Public defence in real estate economics, M.Sc. (Tech) Aapo Huovila

Title of the thesis: Evaluation of smart AND sustainable city development: What indicators to use, why and when?

Doctoral student: Aapo Huovila
Opponent: Professor Ayyoob Sharifi, Hiroshima University, Japan
Custos: Professor Seppo Junnila, Aalto University, School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment

Indicator selection process to evaluate smart and sustainable city development

Sustainability and smartness are among the most common concepts that cities use to formulate their goals. Cities use indicators to keep track of progress towards those goals. The selection of indicators is difficult due to the abundance of indicator frameworks designed for specific purposes but requiring expert knowledge to be correctly applied. Cities often ask: What indicators should be used and when? Poor indicator selection can have unintended, negative consequences. Cities use public money, and investors want to know what benefits are achieved with the invested money. 

This dissertation developed a new taxonomy for indicator selection in smart and sustainable cities. 1500 indicators were analysed against this taxonomy, considering differences in conceptual focus (sustainability and smartness), application sector and indicator type. Additionally, alternative functional units and assessment methods were analysed more deeply for two indicators (building energy efficiency and cities’ carbon emissions). 

Based on the results, recommendations were made on indicators' applicability to specific evaluation needs. The thesis recommends the following process for indicator selection: 1) City goals (balance between smart and sustainable indicators), 2) Purpose of evaluation (indicator type), 3) Scope of evaluation (sectoral coverage, functional unit, assessment method), 4) Availability of data and resources (selection of feasible indicators). 

The results can benefit cities, indicator system developers and other stakeholders evaluating city development.

Keywords: Evaluation, Indicator, Indicator selection process, Smart city, Smart sustainable cities, Sustainable urban development

Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence at: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/doc_public/eonly/riiputus/

Contact information of doctoral student: 

Doctoral theses of the School of Engineering: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/49

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