Ecosystem Strategy for Smart Cities: Orchestrating the Competitive Landscape

The smart city market is characterized by complex customer relationships and equally complex competitive and collaborative relationships between suppliers. The coronavirus pandemic has not changed any of these factors, but it has driven changes in priorities, introduced new uncertainties, and created an environment in which action is seen as urgent on a range of critical urban issues. Many players have been reevaluating their strategy in the light of the coronavirus pandemic and as they assess the relative development of different parts of the smart city space. 

Despite local government budget cuts, there are positive market signs in terms of national government stimulus funding, finance innovation from technology suppliers working with the investment sector, and the pragmatic funding strategies of city leaders. To meet new requirements and deliver better-targeted services, cities are looking at the adaptability and resilience of their digital infrastructure at all levels. Smart city technology and service providers need to balance a pragmatic short-term focus on immediate city priorities and a longer-term strategic approach to building relationships to support ambitious city recovery plans based on decarbonization and greater social justice.

This report examines the opportunities and challenges of the smart city market and evolving ecosystem strategies. Recommendations are provided for technology providers, service partners, and other stakeholders.