Abstract

Stemming from the notion of smart city, this contribution underlines the importance that new technologies are assuming, constituting a pivot in achieving the intelligence that cities are striving for, as well as the solution for the reduction of complexity in urban areas. On this basis the Authors analyze the measures adopted by the European Union aiming at fostering financing and investments in digital infrastructures for smart cities. The Authors provide then a compendium of the legislative framework currently enacted in Italy, France and Spain on the subject. They conclude that, according to the results achieved, there is evidence of a tendency towards a multi-speed Europe, with variable levels of digitization and smartness. The situation suggests the adoption of tools for the coordination (vertical and horizontal) of financing policies.