Many characteristics define a smart city; they can vary according to the social context in which the city is located or other variables related to culture. The three most important ones are:
Infrastructure Development
A smart city prioritises the optimal development of infrastructure in order to enhance economy, and social, cultural and urban development. This is the reason why it improves communication channels so that services like housing, entertainment, telecommunications, business, among others, can be connected using advanced technologies that allow a city to grow and develop.
Strategies to Create a Competitive Environment
Through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and planning, smart cities seek to create a competitive environment in the sector so as to expand urban sectors, thereby enhancing the development of new businesses and improving the city’s socio-economic performance.
Inclusive and Sustainable Cities
A smart city’s main strategic element will be sustainability so as to look for participation drivers, create better consumption habits and better energy management, and use renewable energies for the preservation of natural resources and the environmental care.