THE SMART CITY CONCEPT – FOCUSING ON THE PERCEPTION OF CLUJ-NAPOCA RESIDENTS

Abstract

The Smart City concept became a key aspect in the development of municipalities. This study underlines the major components of a Smart City and presents in a comprehensive way what strategies are to be used, by putting in the spotlight one of the best examples of a city which implemented this framework: Cluj-Napoca. With contributors from the academic to the business sector, and including the citizens and their needs, this city in Romania managed to implement projects which helped it to become first in rankings of business openness, safety and quality of life. The conclusions present the significant impact of the Smart City concept, and the focus authorities should have for the involvement of citizens in the strategic decisions and long term vision of the municipality development.