Researching Smart City Adoption in Secondary Cities: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

Smart city adoption in secondary cities represents a critical area of research, given the unique challenges and opportunities these cities face. Unlike primary cities, which often have extensive resources, advanced infrastructure, and global influence, secondary cities operate with limited resources and varying levels of technological, economic, and social readiness. However, they also have the potential to implement innovative solutions tailored to their specific needs, making them fertile ground for sustainable urban development.

Key Areas of Focus

Understanding Secondary Cities

• Definition and Role: Secondary cities serve as urban areas that support, compete with, and maintain intra-regional relationality with larger, more prominent neighbouring cities. At the same time, these cities preserve distinct historical and cultural identities, preventing them from being fully absorbed into the broader concept of a ‘city-region.’
• Unique Challenges: These cities frequently encounter budgetary constraints, limited technical expertise, and lower political visibility compared to primary cities.
• Potential for Impact: Their smaller scale and localised governance structures can allow for quicker implementation of smart technologies if challenges are addressed effectively.

Policy Adoption and Governance

• Policy Frameworks: Investigating the readiness of secondary cities to adopt smart city policies, including digital infrastructure, data governance, and public-private partnerships.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Understanding how local governments, businesses, and residents collaborate to drive adoption.
• Barriers to Adoption: Examining resistance to change, regulatory hurdles, and issues of trust in technology.

Technology Integration

• Scalable Technologies: Assessing which smart city technologies (e.g., IoT, AI, blockchain) are most feasible for secondary cities.
• Infrastructure Readiness: Evaluating the digital and physical infrastructure required for effective implementation.
• Data Utilisation: Exploring how secondary cities can leverage data analytics to optimise services, such as transportation, energy, and waste management.

Economic and Social Dimensions

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Understanding the financial implications of adopting smart technologies and how they can be financed.
• Equity and Inclusion: Researching how smart city initiatives can address social inequalities and promote inclusivity.
• Workforce Development: Identifying the skills and training needed to support a smart city workforce.

Environmental Sustainability

• Climate Resilience: Exploring how smart city solutions can mitigate environmental challenges such as pollution, resource depletion, and climate change.
• Green Technologies: Investigating the role of renewable energy, smart grids, and sustainable urban planning.

Case Studies and Viable Practices

• Comparative Analysis: Conducting cross-city comparisons to identify successful models and transferable practices.
• Localised Innovations: Highlighting unique initiatives tailored to the specific needs of secondary cities.

Research Outcomes

The research aims to:

• Develop frameworks and tools to support smart city policy adoption in secondary cities.
• Provide actionable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and technology providers.
• Contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable urban development and the role of secondary cities in achieving global goals, such as a maturity model or the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Conclusion

Exploring smart city adoption in secondary cities is essential to bridging the urban-rural divide, enhancing quality of life, and fostering economic growth in regions often overlooked. By focusing on the unique contexts of these cities, research can uncover scalable, sustainable, and inclusive solutions that drive progress at both local and global levels.