Implementation of the Smart City Idea in City Management. Evaluation and Expectations of Residents Based on the Example of Students at Krakow Universities

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze assess the social perception of projects implemented in Krakow for the transformation towards a smart city. The justification for the undertaken research is the fact that most empirical analyses of the mechanisms of implementing the smart city concept focus on technical aspects, less often the diagnosis of attitudes, opinions, and expectations of residents is undertaken, despite the fact that in the light of theoretical research, citizens’ participation significantly affects these processes. The study presents the results of surveys conducted on a representative sample of students of Krakow universities, i.e. representatives of one of the most numerous and potentially the most innovation-oriented groups of urban public service recipients. The survey concerned, m.inamong others: knowledge of the smart city concept, opinions on the progress in its implementation in the city, and expectations regarding further innovations in public space. Research shows that knowledge of the smart city concept is surprisingly poor. People familiar with this subject moderately positively assess the effects of changes in individual dimensions of a smart city. An optimistic observation is the high expectations of respondents regarding the innovative activity of municipal authorities.