A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Evaluating Social Impact of Smart City Technologies and Services: Methods, Challenges, Future Directions
Authors: Hodson Elise, Vainio Teija, Sayún Michel Nader, Tomitsch Martin, Jones Ana, Jalonen Meri, Börütecene Ahmet, Hasan Md Tanvir, Paraschivoiu Irina, Wolff Annika, Yavo-Ayalon Sharon, Yli-Kauhaluoma Sari, Young Gareth W
Publisher: MDPI
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Multimodal Technologies and Interaction
Journal name in source: MULTIMODAL TECHNOLOGIES AND INTERACTION
Journal acronym: MULTIMODAL TECHNOLOG
Article number: 33
Volume: 7
Issue: 3
Number of pages: 32
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/mti7030033
Web address : https://www.mdpi.com/2414-4088/7/3/33
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/179338029
This study examines motivations, definitions, methods and challenges of evaluating the social impacts of smart city technologies and services. It outlines concepts of social impact assessment and discusses how social impact has been included in smart city evaluation frameworks. Thematic analysis is used to investigate how social impact is addressed in eight smart city projects that prioritise human-centred design across a variety of contexts and development phases, from design research and prototyping to completed and speculative projects. These projects are notable for their emphasis on human, organisational and natural stakeholders; inclusion, participation and empowerment; new methods of citizen engagement; and relationships between sustainability and social impact. At the same time, there are gaps in the evaluation of social impact in both the smart city indexes and the eight projects. Based on our analysis, we contend that more coherent, consistent and analytical approaches are needed to build narratives of change and to comprehend impacts before, during and after smart city projects. We propose criteria for social impact evaluation in smart cities and identify new directions for research. This is of interest for smart city developers, researchers, funders and policymakers establishing protocols and frameworks for evaluation, particularly as smart city concepts and complex technologies evolve in the context of equitable and sustainable development.
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