ORGANIZATIONAL AND SPATIAL FEATURES OF INNOVATION MANAGEMENT IN SMART CITIES DEVELOPMENT

Organizational and spatial features of managing the innovative development of smart cities are a key aspect of their successful transformation. The article examines the organisational and spatial characteristics of innovation management in smart city development. It identifies the role of the cities as centres of innovative development that accumulate intellectual and financial resources, thus facilitating technological and social progress. The research emphasises the challenges of urbanisation that necessitate new development models integrating economic, social, and spatial aspects. The concept of a smart city is analysed as a contemporary approach to urban development management in the digital era. The evolution of this concept from its inception to the present day is examined in part, along with its role in enhancing the efficiency of urban systems and improving citizens’ quality of life. Particular emphasis is placed on key operational mechanisms of smart cities, including integration of ICT infrastructure, analytical processing of collected data, development of interactive citizen engagement, and ensuring sustainable development. The research methodology is based on a systems approach, utilising methods of structural analysis, comparative analysis, and modelling of urban processes. Special attention is devoted to spatial and organisational aspects of fostering innovative development in smart cities under various operational conditions. A significant component of the study is the comparative analysis of the models of spatial innovation development in urban studies. The research highlights the tendency towards combining elements from different models in urban development practice. The primary factors in forming innovative environments in cities are identified. The article examines the approaches to overcoming limitations of basic elements in digital city management through establishing appropriate innovation infrastructure within existing cities, around universities or research centres, or concurrent with the construction of new cities.