Conceptual framework for analyzing smartness in public spaces of informal settlements

The concepts of smartness and informality are seen as two opposing concepts and functions in urban discussions. However, the mentioned concepts may be more similar than different. For example, the development of informal settlements and their public spaces follows self-organizing and daily patterns, similar to what is found in smart developments. Smartness is evolving in the third generation of definitions and components, which, in addition to technology and well-being (present in the first and second generation), puts more emphasis on social concerns that seem to have similarities with the way of life in informal settlements. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to consider the opportunity to conceptualize smartness by referring to public spaces in informal settlements based on an interpretive approach and using the qualitative content analysis method, in which data collection is also based on the library method and document study. The results indicate that the concept of smartness in the public spaces of informal settlements with the components of flexibility, social and ethnic pluralism, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, mobility and dynamism (slow progress), transparency, participation, social capital, social cohesion and unity, local communities Active, bottom-up performance, collective awareness, social trust, supportive systems and networks, social power and sense of belonging are recognized.