Barriers to development of smart cities: Lessons learned from an emerging economy

Abstract

Smart city development is an urban strategy that harnesses technology and innovation to enhance residents’ well-being. Its objectives encompass boosting economic competitiveness and advancing sustainable growth (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD], 2019, 2020; Digitalization of Public Administration and Services Delivery Act, B.E. 2562 2019). In this research, a qualitative study was conducted to study the steps to becoming a smart city in Thailand as well as the challenges in the urgent development of smart cities. Ten individuals were interviewed using a purposive sampling method. Content analysis and NVivo software were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that to become a smart city, the steps involve preparing infrastructure, running projects for two years, and seeking certification from the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA). Certification offers Board of Investment (BOI) incentives, making it appealing to urban areas. In addition, the path to becoming a smart city in Thailand involves careful planning, substantial investment, skills development, collaboration, and regulatory adjustments. Addressing these challenges can help urban areas harness the benefits of smart city technologies, improve the quality of life for residents, promote economic growth, and beyond.