The smart city (SC) narrative, which is increasingly taking up
space in the international literature, is primarily shaped by
specific actors, making it clear why it is often seen in the light
of a contemporary commercial or branding exercise. At the same
time, concerns are raised by the fact that among the main
proponents of smart cities are a number of technology giants and
private initiatives, probably looking forward to an emerging field
with an increased profit margin, but also by the plethora of
definitions and criteria available. Despite the variability of
parameters found in the literature, culture and heritage, along
with the problematisation that usually follows the terms, do not
seem to be prioritised among the conditions constituting a 'smart
city'. Drawing on previous research highlighting the central role
of cultural heritage in planning and urban regeneration
strategies, both in Europe and worldwide for more than half a
century now, this thesis attempts, on the one hand, to analyse the
evolution of the concepts of 'smart' and urban smartness and on
the other hand explore the relationship between 'smart cities' and
cultural heritage in three Greek SC projects.
Available at
National Documentation Centre (EKT).