In this research, the author explores smart city concept and analyses the development of cities globally. As there is a lack of common understanding between the cities, industries and civil society, about the possible transition towards a smarter and more sustainable eco-system, author explains the key evolutionary stages and action fields that have been widely accepted in major smart city frameworks.

Acknowledging that each city is unique and the innovation and technological solutions can-not be applied everywhere with the same effects, there is an emphasis on defining the major stakeholder groups that should be considered and involved in the smart city development process, as well as which partnership forms and communication channels can be the most effective. As part of this, open and collaborative innovation strategies are discussed.

As the thesis is commissioned by bee smart city GmbH, a global smart city – focused plat-form, the concept of platform business, and the practical benefits of different types of plat-forms in the smart city context, are explained in detail. During the research, several interna-tional and highly qualitative interviews with city representatives were conducted, and the theoretical insights were confirmed, and enriched by real-life insights.

As a result of this study, author has proposed practical suggestions that would make the stakeholder engagement more effective on a platform level, as well as how new processes can be facilitated online and offline.