Implementation of Smart City Concept in Ukraine

Abstract

The article deals with development of Ukrainian cities within the Smart City concept based on the experience of foreign countries. The experience of such countries as Sweden and Denmark has been analyzed. The main attention is paid to those elements of the concept that can be implemented in Ukraine at present. The analysis identified the following conditions for the development of the Smart City concept: the development of an effective e-government, transparency, inclusion in international economic processes, attracting new players and new sources of funding, service integration, strategic planning of the new business model, leadership and championship. These elements are relevant for implementation in Ukraine. Two regions of Ukraine, namely, the Black Sea and Slobozhansky regions, were selected to analyze the pace of implementing the Smart City concept. The geographic location, climatic conditions and infrastructure potential of these regions create good prospects for their attractiveness in the global world. The research has identified elements of the Smart City concept that has already been introduced and provided recommendations for possible next steps in Smart City development in Ukraine.

“Smart cities” and their vulnerability

“…Before the outbreak of the current phase of the conflict in Ukraine, there was a consensus that, due to the high population density, cities show significant potential for creativity and innovation, energy savings, and environmental friendliness, creating a positive dynamic interaction of these elements for develop-ment [29]. The Cities in Motion Index was chosen for the calculations of relevant indices for Ukrainian cities, which takes into account the maximum number of indicators and assesses such socio-economic aspects of the possible development of cities as, for example, human capital, social cohesion, governance, mobility and transport, urban planning and technology [30]. Examples of best practices in other countries, especially Poland (Warsaw, Lublin) were also mapped.…”

“…After about half a year, the war moved into the attrition phase, where the military, human, and economic reserves of the warring countries play a key role [30]. The Kremlin perceives the massive destruction of Ukraine's civil infrastructure (electric power grids, heating), ideally across the entire territory, up to the very west, as compensation for unsatisfactory developments on the battlefield.…”