REALM Hierarchy of Community Needs

Building People-Centred Iconic Cities

Building an iconic city goes far beyond implementing cutting-edge technology and infrastructure. While these elements are foundational, a truly successful smart city must prioritise people, facilitate business and social connections, city engagement, and well-being. At the heart of every smart city is the community it serves—that includes not just residents but people in businesses of all types, and visitors. By focusing on human needs, smart cities not only meet basic expectations but also build a culture of innovation, happiness, and long-term prosperity.

A smart community that thrives in the modern world is not created solely through technological advancements. Instead, it’s a holistic approach where the city’s infrastructure, facilities, services, and technologies are designed to meet human needs in a sustainable and inclusive way, both physically and psychologically.

REALM’s Hierarchy of Smart Community Needs, a framework inspired by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, outlines the different layers of a smart city’s community development. These layers—Foundation, Connection, and Prosperity—organised in a maturity pyramid, describe the infrastructure, services, and opportunities that a city should provide to enable its community to grow, connect, and thrive.

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The Foundation Layer: Web 1.0 (Read-Only) – Meeting Basic Needs

The foundation layer of a smart community focuses on satisfying the basic expectations that people have of their city. In this layer, fundamental infrastructure and services must be functioning reliably. Residents expect clean streets, access to essential groceries, and quality education for their children. The city needs to provide clear information, safe spaces to walk or exercise, and ensure that employment opportunities and public services like healthcare are accessible.

Technology plays a key role at this stage, with applications focusing on providing essential information: public transport schedules, utility management, contact numbers, and local news. However, at this stage, interaction is often one-directional. City applications distribute information without gathering feedback or encouraging community engagement. The basic needs for safety, usability, and trust are addressed and an element of fun may be introduced to increase adoption, but there is still much more room for development.  

The Connection Layer: Web 2.0 – (Social Participation) Building Engagement and Belonging

As the smart city evolves, it must go beyond merely meeting foundational needs. The next step is the Connection Layer, where community communication becomes multi-directional and interactions flourish. This stage focuses on enabling members to feel a sense of ownership, belonging, and participation in their community.

Platforms and applications at this level are designed to be engaging, inclusive, and accessible. They should allow people to not only receive information but also share their thoughts, provide feedback, and engage in meaningful conversations with city leadership and other community members. Residents might connect on platforms discussing topics like local events, social initiatives, or city planning while visitors ask for advice on how to make their trip more effective and enjoyable.

It’s paramount for the city to be the provider of this technology for it’s at this layer, that the city can harness valuable data from these interactions, gaining insights into public sentiment, understanding the needs and desires of the community, and adapting policies or services accordingly. A feeling of esteem and respect is cultivated as the community realises that their voices matter, contributing to greater involvement and loyalty toward their city.

The Prosperity Layer: Web 3.0 – (De-centralised) User Empowerment and Contribution

The uppermost layer, the Prosperity Layer, represents the pinnacle of a smart community’s development. At this level, people not only feel deeply connected to their city but are also empowered to contribute back to it. This stage represents a self-sustaining, thriving community where members take active roles in building and maintaining the city’s success.

In the prosperity layer, smart cities promote entrepreneurship, community-led initiatives, and local advocacy. Citizens choose to ‘buy locally’, join voluntary activities, share user-generated content like reviews and recommendations, and participate in collaborative city initiatives. New businesses, non-profit organisations, and social enterprises may emerge from this layer, all contributing to the city’s growth and innovation.

A prosperous smart community isn’t just a place where people live—it's where they feel a true sense of purpose. As residents reach their potential, they give back through actions like starting new ventures, supporting community causes, or advocating for city initiatives. This results in a culture of ongoing improvement and collective achievement.

The real success of a smart city lies in this layer, where individuals not only flourish but also drive the prosperity of their environment.

Pioneering Smart Communities

The transition from Foundation to Prosperity in REALM’s Hierarchy of Smart Community Needs is not just a linear progression but represents a positive evolution in community culture. Smart cities must continually strive to meet the physical and emotional needs of their members while creating a shared sense of purpose and community.

When cities understand the motivations and needs of their people, they can create environments where residents feel invested in their community. In doing so, smart cities encourage a vibrant, engaged population—where happy citizens become ambassadors, championing the city’s values and goals, ensuring its long-term success.

The Power of a People-First Approach

In conclusion, smart city development is about more than just deploying technology. It’s about crafting environments where people can thrive. That goes from ensuring basic amenities, and facilitating connections, to encouraging contribution and entrepreneurship—in each case, placing people at the heart of a smart city’s strategy is key.

By focusing on REALM’s hierarchy of needs, city planners and leaders can ensure that their communities are not only connected but empowered. In doing so, they create cities where innovation, well-being, and success become integral parts of daily life. And as this happens, a culture of sustainability, loyalty, and collective prosperity will emerge—leading the city and its people toward a bright future.

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