The objective of this course is to equip participants with the strategic and technical understanding required to plan and govern smart city initiatives effectively. Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Define the concept of a Smart City and evaluate various implementation models.
• Understand the architecture of digital infrastructure (IoT, data platforms, broadband) and its impact.
• Apply data analytics and performance metrics to optimize urban service delivery (e.g., traffic, waste).
• Develop equitable broadband access and digital inclusion strategies.
• Address critical issues of data privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical use of technology.
• Design a governance framework for multi-agency, multi-sector digital transformation.
• Evaluate the costs, benefits, and return on investment (ROI) of smart city investments.

• Municipal IT and Innovation Directors
• Urban and Transportation Planners
• Chief Data Officers and Policy Analysts
• Public Works and Utility Managers
• Technology Vendors and Consultants
• Emergency Management and Public Safety Officials
• Students in Computer Science or Public Administration

• Case Studies of failed and successful smart city projects and their governance
• Group Activities: Developing a data governance policy for a new municipal sensor network
• Discussions on the ethics of data collection, surveillance, and privacy
• Individual Exercises: Analyzing a municipal open data portal and suggesting improvements
• Expert presentations from technology vendors and municipal CDOs
• Scenario planning for managing a major cybersecurity breach of critical infrastructure

Unit 1: Fundamentals of the Smart City Concept

• Evolving definitions of the Smart City and the shift from technology-led to citizen-centered models
• Overview of key enabling technologies: IoT sensors, 5G, cloud computing, and AI
• Comparative analysis of major Smart City implementations globally (e.g., Singapore, Barcelona)
• The concept of 'Smart Enough Cities' and prioritizing low-tech, high-impact solutions

• The role of fiber-optic broadband and equitable access (digital divide)
• Planning and deployment of sensor networks and data collection platforms
• Data standards, interoperability, and the challenge of legacy systems
• The importance of open data policies and platforms for innovation

Unit 2: Smart Applications and Service Optimization

• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and real-time traffic management
• Planning for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I)
• Optimizing public transit, parking, and micro-mobility through data
• Using predictive analytics for infrastructure maintenance and anomaly detection

• Smart grid implementation, energy consumption monitoring, and demand management
• Optimizing water and waste systems (e.g., smart water meters, fill-level sensors)
• Real-time environmental monitoring (air quality, noise, heat) and public notification
• Strategies for reducing municipal energy consumption through IoT controls

Unit 3: Governance, Ethics, and Equity

• Developing a robust data governance framework and digital strategy
• Managing data privacy, security, and anonymity issues (e.g., GDPR, CCPA)
• Ethical considerations in the use of AI and predictive policing algorithms
• The role of Chief Digital Officer (CDO) and digital equity task forces

• Measuring and closing the digital divide (access, affordability, literacy)
• Ensuring that smart solutions benefit marginalized and underserved populations
• Strategies for citizen co-creation and participatory technology design
• Addressing bias in data sets and algorithms used for public decision-making

Unit 4: Implementation and Project Management

• Innovative procurement models for technology (e.g., outcome-based contracts)
• Financing smart city initiatives (P3s, venture capital, grants, bonds)
• Evaluating the Return on Investment (ROI) and cost-benefit analysis of projects
• Managing vendor relationships and avoiding technological lock-in

• Identifying and mitigating cybersecurity risks to urban digital infrastructure
• Developing a system-level digital resilience and disaster recovery plan
• Implementing best practices for data encryption and network security
• Training and capacity building for municipal IT and operational staff

Unit 5: Future Trends and Policy Integration

• Blockchain technology for land registry and supply chain transparency
• Digital Twins and their use for urban modeling and scenario testing
• The role of edge computing and decentralized processing
• Policy integration: embedding digital strategy into comprehensive and master plans