Table 1. Summary of key themes and... | Emerald Publishing

Table 1.

Summary of key themes and challenges arising from the Smart-Natural City literature (Source – authors).

Thematic propositions	Research challenges
Taking a ‘whole city’ approach	This steers us toward identifying a place-making and place-keeping approach. How do we bring together the capabilities needed to address a wide range of challenges from infrastructure and environment to smart cities and big urban data?
The value of green and the rise of smart	An influential and substantial body of evidence now exists that emphasises the important role of Green Infrastructure provision in cities in enhancing the health and wellbeing of citizens. How to merge this with the Smart City discourse that is for a more efficient city and services to its citizens; addressing the challenges of low economic performance, unemployment and skills gap; tackling health and wellbeing inequalities; the need for seamless and effective mobility and establishing a low carbon society?
People and their connection with the city	The diagnostic of our case study city, Birmingham, highlighted the disconnect between citizen and city. Approaches are required for the resolution of the tensions between both managing for different goods and services and the frequent differences between the needs or expectations of urban dwellers and the reality of urban landscapes. How to address governance issues to look at the bigger strategic picture including the large numbers of land managers?
Infrastructure and a systems perspective	Delivering a concept of Green Infrastructure that is part of a more holistic narrative for the city came to the fore. How to integrate with other critical systems that provide energy, water, food, houses, public health, employment, transportation, communication, waste management and recreational spaces for economic development and societal benefit? Understanding the city ecosystem so that green infrastructure, biodiversity and climate change agendas can be planned and managed to evolve as part of a smart city? This has to recognise a complex management environment.

Thematic propositions	Research challenges
Taking a ‘whole city’ approach	This steers us toward identifying a place-making and place-keeping approach. How do we bring together the capabilities needed to address a wide range of challenges from infrastructure and environment to smart cities and big urban data?
The value of green and the rise of smart	An influential and substantial body of evidence now exists that emphasises the important role of Green Infrastructure provision in cities in enhancing the health and wellbeing of citizens. How to merge this with the Smart City discourse that is for a more efficient city and services to its citizens; addressing the challenges of low economic performance, unemployment and skills gap; tackling health and wellbeing inequalities; the need for seamless and effective mobility and establishing a low carbon society?
People and their connection with the city	The diagnostic of our case study city, Birmingham, highlighted the disconnect between citizen and city. Approaches are required for the resolution of the tensions between both managing for different goods and services and the frequent differences between the needs or expectations of urban dwellers and the reality of urban landscapes. How to address governance issues to look at the bigger strategic picture including the large numbers of land managers?
Infrastructure and a systems perspective	Delivering a concept of Green Infrastructure that is part of a more holistic narrative for the city came to the fore. How to integrate with other critical systems that provide energy, water, food, houses, public health, employment, transportation, communication, waste management and recreational spaces for economic development and societal benefit? Understanding the city ecosystem so that green infrastructure, biodiversity and climate change agendas can be planned and managed to evolve as part of a smart city? This has to recognise a complex management environment.