Podcast: Re-evaluating smart cities for a joined-up future

What is a smart city? It’s a question that has been asked time and time again, and with a definition that has shifted significantly in recent years, it’s one that doesn’t always have a firm answer.

In this episode of the SmartCitiesWorld Podcast, we’re joined by Chris Dymond, Founder and Director of digital capacity-building agency Unfolding, and Academic Director of the Smart Cities Management Programme at Zigurat, to re-assess what smart cities are in today’s context, and how the taxonomy for developing smart city strategy must now extend to include tech, environment, and people all at once.

There’s also discussion of how the cities and local authorities can begin to unpick bad habits and break down siloes through digital transformation, along with the need to strike a tricky balancing act between upskilling workers for a digital future without adding to digital inclusivity challenges as a public sector employer.

Listen to our latest episode now and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to ensure you don’t miss our next episode.

For more information about Unfolding, Sheffield Digital or the Zigurat Smart Cities Management Programme, use the links below:

www.unfolding.co.uk/

sheffield.digital/

www.e-zigurat.com/en/smart-cities-masters-program/

About Chris Dymond

Chris Dymond has over 30 years’ experience in digital application design and innovation, and is the founder of Unfolding Ltd, a digital place-making and capacity building agency; a co-founder of Sheffield Digital; and a smart places consultant and educator.

He studied Computer Science before earning a 1st class degree in Interdisciplinary Humanities and a Master’s in International Politics, specialising in global Internet governance.

Chris is the Academic Director of the International Smart City Management Programme at Zigurat Institute accredited by the University of Barcelona, and a visiting lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University where he teaches Digital Ecosystems Analysis and Design Thinking to address urban challenges. He also holds a number of non-executive directorships.