Smart cities are the future of urban life. Learn how holistic communication strategies involve citizens, create acceptance for new technologies and accompany the transformation to a smart city.
Urbanization is progressing worldwide. According to United Nations forecasts, around 68% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. This rapid development presents cities with enormous challenges in areas such as infrastructure, mobility, energy supply and quality of life. Smart city concepts promise to overcome these challenges through the use of innovative technologies and make cities more efficient, sustainable and liveable.
Le Dong, founder of Le Dong Communications, emphasizes: “The success of smart city initiatives depends largely on how well all stakeholders – from citizens to companies and administrations – are involved in the transformation process. An integrated communication strategy is the key to promoting understanding, acceptance and active participation.”
The importance of integrated communication
Integrated communication in smart city projects goes far beyond traditional PR work. It involves a holistic approach that uses various communication channels and formats to reach and involve all relevant target groups. A study conducted by Deloitte in 2023 shows that smart city projects with a comprehensive communication strategy have a 40% higher success rate than those without structured communication.
“Smart cities are not just about technology, but above all about people,” explains Le Dong. “Our task is to communicate the benefits and opportunities of smart city concepts in such a way that they become tangible and relevant for every citizen.”
Core elements of an integrated communication strategy for smart cities
- Citizen participation and co-creation
A successful smart city strategy relies on the active involvement of citizens. According to a survey conducted by Accenture in 2024, 78% of city dwellers would like to have a greater say in the design of their city. Participatory formats such as citizen dialogs, hackathons and digital participation platforms make it possible to incorporate people’s ideas and concerns into the planning process at an early stage.
Le Dong Communications recommends: “Create spaces for dialog. Use both digital and analog formats to reach and involve all population groups.”
- Transparent communication of goals and progress
Transparency creates trust. Open communication about the goals, challenges and progress of smart city projects is essential. In a 2023 study, the Smart City Institute Hamburg found that cities with regular and transparent reporting achieve a 35% higher level of acceptance for smart city initiatives among the population.
“Use dashboards, regular updates and interactive visualizations to make progress tangible,” advises Le Dong. “Show concrete improvements in the everyday lives of citizens.”
- Storytelling and emotional appeal
Technical innovations alone rarely inspire. Stories are needed to show how smart city solutions improve people’s lives. An analysis by McKinsey from 2024 shows that emotional storytelling can increase support for smart city projects by up to 60%.
Le Dong emphasizes: “Tell stories by people for people. Show how intelligent technologies make everyday life easier, protect the environment and improve quality of life.”
- Education and skills development
The transformation to a smart city requires new skills – both on the part of the administration and the citizens. According to a study conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation in 2023, 65% of citizens do not feel sufficiently informed about the opportunities and risks of smart city technologies.
“Invest in educational programs and low-threshold information offers,” recommends Le Dong. “From workshops and online courses to information days – create a variety of opportunities to promote digital skills.”
- Stakeholder management and networking
Smart cities require cooperation between a wide range of players – from technology companies and research institutions to citizens’ initiatives. An effective communication strategy must involve all these stakeholders and promote synergies.
Le Dong Communications relies on a multi-stakeholder approach: “Create platforms for exchange and collaboration. Round tables, innovation networks and public-private partnerships are key elements of a successful smart city strategy.”
Challenges and solutions
Despite all the opportunities, smart cities face communication challenges:
- Data protection concerns: According to a survey conducted by the digital association Bitkom in 2024, 72% of citizens have concerns about data protection in smart cities.
Solution approach: Transparent communication about data use and security, involvement of data protection experts in communication. - Digital divide: Not all population groups have equal access to digital technologies.
Solution approach: Inclusive communication strategies that use both digital and analog channels. - Technology skepticism: Older generations in particular are often skeptical about new technologies.
Solution approach: Cross-generational dialog formats, peer-to-peer learning approaches.
Conclusion and outlook
Integrated communication is the key to the success of smart city initiatives. It creates understanding, promotes acceptance and enables all stakeholders to actively participate in the transformation to a smart city.
“The future belongs to cities that manage to harmonize technology and humanity,” summarizes Le Dong. “A holistic communication strategy paves the way for this change.”
For communication experts and urban planners, the development of the smart city offers enormous opportunities to rethink and redesign urban space. Through the strategic use of integrated communication, they can build bridges – between technology and people, between vision and reality, between the present and the future.
Sources:
- United Nations, “World Urbanization Prospects 2023”
- Deloitte, “Smart City Success Factors”, 2023
- Accenture, “Citizen Engagement in Smart Cities”, 2024
- Smart City Institute Hamburg, “Transparency and Acceptance in Smart Cities”, 2023
- McKinsey & Company, “The Power of Storytelling in Urban Development”, 2024
- Bertelsmann Foundation, “Digital Literacy in Smart Cities”, 2023
- Bitkom, “Data Privacy Concerns in Smart Cities”, 2024
