Making public spaces smarter

Technologies are redefining public gathering spaces and changing our collective experiences in the city. Digital and smart tools bring opportunities like improved efficiency, responsiveness, and civic participation but also concerns of privacy, data management, and corporatization. This research explored the extent to which 137 Canadian communities are planning for use of technology in the public realm. Content analyses of planning policies and Smart Cities Challenge applications indicated that one third of communities proposed using technologies in public spaces. Findings suggest that Canadian municipalities are aspirational in their intentions and in the early stages of anticipating how to plan for and implement these tools. There is interest in experimenting with hubs for charging mobile devices, kiosks/screens for sharing information, smart transportation infrastructure, and smart street furniture. Recommendations for planners, planning schools, partnerships, design professionals, and Smart Cities Challenge stakeholders are highlighted.

Key words: Smart Cities Challenge, public realm, civic technology, innovation, planning policy