Smart Cities Inclusiveness in International Rankings: Comparative Analysis, Determinants and Implications for Urban Governance
Purpose: The purpose of this article is to conduct a comparative analysis of the dimensions of inclusiveness assessed within two selected international Smart City rankings, and to identify the relationships between these dimensions and the other aspects assessed in those classifications. It addresses two research questions: whether cities considered smart are able to guarantee a better quality of life for all residents, and whether holistic assessments of smart cities examine and analyse their inclusiveness. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study is based on a comparative analysis of the inclusiveness dimensions used in two international Smart City rankings, combined with a correlation analysis between the various evaluation dimensions and a city's final position in a given ranking. Findings: The exclusions identified in the rankings include economic, educational, housing, digital and cultural types, as well as exclusion by gender, race, sexual orientation and the universality of human rights. While the theoretical and methodological dimensions postulate the same quality of life for all residents, the correlation analysis shows only average or weak (insignificant) relationships between inclusiveness and final ranking position — with similar results for the environmental dimension. Inclusiveness is most often correlated with dimensions relating to human capital, economics or management, i.e. factors of a social nature. Practical implications: The results indicate the lower importance attached to social and environmental aspects in the practice of smart city management, suggesting a gap between the declared aim of equal quality of life and its actual weighting in ranking-based assessment and governance. Originality/value: The article offers an original comparative and correlational perspective on inclusiveness in smart city rankings, exposing the discrepancy between the theoretical/methodological postulate of equal quality of life for all residents and the marginal role that inclusiveness and environmental factors play in cities' final evaluation.