Smart Urban Planning

Abstract

Smart urban development recognises the interconnection between urban, social, ecological and economic spheres but also requires a robust governance framework, innovation and institutional learning. Smart urban development involves multidisciplinary collaboration and widespread consultation. Big data and high-tech decision-support systems (DSS) can be part of the solution but not without administrative competency, civic professionalism and policy learning. Strategic plans should balance logistic infrastructure imperatives with ecological and local considerations. Institutionally, traditional planning confronts alternate policy foci. For Healy 'Clashes between conceptual frameworks and legitimising rationales are commonplace'. The rapidly evolving global economy accentuates stakeholder tensions. Urban regeneration quality is multifaceted but considerations include architecture and design merit, density and housing affordability, public realm enhancement, connective infrastructure. Smart development is adaptable and evolves in response to multiple pressures. It operates in a networked, collaborative system of vertical, horizontal and bottom-up local institutions. © 2018 selection and editorial matter, Simon Huston; individual chapters, the contributors.