Behind the smart city theoretical arguments and empirical findings of a multiscalar strategy in Austria

Abstract

The article explores the multi-level character of the smart city-paradigm at different spatial scales in Austria. It deals with the arrival and characteristics of this multiscalar political strategy. By focusing on relationality of different actors at different spatial scales the paper traces what is addressed by referring to smart city and how do do cities position themselves by applying smart city strategies. Moreover, it argues that the smart city paradigm leads to a deepening of entrepreneurial principles and logics. The paper adapts Neil Brenner's strategic-relational approach that enables to scrutinize the spatio-political dimensions of smart cities. Additionally, it studies the proliferation of smart cities through the lens of the policy mobilities literature in order to investigate the local-regional adaptation of global policy models.