Abstract

This report begins by introducing the term ‘smart city’ buttressed by some critical consideration of the several definitions that are proffered in the extant literature. Then, the conceptual evolution of the ‘smart city’ construct is set out with reference to smart (city) policies implemented in the EU, mapped with reference to the results of a Boolean web search exercise. This analysis helps to systematically unveil the narrative used by practitioners and policy makers in shaping the perception of smart city policies and projects. Finally, a new index of smartness is implemented based on Stochastic Multicriteria Acceptability Analysis (SMAA). The new index will consider both objective measures and citizens’ perceptions of key dimensions offering value in assessing ‘smartness’ in city projects and policies.