Page 14 - U4SSC Blockchain for smart sustainable cities

As a part of the last phase, the aforementioned elements were incorporated into a questionnaire that
was sent to different experts to complete and analyze the use-cases, collect feedback and validate
the critical elements to consider adopting blockchain for smart, sustainable cities. The study was
furthered with the analysis of 20+ decision-making models and frameworks for blockchain adoption
that supported and framed the efforts to provide clear information and directions for informed
decision-making and identifying the situation and the type of blockchain technology that could be
considered as the most appropriate. Based on these analyzes and the findings, a blockchain for city
framework was proposed, along with key considerations for the effective adoption of blockchain
technology for smart city development. Finally, the findings were reflected in research-driven policy
recommendations to guide city leaders and organizations around the world. The recommendations
provided on the use of blockchain for smart and sustainable cities and communities aim to be useful
and appropriate for smart cities in industrialized countries, as well as cities in developing countries.
The framework development, the policy recommendations and the implementation key considerations
also take resources, capabilities, ethics and regulatory aspects into account along with the smartness
and sustainability factors.

The first section of this report highlights the scope of the study on blockchain technology for cities,
along with the approach adopted for the analyzes. Section 2 explores the general characteristics
of blockchain technology and section 3 presents information about smart sustainable cities in the
international context. Section 4 describes the blockchain for cities use-cases and section 5 details the
cross-case analysis and framework development. Finally, section 6 highlights the key considerations
and policy recommendations for urban stakeholders who which to incorporate blockchain technology
for smart city transitions.

2. Unfolding blockchain technology

2.1 Introduction to blockchain technology

Blockchain is an open and shared distributed ledger technology (DLT), which can record transactions
between two parties efficiently, permanently and in a verifiable way. It consists of a shared digital data
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storage, replicated and synchronized across multiple devices in a network. The main objective of DLT
is to establish trust, accountability and transparency, with no reliance on a single source of authority
or in environments where there is a lack of trust between actors. It also promotes decentralization
and data integrity.

Within the smart city ecosystem, the rise of blockchain technology as a transparent and responsible
mechanism for protecting data is paving the way for resolving serious data privacy, security and
integrity challenges.

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