Conceptual framework for measuring awareness and needs of city residents towards a smart city

Introduction/background: The level of residents’ awareness of the Smart City concept and their approach towards the potential of Smart City dimensions requires a more detailed investigation. The research tool prepared in this article may have an interesting impact on the residents of developing cities. The framework will allow researchers to examine the knowledge of residents about the Smart City concept, and may contribute to the identification of new social needs among city’ inhabitants. Aim of the paper: The main objective of this paper is to define the Smart City as a community-driven phenomenon and determine the current trends in case of Smart City dimensions. Authors undertake the task of synthesizing all dimensions mentioned in the literature about the Smart City concept. Additionally, the paper presents a conceptual research framework that may be used as a research tool in order to measure the level of residents’ awareness of the Smart City concept. Materials and methods: A comprehensive desk research was conducted which included iterative analyses of Smart City literature and Smart City models. A research framework, in form of a questionnaire, was prepared in order to gather qualitative and quantitative data about awareness and needs of residents towards a Smart City. The findings concerning the Smart City concept, that were presented in the article, will require further verification – both in terms of empirical research and further literature analysis, due to the dynamic development of this particular issue. Results and conclusions: The Smart City concept has many definitions and domains that are often perceived from the perspective of the investigated issue. This paper synthesizes all the dimensions mentioned in the available literature and adds new ones as well. Moreover, the preliminary research results indicate that the awareness of the Smart City phenomenon among residents of a developing town is quite high. Research results may be of great interest for the authorities of a particular city. Therefore, the presented framework may induce communication between local communities and city authorities.