Sustainable Finance and Smart Cities

The development of Smart Cities (SC) is inextricably linked to the need to obtain financing for both current projects and long-term investments. Issues related to the financing of Smart Cities, raising funds, their capital structure or financing risks are underexplored, and are de-scribed in a fragmented manner, with reference to individual initiatives or projects. This book argues that the creation of Smart Cities requires a long-term and holistic approach towards financing strategies. It systematizes the issues related to Smart City financing and develops a financing model that considers a lasting, systematic, and complete approach to the development of Smart City solutions. It identifies the opportunities and risks associated with the various sources of financing and the risks of financing in the developed model, and presents complex issues related to urban finance in a structured manner. The book characterizes project and collective financing, (crowdfunding, associations, and foundations), as innovative forms of fundraising and examines the cost of capital and risk vs. green and sustainable financing. The book is illustrated with accessible analyses and practical examples. This book is a comprehensive reference for students and scholars in the fields of public management, public finance and urban planning. It can also be used by both Smart City researchers and practitioners, such as representatives of city governments, municipal governments, and local stakeholders, in the process of analysing and selecting sources of financing for Smart City solutions.

1. Introduction to the research concept 2. Developing Smart Cities in theory and practice 3. Smart Economy - an overview of the issues 4. Cost of capital and risk as criteria for selecting financing sources 5. Budget and public debt as a source of financing for Smart City development 6. Public-private partnerships in financing Smart Cities 7. Sustainability as a driving force for green financing 8. Green financing of Smart Cities 9. Innovative forms of financing Smart Cities 10. Holistic model of financing Smart Cities 11. Discussion and conclusions 12. Summary