Smart cities through the lenses of public policy: the case of Shanghai

Abstract

This article explores the applicability of the model developed by Chourabi et al. (2012) to the urban reality of Shanghai, China. The eight variables of the model: 1) governance and public urban planning 2) management and organization 3) technology 4) policy context 5) people and communities 6) economy 7) built-in infrastructure, 8) and natural environment, are examined against the Shanghai case. The findings are that for Shanghai the smart city plan inherits a process of transformation in place from the beginning of 1990sin four areas of public policy: governance, technology, built-in infrastructure and economy. The smart city plan, however, develops specificities for management and organization and shows a built-in capacity to develop a favorable policy context with the central government more recently. We have found a limited scope for people and communities and the natural environment shaping changes which are so-called smart. The framework applied allows us to show the significant role that the local government plays in the city through public policy. This framework contributes to extend the scope of comparative urban theory and analysis beyond the western world, in the East Asian context, allowing further comparison across cities. Final results might be used to complete new research programs, as we conclude.