Researching Smart Cities with a special focus on sustainable scaling is a focus of our institute. We work in a consortium of four Swiss research institutes on a three-year project titled “Scaling Smart City Projects - from Individual pilots towards a Common strategy of industry Emergence (SPICE)”. The SPICE project is part of the National Research Programme on “Digital Transformation” (NRP 77). As experts in innovation and business models, we seek to analyze and conceptualize smart city initiatives from a business model perspective.
Project Information
The institute is deeply engaged in the exploration of Smart Cities, with a particular emphasis on the sustainable scaling of such urban initiatives. This endeavor is encapsulated in the three-year collaborative project known as “Scaling Smart City Projects - from Individual Pilots towards a Common Strategy of Industry Emergence (SPICE)”. This project unites our expertise with that of three other leading Swiss research institutes, under the umbrella of the National Research Programme on “Digital Transformation” (NRP 77). The SPICE project aims to transcend the traditional scope of isolated pilot projects by fostering a cohesive and strategic approach to the development and implementation of smart city technologies, thus facilitating the broader adoption and integration of these innovations within urban environments.
Our role within the SPICE project is to bring our specialized knowledge in innovation and business models to the forefront of smart city research. By examining smart city initiatives through the lens of business model innovation, we aim to uncover insights into how these initiatives can achieve scalability and sustainability. This involves identifying the key value propositions, customer segments, revenue streams, and partnership networks that can support the growth and expansion of smart city projects. Our work seeks to provide a framework that can guide the strategic planning and execution of smart city initiatives, ensuring they not only deliver technological advancements but also align with broader economic and societal goals.