divide. However, there is a lack of systematic and empirical research on the potential pitfalls of SC development concerning both technological and non-technological aspects. Existing assessment schemes of SC development mostly focus on the positive and functional aspects of SCs, but sparingly evaluate the possible downsides. A SC cannot claim to be successful by solely measuring how much it has done or what it aims to achieve without designing against possible pitfalls. Hence, this research aims at bridging these knowledge gaps. This research has three objectives, namely, (1) the identification of pitfalls in the development of SCs; (2) the analysis of possible causes and adverse effects; and (3) the development of recommendations for a better SC development. Questionnaire Survey # 1 was conducted on SC experts for them to rate the relative importance of possible causes, adverse effects of each pitfall in terms of its likelihood, severity, and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Initial findings on the key issues to tackle these pitfalls, and the effectiveness of possible measures to mitigate them were obtained at this stage. Growing urbanization brings about problems, such as traffic congestion, energy shortages, high crime rates, and environmental pollution. Therefore, the concept of a "smart city" (SC) was introduced as an innovative approach to solving these problems and improving the quality of life using advanced information and communication technologies (ICT). However, "Smart cities are not a panacea for all ills, and they bring their own problems". Based on an extensive literature review, the research firstly identifies four potential pitfalls in the development of SCs. They include system information insecurity, privacy leakage, information islands and digital divide. However, there is a lack of systematic and empirical research on the potential pitfalls of SC development concerning both technological and non-technological aspects. Existing assessment schemes of SC development mostly focus on the positive and functional aspects of SCs, but sparingly evaluate the possible downsides. A SC cannot claim to be successful by solely measuring how much it has done or what it aims to achieve without designing against possible pitfalls. Hence, this research aims at bridging these knowledge gaps. This research has three objectives, namely, (1) the identification of pitfalls in the development of SCs; (2) the analysis of possible causes and adverse effects; and (3) the development of recommendations for a better SC development. Questionnaire Survey # 1 was conducted on SC experts for them to rate the relative importance of possible causes, adverse effects of each pitfall in terms of its likelihood, severity, and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Initial findings on the key issues to tackle these pitfalls, and the effectiveness of possible measures to mitigate them were obtained at this stage.