Smart cities para todos : contributos para o espaço público inclusivo

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to investigate concepts related to the public space and some of its current problems concerning urban social inclusion, as well as to assess concepts, areas of intervention and principles referring to the urban plans of Smart Cities, orienting them towards the importance of inclusion of social diversity. In this sense, it explains the importance of urban public space as an essential scenario for the realization of active citizenship, using a comprehensive perspective on its uses and the principles that guide the good practices of design procedures for public space. It also makes a reflection on the social inclusion of the public space and what the main chal-lenges are in this regard. In addition, we define the main underprivileged groups and those with the greatest risk of social exclusion. In addition, Smart Cities are currently associated with efficient responses to urban chal-lenges such as marked demographic growth or environmental pollution. Therefore, we analyze the intervention areas of Smart Cities, as well as the proliferated discourses about them, seeking to distinguish their real strengths and opportunities from the widespread technological utopias. We also recommend reflections on the use of Information and Communication Technologies - as a fundamental channel for Smart Cities' activities - and their relationship with the user, namely regarding their access, security and digital liter-acy. We then propose to focus on the concepts previously mentioned in order to highlight the contributions of Smart Cities to the social inclusion within the public space, listing them as principles for the development of inclusive Smart Cities.