SOCIETÀ ITALIANA DI DIRITTO ED ECONOMIA
Gianluigi Delle Cave (University of Brescia)
Abstract
The "digital city" or "Smart City" is a kaleidoscopic and multilevel concept, which can be interpreted in a composite and versatile way. Indeed, if technological interoperability and the interconnection of systems undoubtedly play a role of absolute centrality in the evolution of the urban context, it is of primary importance to recognize and implement a cohesive value framework – and a specific public power role – that supports urban regeneration in terms of inclusiveness and diversity. As a matter of fact, the Smart City is generally considered as the new paradigm of urban development, in which particular emphasis is placed on collaborative public-private governance.
The role of public administration in the realisation of these intelligent urban contexts is often questioned: the local authorities, as the “guardians” of the city, acquire a sort of added value, especially in the definition and implementation of the “territorial services”, like, for example, the "sustainable" and "smart" mobility. In this regard, with reference to the mobility matter in particular, the public administration is not called upon to organise an offer of services on the market to remove the obstacles that prevent substantial equality, but to “mediate” between different private initiatives, allowing the drives arising from society to express themselves in the best possible way, with the aim of including, enhancing human capital and promoting economic development and quality of life in the city.
Due to the above, the jurist’s research cannot therefore disregard the correct delimitation of the role, and powers, that public institutions should assume in the context of the Smart City, also in its specific declination in the smart mobility serving citizens.