Legal Regulation of Smart City Technologies in Solving Local Issues in Urban Areas

Abstract

The fruits of research and technological progress are being introduced in various spheres of society practically on a daily basis. “Smart technologies”, actively developing in urban space, form “cities of the future”, highly intelligent territories based on advanced innovative technologies that fully meet the needs of modern mankind. The purpose of this article is to analyze the technologies of the “smart city”, the mechanism of their legal regulation, as well the possibility of solving local issues with their help by local governments. Based on general and specific methods of legal research, the authors come to the conclusion that at present in Russia there are both legal and technical opportunities for the population and local governments to resolve issues of local importance using Smart technologies. However, the practice of their implementation indicates the presence of serious difficulties in the process of digitalization of municipalities. According to the authors, the creation of conditions for the introduction of technologies of a smart city must be carried out in all the most important areas of the urban life. Improving the safety and comfort of the urban environment, developing civic participation and increasing the transparency of management, optimizing the use of infrastructure and resources through the introduction of digital solutions can have a multiplier effect and seriously increase the indicators of comfortable life in urban areas. At the same time, although all of the identified areas are somehow consistent with the mechanism for resolving issues of local importance, determined by municipal legislation, examples of their effective development indicate the need for coordinated work at all levels of government — from federal to municipal. In this regard, the relevant legal regulation also needs to be developed, since the existence of ministerial acts is not enough for the coordinated implementation of measures in all areas of the development of “smart cities” in Russia. The authors maintain the need for the development of complex legislation in the sphere mentioned, that would envisage connected powers of public power bodies at all levels, including the municipal level.