Abstract:
In this paper an evaluation of smart socioeconomic, physical and environmental
characteristics of Bloemfontein city of South Africa was done to understand the
current scenario of the city and evolve perspective indicative planning guidelines
for transforming the city into a smart city. The evaluation was done based on 74
smart indicators, and 30 factors under six characteristics, such as, smart
economy, smart people, smart governance, smart mobility, smart environment
and smart living. For this purpose, survey research methodology with analysis of
primary and secondary data and review of the current Integrated Development
Plan of the city was followed. The investigation of the various indicators revealed
that although the city is lagging behind in most of the characteristics, yet provides
ample opportunity to develop it as a smart city, if smart city concept and smart
growth principles are employed in city development process.
