Open Data Ecosystem: A Framework for Smart City Initiatives with a Focus on the Private Sector

Abstract

Smart city initiatives are urban strategies aimed at leveraging technology, whereas open data platforms are a crucial component of any efforts to optimise cities through the use of technology. The non-profit association Smart Regio Basel requested insights into the principles of open data platforms in a smart city context, with a focus on exploring how and why businesses might contribute to such a platform. Thus, the following research question was pursued: How to conceptualise open data and smart city as an ecosystem and how to incorporate companies as data providers within such a framework?