Integration Challenges of Immigrants in Smart Cities

Abstract

The most recent interpretations of the concept of smart city (SC) highlight the need for adopting a more holistic vision of SC, which includes other relevant features for understanding the dynamism of urban development and face new challenges. The study of a social entrepreneurship initiative (SPEAK) that aims to empower immigrants living in the main Portuguese cities is the method used in this research to understand the extent to which social innovation can make smart cities more human and sustainable. The results illustrate how a social entrepreneurship initiative can positively impact the creation of social value to immigrants in cities. As the evidence shows, the full integration of foreign migrants in cities may contribute to the sustainable resolution (or avoidance) of many severe social dysfunctions, as well as for the improvement of the quality of life of foreign migrants and local citizens. The approach adopted, based on the empowerment of the human element, is able to produce a sustainable response and contribute to other dimensions of SC.