City of Osijek within the concept of smart cities - case study

Rad započinje tumačenjem koncepta pametnih gradova, teme koja je u posljednjih nekoliko desetljeća postala sve relevantnija u sociološkom i urbanističkom diskursu. Teorijskim pregledom koncepcije pametnih gradova nastojalo se postići uvid u karakteristike i kriterije koje grad treba zadovoljavati da bi nosio titulu pametnog grada. Glavni fokus ovog rada smješten je na grad Osijek, kojega se pokušalo promotriti u okviru teorijskog koncepta pametnog grada. Kako bi se teorijski koncept istražio u svakodnevnoj praksi, provedeno je empirijsko istraživanje odnosno studija slučaja, metoda koja je svojom sveobuhvatnosti omogućila istraživanje problematike rada. Kako bi se pokušalo doznati u kojoj mjeri grad Osijek odgovara konceptu pametnog grada, studija slučaja obuhvatila je teorijski pregled gradskih karakteristika, izravno promatranje i intervju sa sugovornicima. Rezultati izravnog promatranja i intervjua su pokazali da u Osijeku postoje mnogobrojne inicijative kojima se nastoji unaprijediti i osuvremeniti grad te ga učiniti održivijim i pametnijim. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da iako postoji mnogo prednosti, grad se na svom putu suočava s različitim izazovima. Unatoč tome čini se da mu sugovornici predviđaju svijetlu budućnost, pod uvjetom da postoji inicijativa, vizija i određena razina entuzijazma.The paper begins with an interpretation of the concept of smart cities, a topic that has become increasingly relevant in sociological and urban discourse in the last few decades. Through a theoretical review of the concept of smart cities, an effort was made to gain insight into the characteristics and criteria that a city should meet to bear the title of smart city. The main focus of this paper is on the city of Osijek, which was tried to be observed within the framework of the theoretical concept of a smart city. In order to investigate the theoretical concept in everyday practice, empirical research was carried out, i.e. a case study, a method which, with its comprehensiveness, enabled the research of work issues. In an effort to try to find out to what extent the city of Osijek corresponds to the concept of a smart city, the case study included a theoretical overview of the city's characteristics, direct observation and interview with the interlocutors. The results of direct observation and interviews have shown that there are numerous initiatives in Osijek that seek to improve and modernize the city and make it more sustainable and smarter. The results of the research have shown that although there are many advantages, the city faces various challenges along the way. Despite this, the interlocutors seem to predict a bright future for him, provided there is initiative, vision, and a certain level of enthusiasm