SMART DECLINE AS A COMPONENT OF SMART CITY APPROACHES: INSIGHTS FROM THREE CZECH TOWNS

The Smart City concept is often perceived primarily as a technological solution for addressing urban issues. However, its implementation also encompasses socio-economic dimensions that extend beyond purely technological approaches. This study examines the potential of the Smart Decline approach as a possible response to urban shrinkage in Czechia. For the purposes of the empirical analysis, the three most shrinking Czech cities were selected. The urban masterplans and strategic plans of these cities were thoroughly analysed. The results reveal that the Smart City concept is considered only minimally in these plans, although one case demonstrates indirect patterns of the Smart Decline approach. The study emphasizes the need to move away from a technocratic perception of the Smart City concept and to integrate more holistic approaches into urban planning, such as Smart Decline, to effectively address demographic and economic challenges while simultaneously implementing technological upgrades.