How to Make the Undefined Tangible: Development of a Typology for Smart City Replication

The development of urban areas is increasingly determined by challenges such as climate change, population growth and global competition. The deficit of clear strategies and location-specific solutions in urban development requires rethinking the current replication approach. The applied typology-building method aims to capture smart city development's multi-layered, complex and multi-dimensional nature. The proposed framework distinguishes smart city initiatives based on their prevailing impact and target. It represents a mediator between the high level of abstraction of political goals and interests and immediate municipal practice. At the same time, it serves as a suitable tool for defining requirements for planning and targeting smart city replication activities.