The challenge of smart mobility integration in the evolving smart city context; the paradigm of heraklion

Abstract

Contemporary cities face significant challenges, particularly due to climate change and the rapid urbanization. Therefore, a new concept has emerged, utilizing the striking technological progress. This paradigm is no other than the Smart City; a city that responds to the needs of its residents for managing assets and resources in a sustainable and efficient way through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The smart cities' concept has six main areas: Government, Mobility, Environment, Economy, Living and People. Urban Mobility, although remaining one of the toughest challenges, is not always adequately integrated in Smart Cities' schemes particularly in Greece, where it is often undermined or completely forgotten. In this context, the paper aims at highlighting the importance of smart mobility as a fundamental element of Smart Cities. Moreover, it proposes a Smart Mobility Strategy along with its evaluation process for the city of Heraklion in Greece, which can be used as guide for other cities in the field. The research presents nine (9) grouped sets of policy interventions and measures as well as five (5) categories of evaluation indicators to be applied in cities with similar characteristics. The proposed actions and indicators can be integrated in the planning procedure towards smarter, more sustainable and more efficient cities.