Smart city, Smart business: evolution and role of technology in the development of the so called “intelligent communities”

The emerging patterns of urbanization around the world show different scenarios on different continents, requiring different approaches, policies, and strategies. The incredible democratization of ICTs worldwide leads to a discussion on sustainable, resource-saving and resilient smart cities, as well as smart city economic development adapted to different cities, countries and continents. Each city in a given country or continent might have different challenges to the economic development of smart cities. When former rural economies give way to urban economies, which are crucial for GDPs, then the emerging question is what “economic development of smart cities” means. This will be the main issue addressed in this paper.