The number of smart city projects has grown tremendously over the past decade due to advancements in technology and mass urbanization. However, the task of allocating resources efficiently has proven to be extremely difficult for cities and is one of the reasons over a third of smart cities fail to be properly built.

By 2030, it is estimated that 5 billion people will be living in urban hubs (Appleton, Joe). It is therefore critical that governments across the globe make sure that the needs of the people are met. To know what citizens need, civic engagement needs to be high. Active citizen engagement in smart city efforts is crucial, as it allows “governments to respond to constantly evolving situations, and implementing changes that are in the public’s best interests.”

More and more, cities and utilities are working together to bring about a sustainable future. Public understanding of smart city initiatives, however, may be the biggest hurdle for cities and utilities to overcome. In order to better understand the public’s perception of smart cities, Zpryme surveyed nearly 500 people. This survey explored citizen awareness and engagement of smart cities, the stakeholders involved, and what role utilities play in their development.