SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF MUNICIPALITIES AND SMART CITIES CONCEPT IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Rising urbanization is a challenge for sustainable urban development. The UN predicts 70% of urban population by 2050, 80% of global emissions, 75% of energy consumption. Sustainable development can not be achieved without significant change in the way we build and manage our urban areas. Against the background of economic and technological changes caused by the globalization and the integration process, cities in Europe face the challenge of combining competitiveness and sustainable urban development simultaneously. Very evidently, this challenge is likely to have an impact on issues of urban quality droughts and housing, economy, culture, social and environmental conditions. This paper focuses on smart cities concept in the Czech Republic, the transformation, examples and possibilities of economic support.