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Urban Smartness and City Performance: Identifying Brazilian Smart Cities through a Novel Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Cristina Fachinelli

    (City Living Lab, University of Caxias do Sul, R. Francisco Getúlio Vargas Street, Caxias do Sul 95070-560, Brazil)

  • Tan Yigitcanlar

    (City 4.0 Lab, School of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia)

  • Jamile Sabatini-Marques

    (Institute of Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil)

  • Tatiana Tucunduva Philippi Cortese

    (Institute of Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil
    Graduate Program in Smart and Sustainable Cities, University Nove de Julho, Rua Vergueiro, São Paulo 01525-000, Brazil)

  • Debora Sotto

    (Institute of Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-060, Brazil)

  • Bianca Libardi

    (City Living Lab, University of Caxias do Sul, R. Francisco Getúlio Vargas Street, Caxias do Sul 95070-560, Brazil)

Abstract

While smart city transformation is a remarkably popular topic among urban policymakers across the globe, there is little evidence on how to evaluate a city’s smartness level accurately. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by applying a novel assessment framework to a case study context and generating useful insights. To achieve this aim, the study evaluates the smartness levels of 27 Brazilian state capital cities through the indicators of productivity and innovation, livability and well-being, sustainability and accessibility, governance and planning, and connectivity and innovation. This urban smartness analysis is conducted through a smart city assessment framework that brings up three categories of smart city performance types—i.e., leading, following, and developing. The findings of the analysis revealed that the common characteristics of cities with leading smartness performance are having: (a) a strong innovation ecosystem; (b) Specific legislation for developing entrepreneurship; (c) Training opportunities for skilled labor; and (d) Conditions for knowledge-based development and digital transformation offerings and readiness. The analysis identified the smartest cities in Brazil as follows: Florianópolis, São Paulo, Vitória, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, and Cuiabá. This study offers insights from the application of a novel method in the Brazilian context for the local authorities to consider adopting for smart city performance and progress analyses and subsequently making necessary interventions to transform their smart city policy and practice to realize their desired goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Cristina Fachinelli & Tan Yigitcanlar & Jamile Sabatini-Marques & Tatiana Tucunduva Philippi Cortese & Debora Sotto & Bianca Libardi, 2023. "Urban Smartness and City Performance: Identifying Brazilian Smart Cities through a Novel Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10323-:d:1183349
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    References listed on IDEAS

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